Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:23:56 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
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From: ILPI <info**At_Symbol_Here**ILPI.COM>
Subject: Re: Chemical Storage Cabinets
In-Reply-To: <c6e3.314227dd.3950c20f**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com>

Usual disclaimer: my company sells the items in this discussion, but is just one of dozens of vendors, of course.  Just giving advice with examples I can easily point to.

Monona is right.  For "corrosives" you want one cabinet for acids and one for bases.   I recommend 100% polyethylene cabinets for either - don't go for metal storage cabinets for those and be sure the two cabinets are not located next to each other.  For small laboratories, the 4 gallon size is ideal http://www.safetyemporium.com/ILPI_Site/WebPagesUS/safety/cabinets.h tm

Be sure those corrosives cabinets are clearly labeled ACID and BASE otherwise folks will put the ammonium hydroxide in there next to the (incompatible) hydrochloric acid.   And remember that even within those categories, there can still be incompatible chemicals that shouldn't be stored together so check your inventory and MSDS's.   We sell ACID and BASE labels but can also supply custom labels with warnings about incompatibles that should not be stored in the cabinet if you need that:  http://www.safetyemporium.com/ILPI_Site/WebPagesUS/safety/cabin etlabels.htm

On the flammable cabinets, I believe that CA code requires the doors to be self-closing, so you may want to double check that with your local fire marshal.  The cheapest cabinets are the manual door models.    As Ed already mentioned, the smaller cabinets can be used under a hood, on  the floor or on a bench, so there is a nice versatility in placement.  In addition, wall-mounted units are available for mounting above a bench.   And there are ones designed for under-bench mounting which come with a toe-kick.  http://www.safetyemporium.com/ILPI_Site/WebPagesUS/safety/flammabl es.htm  So put some thought into the size(s) you need and where you might locate them as well as the price.

One final consideration you'll want to think about is security.  Some cabinets come with locks and others do not.  It's easy enough to add a padlock hasp to metal cabinets in the latter case (either by special order or after-market). 

Rob Toreki

On Jun 21, 2010, at 9:24 AM, ACTSNYC**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com wrote:


I am working with a Christian high school chemistry program that would like
    to purchase chemical storage cabinets for corrosives and flammable liquids.


For me, the most important thing to remember about this request is that at least two different types of cabinets will be needed.  One obviously is for flammables.  But the term "corrosives" is not very descriptive and both acids and alkalis could be involved requiring a third type of cabinet.

Monona

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