Chemical Hazard Class and Storage Information

Dot Hazard Class	Definition	Examples	Hazards	Storage (Also see Incompatible Chemicals)
Class 1	Thermodynamically unstable material	picric acid, 2, 4- dinitro-phenol, organic azides	Explosion caused by shock or chemical reaction.	Follow manufacture's recommendation. Discard before expiration date. Stores minimum quantities.
Explosive/Shock Sensitive
Class 2: Gasses	Gas with a flash point less than 140° F	carbon monoxide, hydrogen, oxygen	Ignites easily, burns rapidly.	Store away from ignition sources and oxidizers. Secure with a double chain to prevent falling. Store oxygen away from flammable gases. Check connections regularly to avoid leaking.
Flammable Gasses
Non Flamable Gasses (including compressed gas)	Non-flammable, purified gas in a pressurized tank	nitrogen, carbon dioxide	Tank rupture, fire, toxic atmosphere, oxygen displacement	Store upright, secure with a double chain to prevent falling. Check connections regularly to avoid leaking.
Class 3	Liquid with a flash point less 140° F	methanol, acetone, acetaldehyde	Ignites easily, burns rapidly.	Store in flammable storage cabinet, away from ignition sources and oxidizers. Quantities should not exceed 10 gallons.
Flamable Liquid
Class 4	Solid that burns readily.	sodium	Ignites easily, burns rapidly.	Store in flammable storage cabinet, away from ignition source and oxidizers
Flammible Solid
Class 5.1	Agents that react with reducible material to initiate or promote combustion.	nitric acid, bromine	Fire or explosion	Store away from organics and flammables. Do not store directly on wooden shelves or paper. Store chlorine separately from acids
Oxidizer
Class 5.2	Any organic compound that forms unstable peroxides when exposed to air.	diethyl ether	Explosion resulting from formation of concentrated peroxide crystals	Dispose before expiration date. If there is no marked expiration date, label with receipt date and maintain for no more than 1 year or 6 months after opening.
Organic Peroxide
Class 6: Poison	Chemicals that cause damage to target organs (liver, lungs, reproductive system, etc.) if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Toxic chemicals have an LD50 of 50 - 500 mg/kg, single oral dose for rats. Highly toxic chemicals have an LD50 of < 50 mg/kg, single oral dose for rats.	chloroform, chromic acid, phenol, acetonitrile	Acute or toxic effects that may be local, systemic, or both.	Store in a secure, sealed container below shoulder level. Use only in designated areas. Store away from incompatibles.
Toxic
Highly Toxic
Class8: Corrosive	Compound with pH of 1-7, containing carbon.		Tissue damage, violent reaction with strong bases	Segregate from mineral acids, oxidizing acids and bases.
Organic Acid
Inorganic Acid	Compound with pH of 1-7, not containing carbon.	hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, boric acid	Tissue damage, violent reaction with strong bases.	Segregate from organic acids, oxidizing acids and bases.
Caustics	Compound with pH of 7-14.	sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide	Tissue damage, violent reactions with strong acids.	Segregate from mineral acids, organic acids, and oxidizing acids.
Class 9:Miscellaneous	Reacts violently when exposed to water producing heat or toxic gases.	sodium metal, acid anhydrides, metal anhydrides	Explosion, fire, toxic atmosphere	Store away from water, including sprinkler heads, sinks and drains, per manufacturers instructions.
Water Reaction	Ignites spontaneously in air	Phosphorus, lithium	Fire	Store under inert atmosphere per manufacturers instructions.
Pyrophoric	Ignites spontaneously in air	Phosphorus, lithium	Fire	Store under inert atmosphere per manufacturers instructions.
Carcinogen	Chemicals that cause cancer in humans or animals models.	formaldehyde, benzene	Carcinogenesis	Store in a secure, sealed container below shoulder level. Use in only designated areas with approved controls. Store away from incompatibles.
Cryogen	Liquefied or solidified gases at low temperatures.	liquid nitrogen, dry ice	Tissue damage (frost bite), oxygen displacement, tank rupture	Store in approved containers. Store in well ventilated areas. (Do not store dry ice in cold rooms.) Design transfer lines such that liquids cannot be trapped in a non-ventilated part of the system.
Sensitizer	Substances that can cause an allergic reaction of the skin or respiratory system.	glutaraldehyde, isocyanates	Allergic reaction.	Store in secure container taking into account other hazards associated with the substance.
Controlled Substances	Substances specifically controlled by federal law.	narcotics	Theft	Store in a secure, locked location. Maintain a current inventory.
Non-Hazardous

Compatible Storage Classes

Class	Definition	Examples	Hazards	Storage
Flammables	Gasses and solventswith a flash pint less than 140*F and solids that burn easily	methanol, acetone, acetaldehyde	Ignites easily, burns rapidly	Store in flammable storage cabinet, away from ignition sources and oxidizers
Organic Acid	pH 1-7	bromic acid, nitric acid, phenol	Tissue damage, violent reaction with strong bases, fire	segregate from organic acid, oxidizing acids and bases
Inorganic Acid	pH 1-7	hydrochloric; sulfuric, bonic	Tissue damage, violent reaction with strong bases	Segregated from mineral acids, oxidizong acids and bases.
Caustic	Bases
(pH 7-14)	sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide	Tissue damage, violent reactions with strong acids	Segregate from mineral acids, organic acids, and oxidizing acids
Explosive/Shock Sensitive	Thermodynamically unstable material	picric acid
2,4-dinitrophenol
organic azide	Explosion caused by shock or chemical reaction	Follow manufacturer’s recommendation. Discard before expiration date. Store minimum quantities
Water Reactive	React violently when exposed to water to produce heat or toxic gases	sodium metal, acid anhydrides, metal anhydrides	Explosion, Fire, Toxic atmosphere	Store under inert atmosphere or oil per manufacturers instructions.
Peroxide Former	Form unstable peroxides when exposed to air	diethyl ether, sodium amide	Explosion resulting from formation of concentrated peroxide crystals	Store under nitrogen. Dispose before expiration date. If there is no marked expiration date label with receipt date and maintain for no more than 1 year. Mark the date opened and store for a maximum of 6 months after opening. Store minimum quantities.
Pyrophoric	Ignites spontaneously in air	phosphorus metal, lithium	Fire	Store under inert atmosphere per manufacturers instructions.
Oxidizer	Agents that reacts with reducible material to initiate or promote combustion	nitric acid, bromine	Fire, explosion	Store away from organics and flammables. Do not store directly on wooden shelves or paper. Store chlorine separately from acids.
Poison	Chemicals that cause damage to target organs (liver, lungs, reproductive system, etc.) if inhaled, ingested, injected or absorbed through the skin.	chloroform
chromic acid	Acute or chronic toxic effects that may be local, systemic or both.	Store in a secure, sealed container below shoulder level. Use only in designated areas. Store away from incompatibles.ls
Carcinogen	Chemicals that can cause cancer in humans or human mode	formaldehyde, benzene	Carcinogenisis	Store in a secure, sealed container below shoulder level. Use only in designated areas with approved controls. Store away from incompatibles.
Cryogen	Liquefied or solidified gases at low temperatures	iquid nitrogen, dry ice	Tissue damage (frost bite), oxygen displacement, Tank rupture	Store in approved containers. Store in well ventilated areas. (Do not store dry ice in cold rooms.) Design transfer lines that liquids can not be trapped in a non-vented part of the system
Compressed Gas	Purified gas in a pressurized container	nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide	Tank rupture, Fire, toxic atmosphere, oxygen displacement	Store upright, secure to prevent falling, check connections regularly to avoid leaking. Store oxygen away from flammable gases.
Controlled Substances	Substances specifically controlled by federal law	narcotics	Theft	Store in a secure, locked location.
Maintain a current inventory.