[NHCOLL-L:3591] Re: EtOH specimen storage cabinet supplier?

[John E Simmons]

If you are trying to bring the storage of these specimens into compliance
with code, then first thing you need to do is call your university safety
office and discuss with them what they want to bring you into compliance.
Remember that fire codes are written to cover bulk storage of 95% ETOH and
storage of retail liquor, and nothing in between--your local safety
officials will have to decide what they want you to have to be in
compliance.  The interpretation of fire code varies widely, and depends on
factors such as the occupation of the room and building, the quantity of
alcohol involved, etc. At one extreme, people are allowed to use open
shelving (which allows any escaping vapors to dissipate); some people have
to use safety cabinets (ugly yellow metal things that supposedly reduce the
danger from an explosion); at the other extreme you may have to move the
specimens to a separate bunker.  It pays off to sit down and discuss the
issue thoroughly with your local safety officials to that they understand
what you have and what you do with the specimens--don't expect them to
intuitively understand that these are research specimens that you need ready
access to.

You are probably going to have to get an explosion containing safety
cabinet, so once you have the requirements from your local officials, check
with someone like Lab Safety Supply for a model number, and then start
comparison shopping.  If your university has a contract with Fisher
Scientific or someone like that, it might be your best deal.  You should
also check with your university chemistry department to see what they use.

--John

John E. Simmons
Museologica
1528 ½ Puddintown Road
State College, Pennsylvania 16801
simmons.johne at gmail.com
303-681-5708


On 10/3/07, Gary Shugart <gwshugart at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>  Does anyone have a supplier of cabinets for storage of EtOH preserved
> specimens, mostly herps.  Currently the specimens are housed in five 5' wide
> x 7' tall  x 1 ' deep cabinets with sliding doors.  Each has about five
> shelves and are sturdy bookcases, but do not meet building code.
>
> Gary Shugart
> Collections Manager
> Slater Museum of Natural History
> University of Puget Sound
> Tacoma, WA 98416
> 253 879-3356 (museum) 206 463-2169 (home)
> gshugart at ups.edu, gwshugart at hotmail.com
> http://www.ups.edu/slatermuseum.xml
> http://digitalcollections.ups.edu
>
>
>
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