Compare Calcium and Sodium Hypochlorite

[tcjones]

This is off the main topic, but someone brought up the fact the Cal hypo exploded in a warehouse. could someone tell me what would cause this to happen. I am concnered about how I should store mine.

Hal

I used to do emergency response to chemical spills and we once responded to a pool chemical distributor that had a huge fire.

The cause of the fire: Rain water into an open window reacted with the granular chlorine that was being improperly stored there.

Keep your cal hypo stored in a dry place.

[jereece]

I have an MSDS for CaOCL that says "A fire or explosion may result if calcium hypochlorite is mixed with other chemicals, including other pool chlorinating compounds, cyanuric acid, or pool treatment chemicals, contaminated with acids or brought into contact with any easily combustible materials such as oil, kerosene,gasoline, paint products and any other organic materials." In an emergency response class once I saw a movie where someone poured oil or diesel fuel onto some CaOCL and within a few minutes it ignited into a large fire.

[bdavis]

More on the warehouse fires from calhypo.
From the Northeast Ohio Fire Prevention Association:
"As a Class 3 oxidizer, cal hypo is generally considered to be the most dangerous of the common pool sanitizing chemicals as its presence in several fires involving big box retailers such as Sam’s Club, Lowes, and Walmart, has resulted in fires so intense that they completely overcame the sprinkler systems and in several cases led to the total destruction of the facility."

http://www.neofpa.org/Pool%20Chemicals.pdf

I'm a calhypo user myself, and use caution with handling it.

Cheers

[cleancloths]

Slight amounts of moisture create a highly exothermic reaction with hypochlorites. That is why you ALWAYS add the chemicals TO water and NEVER add water TO the chemicals!!!!