Recommendation for good fertilizer storage

The objective of the recommendations is to specify good storage conditions for fertilizers to preserve quality and to ensure safety. In most cases requirements for quality and safety are similar.
Fertilizers are normally manufactured as high quality materials in the form of prill or granules. It is in the interest of all concerned with the handling and storage of fertilizers to ensure that the quality is maintained right up to the point of usage: namely no moisture pick up or caking, free from contamination and of minimal dust content.
Source: Handbook for the Safe Storage of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizers,1992

• Store the product in a dry place. Prevent ingress of moisture or water through non waterproof floors, leaking roofs, open doors or hatches and driving in with wet vehicles.
• Check storage buildings and silos regularly on leakage and ingress of moisture, especially after a storm or heavy rainfall.
• Cover bulk material with plastic sheets during storage of more then two weeks. Make use of transparent plastic foil of 0,10/0,15 mm thickness. Take care of an overlap of 0,5 meter. Cover the heap again after loading.
• Keep walk- an runways clean and spillage should be cleared up as soon as practicable.
• Avoid that the nitrogen containing granules are stored in conditions where temperature cycling can occur between 25 and 40 degrees Celcius. Otherwise particles may breakdown. Especially during the summer high temperatures can occur in the ridge of the storage.
• Contamination of certain fertilizers can stimulate reactions that can harm the quality. Avoid contamination with different fertilizers during storage. Also take care of leftovers, spillage from transport lines, oil and grease.
• Keep equipment clean.
• Don't drive with full loads, this can cause spillage. Avoid driving over the product.
• If the product caked make only use of mechanical tools to loosen the product.
• Don't use granule pulverizing equipment.
• Don't charge or discharge during precipitation.

• Avoid outside storage. This can cause temperature cycling between 25 and 40  degrees Celcius. Particles may breakdown. If outside storage is unavoidable preferably store in the shade and keep the bags away from straight sunlight.
• Pile up maximal three pallets and avoid damaging of bags, covers and pallets.
• Avoid leaking of water into the bags.

• Keep the silo moist free.
• Cover loose product with plastic foil.
• Never store nitrogen containing fertilizers in direct sunlight.
• Be careful with mixing of different products.
• Remains should not be stored in the spreader.
• Take care of leakage of the spreader especially on the public road.
• Avoid open fire or other sources of heat near nitrogen containing fertilizers.
• Take care of the technical condition of the silo.
• Never contaminate fodder with fertilizers.
• Tile-up bagged product safely.
• Clean up used plastic bags in an environmental friendly way.