Hazardous Materials Overview

Permits Hazardous Material Signage Inventories Flammable Liquids Flammable Liquids and         Basements Peroxide Forming Chemicals Pyrophoric Materials Highly Toxic Materials Incompatible Materials

For laboratories, refer to your Chemical Hygiene Plan for standard operating procedures. If you are interested in the disposal of hazardous materials please see our information concerning waste. If you're looking for some general information about frequently used hazardous chemicals please see our information concerning chemicals.

Permits

A Fire Department permit is required to store and use hazardous materials in University buildings. Permits may be obtained directly from the Seattle Fire Department (or other appropriate local authority) through application to the Fire Marshal's Office Permit Section (206.386.1450). Departments are responsible for permit fees.

Permits are required for any quantity of highly hazardous material, and for small to moderate quantities of other materials. (For example, a permit is required for any quantity of highly toxic or unstable material, and for flammable liquids in quantities in excess of five gallons in a building). Contact the Fire Department directly or EH&S Building and Fire Safety Office (206.543.0465) for assistance.

Hazardous Material Signage

Rooms where hazardous materials are stored or used in quantities that exceed certain thresholds, and rooms dedicated to storing hazardous materials are required to have a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond sign on all doors. Call EH&S Building and Fire Safety Office at 543-0465 for further information and signs.

Inventories are necessary to verify that aggregate materials quantities within buildings are in compliance with the Uniform Fire Code. They are also necessary for Fire Department hazardous material permits and for EH&S to produce required University Community Right-to Know reports. Departments maintain hazardous material inventories and after-hours emergency phone numbers in MyChem. Primary investigators and other faculty and staff using hazardous materials must be prepared to provide assistance to emergency services in the event of a hazardous spill, fire or other emergency.

Brief Fire Code and Hazardous Material Overview

Flammable Liquids: The quantity of flammable liquids in a single laboratory stored outside of an approved flammable liquids cabinet must not exceed 10 gallons. All 10 gallons, unless in use, must be stored in approved containers as indicated in the table below.

Peroxide Forming Chemicals: Peroxides may form in some organic compounds by autoxidation. Peroxides can cause serious accidents and, in some circumstances, become low power explosives that can be set off by shock, sparks or other forms of ignition. Some organic compounds form peroxides in a matter of months under the right circumstance. Be aware of organic compounds in your lab and remember to mark the expiration date on each container and review them periodically for disposal. Ether is an example of a peroxide forming chemical. Click here obtain a Peroxide Forming Compounds Assessment Guideline.  For technical support, contact Chemical Waste at 616-5835.

Pyrophoric Material: Pyrophoric material is a material that will spontaneously ignite when it comes into contact with air. This material is only permitted in fire sprinkler protected laboratories in very small quantities (4 pounds aggregate per zone). Potassium metal is an example of a pyrophoric material. Extreme precaution is required when working with this type of material.

Highly Toxic Material: Materials classified as highly toxic are only permitted in small quantities in University buildings (Up to 10 pounds per zone). Highly toxic gas, like Arsine, is not allowed in any quantity without engineering controls and a special permit from the Seattle Fire Department.

Incompatible Materials: Incompatible materials are materials which, when in contact with each other, have the potential to react in a manner that generate heat, fumes, gases, or byproducts which are hazardous. For quantities of greater than 5 pounds or 1/2 gallon, separation by not less than 20 feet, approved cabinets, or a noncombustible partition is required. Smaller quantities should also be isolated whenever practical. A common violation is flammable liquids stored with oxidizers.

Flammable Liquids and Basements: The International Fire Code prohibits storage of flammable liquids in basements. However, there are two general exceptions as follows that apply to the University of Washington:

Existing grandfathered Class H Occupancy rooms (i.e., chemical stockrooms design specifically for bulk storage of flammable liquids). New Class H occupancy rooms for flammable liquids are not allowed in basements.

Laboratories conforming to Seattle Fire Department’s (SFD) Administrative Rule 34.03.04, "Flammable Liquid Storage and Use in Basement Level Laboratories." This rule is retroactive and applies to all laboratories but some of the engineering controls may be waived if quantities are kept below 5 gallons within an individual laboratory. All administrative requirements must be met.

Contact EH&S Building and Fire Safety at 543-0465 for assistance in assessing requirements and obtaining SFD permits for storage and use of flammable liquids in basements.