[Histonet] formalin storage

[Smith, Allen]

Formaldehyde is flammable; formalin is not.  Above 122 degrees Fahrenheit enough formaldehyde evaporates from formalin to create a modest fire hazard in the fumes just above the liquid.  Try this: pour 3 ml of formalin (37% formaldehyde) into a watch glass under a fume hood (fan off).  Touch a match to it. The match will flare briefly in the fumes and that is all (unless the temperature is above 122 F).

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jean Warren
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 9:25 AM
To: Riesen, Rebecca; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] formalin storage

No, it is ridiculous. Safety people tried to argue this with us years ago. 
One of our pathologists told them, "How can something that is almost 90% 
water be a combustion hazard?"


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Riesen, Rebecca" <Rebecca.Riesen <@t> nchmd.org>
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 9:15 AM
Subject: [Histonet] formalin storage




We have been directed by our Safety Officer to store all formalin (37%
and 10% NBF) in a flammable storage room, cabinet or container.  Yes,
37% Formalin we do store in this manner, but I have never heard of this
requirement for 10%NBF.  I looked on line to many MSDS sheets from
different vendors and found only one that stated such storage
requirements for 10% NBF.  During this search I found all but one
company states that formalin is not flammable.  I brought this to the
Safety Officer.  He agrees that it is not "flammable" but that it IS
"combustible".  Combustible=Flash point of 100F to 200F.  Of the dozen
sites I visited I found the following data concerning the Flash Point of
10% NBF: from "NA / >200F / 122F to 185F".  The NFPA (National Fire
Protection Agency) guideline of no more than 1 gallon in a flammable
storage container and 1 gallon outside of a safety cabinet/container per
100 square feet is already quite limiting.  Using this guideline, we
have calculated acceptable volumes of the known flammables (Alcohols and
Xylenes) we can store.  Adding 10% NBF to the equation will have us
traveling to our "bulk" storage area constantly.  Does anyone out there
store 10%NBF in flammable cans/cabinets?
Riesen, Rebecca
Rebecca.Riesen <@t> nchmd.org
NCH Healthcare Systems
Direct 239-436-5000 x2188
Fax 239-436-6767


Visit our website at http://www.nchmd.org


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