Central Chemical Receiving Facility (CCRF)

Central Chemical Receiving Facility (CCRF) Overview

About CCRF

• The Lab has implemented a Central Chemical Receiving Facility (CCRF) to facilitate and control the arrival of hazardous chemicals and gases. Benefits include:

  • • Timely radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging of chemicals

    • Accurate CMS inventory

    • Reduced impact to researcher time

• The CCRF is temporarily located at B26.  It is owned and managed by the EHS Division Research Support Team, in partnership with Facilities Division Shipping & Receiving (S&R) at B69. A permanent facility, positioned to work in synergy with B69 S&R, will be implemented once approval and funding are secured. 

• Direct-to-customer deliveries will continue for gas cylinders. Environment, Health, & Safety Division (EHS) has implemented field support for toxic gases to ensure these are RFID tagged and entered upon arrival. 

About the Process

• Most FMS/eBuy/ePro orders containing hazardous chemicals will be routed by B69 Shipping & Receiving Staff to B26 CCRF for processing prior to delivery to the customer

• CCRF Staff will systematically inspect, RFID tag, and verify/enter information into the Chemical Management System (CMS)

• Changes to receiving and processing typically adds about one day delay from arrival at LBNL to delivery to customers. Please plan ahead when possible to anticipate this impact to your hazardous chemical orders.   

• If your package is not processed at the CCRF, you are responsible for RFID tagging and "receiving" hazardous chemicals/gases in CMS (or manually entering them as necessary)

How to determine if your package has been processed by the CCRF

Stickers and printed notices are used to communicate CCRF processing and any follow up actions required. 

These both help communicate specific follow-up actions you will need to perform upon receiving your package via the color/shape of the sticker and checkboxes as marked by CCRF Staff.  Stickers and notices also convey information about the chemicals, such as if they are non-hazardous (CMS tracking not required) or time-sensitive chemicals.  Stickers are typically placed near the LBNL shipping label.  Notices are typically placed either inside of the package, or with the packaging slip (e.g. if package was not opened). 

Examples and additional information provided below. 

Shipping Label Stickers

Customer Notices

Be on the lookout for customer notices inside your package!

You will find notices in package(s) processed by CCRF that have helpful information and QR codes to help you navigate to associated resources if needed.  Notices correlate with either the "Round/Green" or "Square/Orange" sticker that is placed near the shipping label on your package.  These notices communicate actions that  need to be taken by you if all required actions could not be completed by CCRF Staff. Below are examples of the notices you'll be receiving, including QR codes that were recently added.

Checking for RFID Tags

It is important to confirm that RFID tags have been added to each hazardous chemical container when you open packages that you receive.  The exception is if static inventory RFID tagging is used, which is prohibited for toxic and greenhouse gases and NOT recommended for time-sensitive chemicals.  RFID tracking technology helps the Lab maintain an accurate chemical inventory, which is an important part of chemical stewardship for a safe and compliant workplace.    

There are two primary types of RFID tags used at LBNL, "flat" and "flag" tags.  At the CCRF, we will select the most appropriate type and placement of RFID tags for a specific container based on current best practices. 

Flag tags are useful in that they can be easily seen and read.  They also take up less space on chemical containers. However, flag tags have shown adhesion issues, which is a serious concern for accurate inventory tracking.  Reinforcement of flag tags with clear label protectors or tape is recommended to ensure tags stay on for a longer time. 

The CCRF began introducing flat RFID tags starting in January 2023. Flat RFID tags serve the same function as flag tags, but have a stronger adhesive and are quicker to apply.  However, flat tags require more space on the chemical container, which could potentially obscure important label information.  Metal containers and large quantities of liquids may cause interference with reading the RFID signal.  

Based on these attributes, flat tags will be used when possible. In general, smaller containers will have flag tags. 

You can read more about RFID technology on the main RFID page. 

Toxic Gas Receiving Process and Field Support

EHS is building on the existing process of direct-to-customer delivery of toxic gases (e.g. Praxair/Linde, Airgas) to centralize receiving & RFID tagging

• After FMS/CMS review and approval, Requester and Operations Staff will schedule toxic gas delivery date with Vendor. 

• On delivery date, Security will escort Driver to delivery location. EHS Representative will meet Research Representative and Driver to verify order accuracy vs. CMS.

• Toxic gas cylinders will be moved to an approved storage location, RFID tagged, and CMS will be updated

• NOTE: It is critical that toxic gas information be kept up to date and accurate. Update storage location, status, etc. promptly if there are any changes.