Summary
ChemCentral at Byers Hall and Genentech Hall will be our first location that provides bulk chemical dispensing through solvent drums. We have chosen select chemicals for dispensing that will come at a fair price. You can find our operation for dispensing from solvent drums in our stockroom located in Room N543. Access to this room is restricted and will be granted to researchers who have completed and signed off on our required, in-person solvent dispensing training.
Dispensing from solvent drums provides many benefits which includes becoming the more sustainable and convenient method to aquiring the select chemicals we have. This should remove an estimated 6000 gallon sized bottles from the waste stream annually. This will also create more available space for researchers in their lab's work space.
The chemicals will be dispensed and charged by the gallon. The chemicals we have available for dispensing is listed as followed:
- 2-Propanol, ACS Reagent, ≥99.5% (190764-200L)
- Ethanol Absolute, 200 Proof (TX89125-176SFU)
- Hexane, Mixture of Isomers, ACS Reagent, ≥98.5% (178918-200L)
- Methanol, ACS Reagent, ≥99.8% (179337-200L)
Full chemical list and pricing can be found on the Byers & Genentech Hall location specific page.
Requirements
A ChemCentral account must be made prior so that we can process your orders and link the purchase with your lab's account and inventory information.
All researchers who wish to use our dispensing service will need to complete a required, in-person training with one of our ChemCentral staff. We will show and instruct the researchers on how to safely dispense chemicals using our set-up. Once the training is done, you will need to complete our Smartsheet and sign off stating that you have gone through the training. This information will go on our record and from there, we will grant access to the room and provide a limited amount of Safety Cans per lab inventory.
Dispensing can only be done using a certified Safety Can with a max volume intake of 1 gallon. We will be providing each lab with a total of 4 Safety Cans. They will be RFID tagged and added into your lab's inventory as standing containers through an Inventory Transfer Request. Here is our Accepting Transfers Guide.
Dispensing Procedures and Equipment
Review our SOP for dispensing solvent from drums to ensure safe and proper handling during the procedure. This includes the step-by-step instructions, safety precautions, and required equipment/PPE for the process.
SOP: Dispensing Solvent from Drums
Emergency Procedures
Spill
For chemical spills smaller than 1L during regular business hours (M-F, 8-5), evacuate the area and immediately alert a ChemCentral Staff member.
For chemical spills larger than 1L, if someone is injured, or it is outside regular business hours, call 911 from any campus phone or 415-476-6911 to report the spill and contact the EH&S Emergency Response Team for assistance.
Fire
If a small fire occurs, you are trained in the use of fire extinguishers, and you feel safe doing so, use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. If a single extinguisher cannot put out the fire, activate a fire alarm and evacuate the area. Wait for emergency responders to arrive so that you can provide information about the fire. The nearest fire extinguisher is outside either door.
Personnel exposure
There is an emergency eyewash and shower located within the dispensing room. In the event of skin or eye contact, rinse the affected area thoroughly for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing or contact lenses.
