F. Storage Arrangement. The quantity of organic peroxide formulations and pile height/width
limits stored in a single area shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities specified in
table 2-11 of NFPA standard 43B. Unsealed or open packages of organic peroxides shall not be
permitted in the storage area at any time. Fifty-five gallon drums of organic peroxides shall be
stored only one-drum high. Incompatible materials shall not be stored in the same storage area
with organic peroxides. Bulk storage in bins or piles shall not be permitted.
G. Reference. Additional information can be found in NFPA standard 43B, Code for the
Storage of Organic Peroxide Formulations.
4.17 DoD Storage Type R: Reactive Material Storage
A. Purpose. This storage area should be used to store materials that are air and/or water
reactive (spontaneously combustible or pyrophoric) or water reactive (dangerous when wet), but
not simultaneously in the same room. Also, lithium batteries are stored in this area.
B. Hazard Considerations. The risk of fire is the principal hazard associated with
spontaneously combustible or water reactive (dangerous when wet) materials. Some of these
materials may also emit toxic gases when burning. Nearly all hazardous materials handled by
facilities and classified as spontaneously combustible or dangerous when wet are flammable.
However, since such materials may ignite upon contact with air and/or water, they should not be
stored with flammable liquids or solids because they provide the ignition source required for
flammable materials to catch fire. Title 49 CFR requires that these materials be packaged in
clean, dry, waterproof, airtight containers meeting the Performance Oriented Packaging drum
configuration such as 1A2, when offered for transportation. Consult DOT Regulations (Title 49)
for the exact packaging configuration. The same packaging requirement also applies to these
materials when stored at freight terminals or warehouse facilities. These materials do not present
an unacceptable storage risk when (1) properly stored in an environment compatible with the
material, (2) stored in original containers, (3) handled with care to avoid container damage, and
(4) the manufacturer's recommended shelf-life items are not exceeded.
The following additional hazard considerations for water and/or air reactive materials also apply:
1. Significant fire hazards are associated with spontaneously combustible materials that may
be water and/or air reactive. Significant quantities of heat are released during reactions, making
combustible material capable of self-ignition. Therefore, incompatible materials should not be
permitted in reactives storage areas. Materials such as aluminum hydride, aluminum alkyls,
yellow phosphorous, and other similar chemicals must be stored in a manner that prevents
contact with air. Yellow phosphorous, for example, must be stored underwater. On the other
hand, materials such as aluminum alkyls that react with both air and water must be stored under a
liquid or gas that is inert to the material.
2. Dangerous when wet water reactive materials such as anhydrides, carbides, hydrides,
sodium hydrosulfite, and similar chemicals, must be stored in dry areas and kept off the floor by
use of pallets or rack storage. Dangerous when wet materials should never be stored directly
beneath active water sprinklers.
4-19
