Provide a high-level example of a reactive hazard control for a storage tank.

• A. Paint the tank bright colors.
• B. Ignore venting.
• C. Segregate materials, maintain low temperature, install venting and inerting where needed, monitor peroxides, and train staff.
• D. Remove all alarms.

Answer: (C)

Preventing unintended chemical reactions in a storage tank comes from layering protective controls that manage both the environment and the people handling the materials. The best example combines several practical measures: segregating incompatible materials so they can’t contact each other; keeping the stored materials at a low temperature to slow or suppress exothermic reactions; providing venting to relieve pressure and release potentially hazardous gases; using inerting where oxygen could fuel a reaction; monitoring for reactive species like peroxides that can form and pose explosion risks; and training staff so they know how to operate safely and respond to warning signs.

These elements address the real ways reactivity hazards arise in storage: physical separation, controlled conditions, gas management, detection of dangerous formation (peroxides), and competent, informed personnel. The other options fail to address these hazards: painting the tank doesn’t reduce reactivity, ignoring venting allows dangerous pressure and gas buildup, and removing alarms eliminates vital warnings that help prevent or respond to unsafe conditions.