Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?

Bob Vila would love this group, post #105,432
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 lbbss
 2008-07-02 09:40:35
 Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
We have a garage and lots of good storage in the Garage attic.
The Garage is mostly insulated, there is a bit of air leak at the
garage door seal and the ceiling is mostly insulated. In the
garage attic there is no insulation on the roof side. As just moved
in, I am not sure if it gets cold enough to freeze in the attic.
I am trying to avoid having fumes from chemicals in the garage,
especially since the garage is attached to the house. We don't keep
any chemicals in the house, just non toxic type of cleaners. We
don't have any outside shed, but I was wondering about storing them in
the garage attic. Would the fumes move back down to the garage?
Or I assume that it all depends on the type of chemicals. I am
hoping that fumes mostly travel up and would escape through t
Is there any webs sites out there that would explain some of these
issues? I would think gallons of paint are safe if they are closed
properly. I would also assume oil is fairly safe. But I have
other types of chemicals that I am concerned about like, verso & paint
thinner, aerosol spray cans, gasoline, wood stain, wood deck sealer
etc. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Home repair


lbbss
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 David Nebenzahl
 2008-07-02 10:04:56
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
On 7/2/2008 9:40 AM lbbss spake thus:

> Is there any webs sites out there that would explain some of these
> issues? I would think gallons of paint are safe if they are closed
> properly. I would also assume oil is fairly safe. But I have
> other types of chemicals that I am concerned about like, verso & paint
> thinner, aerosol spray cans, gasoline, wood stain, wood deck sealer
> etc. Any ideas?

Well, yeah: the first that springs to my mind is a question: why would
you have *any* "fumes" from your stored chemicals? If you've got fumes,
you're doing something wrong, like not hammering on the lids of paint
cans (I see that all the time), not screwing on caps tightly, or just
plain storing them in a sloppy, unsafe manner.

If your chemicals are properly stored and looked after, there should be
no problem storing them in the garage (assuming you also observe other
common-sense precautions, like not storing flammables anywhere near a
source of flame like a water heater, etc.).


--
"Wikipedia ... it reminds me ... of dogs barking idiotically through
endless nights. It is so bad that a sort of grandeur creeps into it.
It drags itself out of the dark abyss of pish, and crawls insanely up
the topmost pinnacle of posh. It is rumble and bumble. It is flap and
doodle. It is balder and dash."

- With apologies to H. L. Mencken
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 Frank
 2008-07-02 13:18:23
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
David Nebenzahl wrote:
> On 7/2/2008 9:40 AM lbbss spake thus:
>
>> Is there any webs sites out there that would explain some of these
>> issues? I would think gallons of paint are safe if they are closed
>> properly. I would also assume oil is fairly safe. But I have
>> other types of chemicals that I am concerned about like, verso & paint
>> thinner, aerosol spray cans, gasoline, wood stain, wood deck sealer
>> etc. Any ideas?
>
> Well, yeah: the first that springs to my mind is a question: why would
> you have *any* "fumes" from your stored chemicals? If you've got fumes,
> you're doing something wrong, like not hammering on the lids of paint
> cans (I see that all the time), not screwing on caps tightly, or just
> plain storing them in a sloppy, unsafe manner.
>
> If your chemicals are properly stored and looked after, there should be
> no problem storing them in the garage (assuming you also observe other
> common-sense precautions, like not storing flammables anywhere near a
> source of flame like a water heater, etc.).
>
>

I agree that if stored in original containers there should be no fume
problem. Storage under ambient conditions is recommended for all
household type chemicals or pesticides that I know of and freezing or
overheating can cause decomposition, so storage in the attic is out.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 cshenk
 2008-07-02 13:56:36
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
"David Nebenzahl" wrote
> AM lbbss spake thus:
>
>> other types of chemicals that I am concerned about like, verso & paint
>> thinner, aerosol spray cans, gasoline, wood stain, wood deck sealer
>> etc. Any ideas?
>
> Well, yeah: the first that springs to my mind is a question: why would you
> have *any* "fumes" from your stored chemicals? If you've got fumes,

Agreed and I'll add, my concern wouldnt be fumes but heat. That uninsulated
attic if he's in the south is going to exceed safe temps for aerosol cans
etc.

Because my garage (attached, not insulated but house on that wall is) is
quite hot in summer, we got a simple storage locker on the screened porch
for such things as gasoline and spray cans. It's vented and in the shade of
the porch. Designed for this type of use, we drilled in a few more vent
holes. We dont have many things to store in it, but the garage is hotter
than the porch. In winter, we move the stuff to the garage.

Rubbermaid I think it is?
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 CL "dnoyeB" Gilbert
 2008-07-02 13:45:03
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
lbbss wrote:

> We have a garage and lots of good storage in the Garage attic.
> The Garage is mostly insulated, there is a bit of air leak at the
> garage door seal and the ceiling is mostly insulated. In the
> garage attic there is no insulation on the roof side. As just moved
> in, I am not sure if it gets cold enough to freeze in the attic.
> I am trying to avoid having fumes from chemicals in the garage,
> especially since the garage is attached to the house. We don't keep
> any chemicals in the house, just non toxic type of cleaners. We
> don't have any outside shed, but I was wondering about storing them in
> the garage attic. Would the fumes move back down to the garage?
> Or I assume that it all depends on the type of chemicals. I am
> hoping that fumes mostly travel up and would escape through t
> Is there any webs sites out there that would explain some of these
> issues? I would think gallons of paint are safe if they are closed
> properly. I would also assume oil is fairly safe. But I have
> other types of chemicals that I am concerned about like, verso & paint
> thinner, aerosol spray cans, gasoline, wood stain, wood deck sealer
> etc. Any ideas?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Home repair
>
>
> lbbss


Some move down, some move up. I would store them where they are more
accessible in case of a spill or something. It would be easier to clean.

You can always put your chemical cabinet near the edge of the garage and
have a vent on it to the outside.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 lbbss
 2008-07-02 17:28:14
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
Yes, but as soon as you open the cabinet, the concentrated fumes and
bad smells enter your garage, so just as well leave them on a regular
shelf.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 Doug Brown
 2008-07-03 19:22:35
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
"lbbss" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:4f00856c-4f18-441f-9c0c-86d06b9e818c@l64g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> Yes, but as soon as you open the cabinet, the concentrated fumes and
> bad smells enter your garage, so just as well leave them on a regular
> shelf.

Concentrated fumes from what? As others have said, if stored and sealed
properly there should be NO fumes.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 Edwin Pawlowski
 2008-07-03 22:50:14
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
"Doug Brown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:X5-dnWI-1NL-5vDVnZ2dnUVZ_qHinZ2d@posted.sasktel...
>
> "lbbss" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:4f00856c-4f18-441f-9c0c-86d06b9e818c@l64g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>> Yes, but as soon as you open the cabinet, the concentrated fumes and
>> bad smells enter your garage, so just as well leave them on a regular
>> shelf.
>
> Concentrated fumes from what? As others have said, if stored and sealed
> properly there should be NO fumes.
>

Right, so why does OSHA have requirements for special cabinets with grounds
and vents? Seems silly if everything is properly sealed.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 gfretwell@aol.com
 2008-07-03 23:15:09
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
On Thu, 3 Jul 2008 22:50:14 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>"Doug Brown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:X5-dnWI-1NL-5vDVnZ2dnUVZ_qHinZ2d@posted.sasktel...
>>
>> "lbbss" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:4f00856c-4f18-441f-9c0c-86d06b9e818c@l64g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>>> Yes, but as soon as you open the cabinet, the concentrated fumes and
>>> bad smells enter your garage, so just as well leave them on a regular
>>> shelf.
>>
>> Concentrated fumes from what? As others have said, if stored and sealed
>> properly there should be NO fumes.
>>
>
>Right, so why does OSHA have requirements for special cabinets with grounds
>and vents? Seems silly if everything is properly sealed.
>

That is for flammables in an occupancy that is not really designed for
it. (no explosion proof containment for the electrical equipment,
dampers on HVAC etc)
It is also the reason why I keep all my fuels out in the shed.
This is triggered by the amount stored. Your secretary can keep a
little bottle of fingernail polish remover in her desk but if you had
gallon or two of the stuff (acetone) you need that cabinet.
Author:
Date:
Subject:
 HeyBub
 2008-07-02 14:08:34
 Re: Where to store Chemicals: Garage or Garage Attic? Fumes travel down?
lbbss wrote:
> We have a garage and lots of good storage in the Garage attic.
> The Garage is mostly insulated, there is a bit of air leak at the
> garage door seal and the ceiling is mostly insulated. In the
> garage attic there is no insulation on the roof side. As just moved
> in, I am not sure if it gets cold enough to freeze in the attic.
> I am trying to avoid having fumes from chemicals in the garage,
> especially since the garage is attached to the house. We don't keep
> any chemicals in the house, just non toxic type of cleaners. We
> don't have any outside shed, but I was wondering about storing them in
> the garage attic. Would the fumes move back down to the garage?
> Or I assume that it all depends on the type of chemicals. I am
> hoping that fumes mostly travel up and would escape through t
> Is there any webs sites out there that would explain some of these
> issues? I would think gallons of paint are safe if they are closed
> properly. I would also assume oil is fairly safe. But I have
> other types of chemicals that I am concerned about like, verso & paint
> thinner, aerosol spray cans, gasoline, wood stain, wood deck sealer
> etc. Any ideas?

Fumes do not factor into the storage location if the containers are properly
closed.

Physical integrity/environment of the containers is really the only factor
to consider: heat, protection from damage, rust, etc. That is, the type of
storage is determined by its effect on the chemicals or the chemicals'
containers, not the chemicals' effect on you.