Storage class 10-13, is it worthwhile to be specific?

According to the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances 510 – Storage of hazardous substances in non-stationary containers – it is possible to indicate storage class 10-13. But is it worthwhile to be more specific about the storage class?

In TRGS 510, the storage class was introduced as a system for classifying hazardous substances in order to assess their joint storage possibilities. The idea behind this is the principle that joint storage must not result in an elevated overall hazard.

Three scenarios are possible for determining storage classes:

• Joint storage is possible.
• Joint storage is possible under certain conditions that must be adhered to.
• Joint storage is not possible.

Hazardous substances with more than one hazard

Storage classes are created hierarchically, following a defined order. This means that if a hazardous substance presents more than one hazard, its worst type of hazard is assigned as the storage class. This means there is only one storage class for each hazardous substance. If a hazardous substance is acutely toxic and explosive, it will be classified as storage class 1 due to the explosiveness.

What is included in storage class 10-13?

This aggregate storage class includes flammable solids as well as non-flammable substances and liquids that have not been assigned to any other storage class. Flammable storage classes (12 and 13) in particular can, without limitation, be stored with more storage classes than flammable storage classes (10 and 11). It is therefore worthwhile to break up storage class 10-13 when non-flammable hazardous substances with storage class 12 or 13 are concerned. These can even be used as a barrier to separate storage. The combined storage class 10-13 is treated as storage class 11 in terms of the joint storage classification.

Sources: Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances 510, as of 30/11/2015