What container must be separated 12 inches apart during storage?

The requirement for containers to be stored 12 inches apart primarily relates to maintaining safety and ensuring proper ventilation. When it comes to the storage of chemicals, particularly hazardous materials, creating sufficient space can prevent the possibility of accidental reactions or spills from occurring in close proximity. In this context, smaller containers—like those holding 1 gallon or less—are typically used for more reactive or hazardous substances, and it is crucial to allow enough space between them.

By keeping smaller containers separated by a minimum of 12 inches, it reduces the risk of one container heating up and affecting the others, thereby minimizing the potential for fire hazards, chemical reactions, or spills that could occur if they were stored too closely together. Storing larger containers or those with less hazardous materials may not require the same level of precaution, allowing for different spacing guidelines based on specific regulatory or industry standards. This emphasizes the importance of specific guidelines around hazardous materials in smaller quantities, which warrants the need for that distance in storage.