A method for safely handling unstable hydrides, such as germane, in an enclosure which has one or more openings, by partitioning the enclosure into smaller but interconnected volumes and providing heat storage and transfer within the enclosure to rapidly remove heat from any incipient hot spot before it can reach a temperature where it could rapidly propagate to the rest of the enclosure. A preferred embodiment includes where the partitioning material comprises part or all of the means to store the heat and has a large surface area to rapidly adsorb heat from the gases in the smaller volume. An even more preferred embodiment is where the partitioning material comprises materials that can be poured into the enclosure. The use of sensible heat, phase change or chemical reactions are feasible ways to store the heat.