According to safety reports from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 40% of fire and explosion incidents and analytical result errors in laboratories stem directly from the management and storage of reagents. Incorrect classification can easily lead to chemical degradation or acute hazards to personnel.

When constructing a laboratory according to ISO 17025, EHS safety management and storage environment control are mandatory. The chemical storage plan in the laboratory needs to be thoroughly standardized, from floor plan design to hardware equipment.

This article analyzes the entire process of classifying incompatible chemicals and planning specialized storage facilities. We will explore the application of smart storage equipment from Duc Duong to meet stringent accreditation criteria.

1. Planning of a Separate Chemical Storage Room

1.1 Strategic Location Adjacent to Weighing Room and Analysis Room

ISO-compliant laboratory management requires optimizing chemical flow to minimize the risk of spills and breakage. A standard layout for a Chemical Storage Room is a separate, enclosed room, located adjacent to the Weighing Room and Analysis Room.

This spatial connection allows technicians to safely move raw samples from storage cabinets to weighing scales and analytical equipment. The short travel distance prevents the risk of organic solvent leakage into nearby microbiological areas.

1.2 Ventilation Requirements and EHS Warning Labeling

Chemical storage areas must be equipped with a forced-extraction ventilation system designed to extend to the factory floor. This technical arrangement effectively removes dense organic solvent vapors that accumulate under the cabinets.
The warehouse walls are constructed with fire-resistant panels, and the floor is coated with acid-resistant epoxy according to TCVN 5507:2002 standards. Warehouse doors are marked with GHS hazard warning symbols to restrict access for unauthorized personnel.

2. Incompatible Chemical Classification Matrix

2.1 Principle of Isolating Incompatible Chemical Groups

To meet the requirements of ISO 17025, the laboratory must develop a matrix for classifying incompatible chemicals. We must absolutely not store strong inorganic acids (HCl, H2SO4) in the same space as concentrated bases (NaOH, KOH) or volatile organic solvents.
The contact between acid vapors and organic solvent vapors generates extremely high heat, posing an acute fire and explosion hazard. This mechanical isolation preserves the chemical’s standard toxicity and ensures EHS safety.

Chemical Group	Incompatible Groups (Repelling Each Other)	EHS Reaction Risks
Strong inorganic acids (HCl, H2SO4, HNO3)	Concentrated bases, flammable solvents, alkali metals	High heat generation, chemical splashing, acute explosion
Organic solvents (Acetone, Ethanol, Ether)	Strong oxidizers (CrO3, KMnO4), concentrated acids	Ignition, explosion, release of toxic gases
Strong oxidizers	Reducers, metal powders, organic materials	Spontaneous combustion, production of dangerous toxins

2.2 Safe Shelf Placement Rules

Cauldronous corrosive liquid chemical bottles must be placed on low shelves below eye level (< 1.5 m). Each chemical bottle must be placed in a secondary spill containment tray made of solvent-resistant plastic.
All storage locations must have an updated Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS). This arrangement process facilitates easy operation for technicians and eliminates the risk of breakage from falls.

3. Selection of Specialized Storage Equipment

3.1 Standard Construction of Explosion-Proof Chemical Storage Cabinets

Storage areas for volatile liquids require specialized explosion-proof chemical storage cabinets. Equipment manufactured according to NFPA 30 standards features a double-layer steel structure with a thickness of 1.2 mm and an insulation gap of 38 mm.
The cabinet walls are coated with heat-resistant epoxy powder coating and incorporate a 3-point safety lock. The automatic door closing mechanism shuts off the heat source when the room temperature exceeds 74°C, cutting off contact with the solvent.

3.2 Specialized Corrosion-Resistant Acid and Alkali Storage Cabinets

For highly corrosive solutions, we equip our cabinets with acid/alkali storage cabinets made entirely from high-grade Polyethylene (PE) plastic. The monolithic cabinet structure contains no metal parts, preventing rust caused by escaping acid vapors.
The cabinet bottom integrates a 50mm deep spill tray to collect all liquid in case of bottle leaks. This hardware solution protects the warehouse infrastructure.

4. Applications of TOGA Safe Smart Chemical Storage Cabinets

4.1 Closed-loop recirculating carbon adsorption principle

To thoroughly treat toxic fumes in warehouses, Duc Duong provides large-scale smart chemical storage cabinets from the TOGA Safe series. The product’s technical specifications are officially synchronized with the manufacturer’s website GT Scien – TOGA Clean System.

The convection fan continuously draws solvent vapor through a high-density activated carbon filter assembly. The mechanical filtration process retains all toxic gas molecules and releases clean air back into the lab without the need for outdoor exhaust piping.

4.2 Toxic Vapor Concentration Monitoring System

The TOGA Safe cabinet integrates a digital display showing the concentration of chemical vapors in the environment in real time. The sensor system automatically emits an audible warning when the filter reaches saturation and needs replacement.
This intelligent feature helps managers proactively maintain the equipment. Therefore, warehouse staff are completely protected from the risk of exposure to volatile chemicals.

Smart chemical storage cabinets are indispensable for storing laboratory chemicals

5. Control of Temperature and Humidity Environment and Handling

5.1 ISO 17025 Temperature and Humidity Standards for Reagents

To maintain testing capabilities to achieve ISO 17025 certification, the warehouse environment must be strictly controlled in terms of temperature and humidity. The temperature in the Chemical Warehouse needs to be maintained at 20°C – 25°C, and the humidity <= 65% RH.

To quickly check the moisture content of raw material powders before storage, we use the Kett FD-800 Infrared Moisture Analyzer distributed by Duc Duong. The product uses synchronized technical data from Kett Japan.

Infrared moisture analyzers are essential equipment for preserving chemicals in the laboratory

5.2 SOP for Liquid Chemical Transfer Using Micropipettes

When measuring liquid standard solutions, technicians must adhere to the correct technical procedures. Reverse pipetting helps control the volume of highly viscous or volatile liquids.
We release the liquid slowly along the side of the test tube to avoid tearing the fluid. This standard procedure eliminates the risk of releasing toxic aerosol droplets into the cleanroom environment.

6. Establishing a Traceability Record and Incident Response Plan

6.1 Digital Inventory Management

Data transparency is a crucial condition for a lab to receive ISO 17025 certification. Each chemical bottle entering the warehouse must have a barcode to track its expiration date and record the date of first opening.
Digitizing the management log on LIMS software allows for quick traceability of reagents. Complete traceability records help the lab pass rigorous re-evaluations.

6.2 Emergency Chemical Spill Response Kit

The Chemical Storage must be equipped with an Emergency Chemical Spill Kit. This kit includes dry sand, absorbent booms, and acid-resistant personal protective equipment.
Periodically, every 6 to 12 months, the EHS department needs to inspect the cylinders and calibrate the cabinet sensors. This control procedure helps maintain the safety of the entire lab.

Conclusion

Adhering to proper chemical storage procedures in the laboratory is fundamental to protecting EHS safety and improving the accuracy of tests. The design of a separate chemical storage facility, adherence to a chemical incompatibility classification matrix, the installation of explosion-proof chemical storage cabinets, the application of TOGA Safe smart air filtration cabinets, temperature and humidity control with Kett FD-800 balances, and the maintenance of digital logbooks all contribute to achieving ISO 17025 certification for the laboratory. Simultaneously, this standardized management system helps the facility comprehensively meet the stringent criteria for obtaining international ISO 17025 certification. Duc Duong Company is committed to providing comprehensive consulting services for warehouse design and supplying safe, standard-compliant chemical storage cabinets.

Customers requiring consultation on chemical warehouse planning and a quote for genuine smart chemical storage cabinet systems are welcome to contact and register with DUC DUONG SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANY for dedicated service.

 

 

DUC DUONG SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANY

Address: 1014/67 Tan Ky Tan Quy, Binh Hung Hoa Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: (028) 3762 8042 – 3762 8043 – 3750 8514 – 3750 8793

Fax: 028 37628043

Email: ducduong@ducduongco.com

Website: ducduongco.com

ZALO OA: DUC DUONG SCI