From:
Craig Merlic <merlic**At_Symbol_Here**CHEM.UCLA.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Flammable cabinets and termites
Date:
Aug 28, 2023 19:58 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<2D7ED8A0-FD43-4948-9231-122F73006D5A**At_Symbol_Here**chem.ucla.edu>
In-Reply-To:
Jennifer,
Although it seems surprising, flammable storage cabinets can be made from wood.
https://scimatco.com/pages/why-should-i-buy-a-scimatco-metal-free-acid-cabinet-1
In addition to fire rating, you need to consider the structural integrity of the damaged cabinets. A massive fire at Ohio State University that destroyed two labs was caused when a shelf on a solvent cabinet collapsed spilling out hexane solvent.
https://pubsapp.acs.org/cen/news/83/i21/8321ohio.html
Sadly, that is not the only solvent shelf collapse leading to terrible consequences that I know of. So, be sure to have any damaged wooden cabinets inspected for structural integrity by a qualified carpenter.
If you replace the cabinets remember to consider self-closing doors as they are required in some states.
Best,
Craig
Craig A. Merlic
Professor of Chemistry, UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Executive Director, UC Center for Laboratory Safety
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> on behalf of "Jennifer L. Gile" <00001941b0f60f67-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Date: Monday, August 28, 2023 at 11:52 AM
To: <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Flammable cabinets and termites
Reaching out for advice on how to handle a unique situation. Several of our flammable storage cabinets are wood, and today I found abundant evidence of termites in two of them.
I've already contacted facilities management for the pest control, but what I'm unsure of is how this impacts the fire rating on the cabinet. The cabinets are built in to a larger unit (not free standing)
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