A different hazard from a solvent
MIE APQ-9 under Royal Decree 656/2017 sets conditions for storing organic peroxides and self-reactive substances in Spain. Its scope starts above five kilograms, subject to the instruction’s qualifications and exclusions. Excluded storage still needs to follow manufacturer information and product safety conditions. A small quantity does not make hazardous decomposition harmless.
Within chemical storage, these products require a dedicated decision. Their behaviour depends on formulation and conditions such as temperature or contamination. Rules for a flammable liquid cannot simply be applied because the two products share a hazard pictogram.
Storage group and temperature
APQ-9 defines storage groups using its own criteria connected with classification, transport and burning behaviour. Determine the group from appropriate technical information rather than inferring it solely from the substance name or a familiar product family.
Thermal requirements are product-specific. Cooling, heating, temperature indication and alarms may be needed depending on the circumstances. There is no single temperature at which every organic peroxide can be safely stored. The design must also consider failures of control systems and a prepared response.
Segregation and permitted activities
The instruction requires dedicated storage and restricts the presence of other substances and operations. A storage area must not become a convenient formulation or transfer location. Approved packaging and incompatibility controls need to remain effective during receipt, storage and dispatch.
For example, replacing a formulation with an apparently equivalent one may change its storage group or thermal requirements. Review the information before accepting delivery and check that the installation remains suitable for the replacement product.
The cabinet must address the right hazard
The ministerial guide clarifies that a cabinet tested for flammable liquids under UNE-EN 14470-1 is not thereby justified for peroxides or self-reactive substances. These installations have specific construction, ventilation, temperature and emergency pressure relief requirements.
Documentation needs to connect product identity, quantities, storage group, construction and maintenance. Personnel need instructions and preparation for abnormal conditions. This entry helps identify the applicable regime; it does not provide instructions for stabilising a decomposing product or designing relief devices without competent engineering. Such decisions require the particular formulation, installation and manufacturer’s technical information.
