Hazardous Materials for First Responders (2nd Edition) Study Notes
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 3 - Recognizing & Identifying HazMat
Test Review
§ A first responders on-site decisions can be reduced by preparing pre-incident plans, establishing procedures, and pre-assigning actions prior to an incident.
§ Pre-planning identifies locations/quantities of HazMat, dangers, difficulties with property access, and inherent limitations of responding departments.
§ Informal indications of the presence of HazMat at an incident can come from verbal reports of bystanders, occupancy type/location, visual physical/chemical indicators, and trade/common names.
§ Questions to be asked of officials at a HazMat scene include: 1) Who is the reporting party and where did the info come from? 2) Materials involved and how were they identified? 3) How much material is involved and what is it's current state (spill, leak, flow rate, contained, subject to fire, under pressure)? 4) Location/number of personnel?
§ Highly probable locations for HazMat include facilities such as fuel storage, paint supply, plant nurseries, doctor's offices, photo processing, dry cleaners, plastic/high-technology factories, metal plating, and mercantile.
§ Off-loading hose, forklifts, dollies, booms, A-frames, ramps, and assorted rigging can indicate that HazMat is present.
Frequent Accident LocationsHighways / Railways / Waterways / Airways / Pipelines
Designated truck routes / Depots, terminals, switch/classification yards / Difficult passages / Fueling ramps / Exposed crossings
Blind Intersections / Poorly laid/maintained track / Bridges / Repair/maintenance hangars / Pumping stations
Poorly marked/engineered interchanges / Steep grades / Piers & Docks / Freight terminals / Construction/demolition sites
Congested traffic areas / Shunts/sidings / Shallows / Intermediate/final storage
Heavily traveled roads / Uncontrolled crossings / Locks
Sharp Turns / Loading Stations
Steep Grades
Highway interchanges/ramps
§ Tangible evidence of HazMat includes spreading vapor clouds, melting gloves, dead fish, container deterioration, which indicate that physical and/or chemical reactions are taking place.
§ Physical actions do not change the elemental composition of the hazardous material, while chemical actions convert one substance into another.
§ Indications of physical actions include: rainbow sheen on water, wavy vapors over a volatile liquid, frost near a leak, deformed containers, operating pressure-relief devices, and pinging/popping of heat exposed vessels.
§ Visual/sensory indicators include: Extraordinary fire conditions, peeling/discoloration of container, splattering/boiling of unheated materials, colored vapor clouds, smoking/self-igniting materials, unexpected deterioration of equipment, peculiar smells, unexplained changes in ordinary materials, and symptoms of chemical exposure.
§ Symptoms of chemical exposure include: changes in respiration, consciousness, activity level, excretion/thirst, pain, abdominal distress, visual disturbances, and skin changes.
§ The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is produced by the US Department of Transportation and is designed to be a basic guide for initial actions at a HazMat incident.
DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) Color CodingPage Color / Identifying Factor / Information Contained (in column order)
Yellow / ID Number / ID Number, Guide Number, Product Name (if highlighted = poisonous effects)
Blue / Product Name / Name of Material, Guide Number, ID Number (if highlighted = poisonous effects)
Orange / Guide Number / Potential hazards (fire/explosion/health), Emergency actions (scene control, fire, spill/leak, first aid, special)
Green / ID Number / ID name, Initial isolation zone, Protective action distance
No Color / Plain Paper / Instructions, definitions, & explanations
§ The primary objective of the ERG is to direct first responders to the appropriate guide page (Orange-bordered page) as quickly as possible on arrival at a HazMat incident.
§ The ERG also lists thousands of materials shipped under generic names such as Flammable Liquid N.O.S.
§ The Transport of Dangerous Goods Directorate of Canada publishes the Dangerous Goods Guide
§ The "How To" instructions page of the ERG (page 1), provides guidance for identifying a material through several cross-referenced indexes.
§ The yellow-bordered pages (identification number index) of the ERG lists the UN/NA 4-digit identification number (1st column) in numerical order, the ERG guide number (2nd column), and material's proper material shipping name (3rd column).
§ The blue-bordered pages (product name index) of the ERG lists material names (1st column) in alphabetical order, the ERG guide number (2nd column), and the UN/NA Identification number (3rd column).
§ The ERG contains "initial action" information on potential hazards (health, fire, explosion), preliminary emergency actions, fire instructions, leak/spill guidance, and first aid procedures.
§ Explosives are not listed individually in the ERG by identification number.
§ Highlighted materials in the identification and name index of the ERG represent materials with poison and poison inhalation risks and are also listed in the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances section (green-bordered pages).
start CANADIAN IERG
§ The Transport of Dangerous Goods Directorate of Canada publishes the Dangerous Goods Guide to Initial Emergency Response (IERG) and is similar to the ERG.
§ The differences between the Canadian IERG and the ERG are different/additional placards such as corrosive gas, miscellaneous dangerous goods (different symbol), and dangerous wastes.
§ The IERG begins with a chart of placards and labels.
CANADIAN Dangerous Goods Guide to Initial Emergency Response (IERG) Color CodingPage Color / Identifying Factor / Information Contained
Orange / Product Name / Guide Number, Product Identification Number
Green / Product ID / Guide Number, Product Number
Yellow / Guide Number / Potential hazards (fire/explosion/health), Public Safety (PPE, evacuation, fire, spill/leak, first aid)
No Color / Plain Paper / Instructions, definitions, & explanations
§ The back of the Canadian IERG contains a Rail Car and Road Trailer Identification Chart which helps determine the general guide based on the shape of the container.
§ The Canadian IERG does NOT contain a Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances like the ERG, however, evacuation distances are listed in each guide for large spills and fires.
end CANADIAN IERG
§ First responders should call CHEMTREC/CANUTEC if a phone number is not listed on shipping papers.
§ First responders should provide CHEMTREC/CANUTEC with name of caller/call-back number, location of incident, name(s) of material, shipper, and manufacturer, type of container, rail car/truck number, carrier's name, consignee, local conditions, and actions taken.
§ CHEMTREC provides immediate information on a material's properties, its hazards, and suggested control techniques, as well as serving as a communication link between other technical support and shippers.
§ It is the responsibility of the shipper, facility manager, or vehicle operator to report incidents to the Caost Guard's National Response Center (NRC).
§ CHEMTREC is ran by the Chemical Manufacturer's Association and works closely with DOT and the NRC.
§ Emergency contact with CHEMTREC does NOT fufill incident reporting requirements set forth in federal regulations for transporters.
§ Limitations of CHEMTREC/CANUTEC resources include: chemicals not on file, relevance of first responder information relayed, and only "general" tactical information.
§ Association besides CHEMTREC/CANUTEC that can offer assistance include: National Agricultural Chemical Association (NACA), Fertilizer Institute, LP-Gas Association, Chlorine Institute, and Compressed Gas Association.
§ The best source of information on a specific hazardous material is the manufacturer's data sheet (MSDS).
§ OSHA mandates the minimum content to be contained in an MSDS sheet.
MSDS Sheet SectionsI / Manufacturer's Name/Address, Emergency Phone #, Information Phone #, & Signature/Date
II / Common name, Chemical name, CAS #, OSHA PEL limit, ACGIH TLV limit, & Other exposure limits
III / Boiling point, Specific gravity, Vapor pressure/density, Melting point, Evaporation rate, Water solubility, & Appearance/odor
IV / Flash point, Flammable limits (UEL/LEL), Extinguishing agents, Special fire fighting procedures, Unusual fire/explosion hazards
V / Stability, Incompatibility, Hazardous decomposition/by-products, Hazardous polymerization
VI / Routes of entry, Health hazards, Cacinogenicity, National Toxicological Program (NTC), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monographs, OSHA regulated, Signs/Symptoms, Medical conditions aggravated, & Emergency first aid
VII / Spill/release procedures, Waste disposal methods, Handling/storage precautions, & Other precautions
VIII / Respiratory protection, Ventilation, Protective gloves, Eye protection, Other protective clothing, & Work/hygienic practices
§ The name of the hazardous material can be found in Section II of an MSDS.
§ U.S. MSDS sheets are not accepted in Canada because they are slightly different than Canadian MSDSs.
§ Most first responder identification training can be done at local commercial and industrial (fixed) facilities.
§ Information for pre-incident plans is usually gathered by first responders, however, they are typically finalized by command staff.
§ Hazardous materials that are manufactured, stored, processed, or used at a fixed facility are no subject to regulations affecting transported materials.
§ The NFPA 704 system offers appropriate signal or alert that HazMat is present, identifies general hazards and degree of severity for health, flammability, and reactivity, and provides immediate information to protect lives.
§ The NFPA 704 system does NOT identify specific chemicals present.
§ The special hazards section of 704 placards (6-O'clock position), does not have a specified background color, however, it is usually white.
§ The last part of a first responder's scope of responsibility is recognition of container type, identification of material, and transmission of the information found to appropriate authorities.
ATMOSPHERIC STORAGE TANKSShape/Name / Description/Specifications
Ordinary Cone Roof Tank / · Stores flammable, combustible, and corrosive liquids.
· Cone-shaped, pointed roof with weak roof-to-shell seam designed to break if over-pressurized.
· Dangerous vapor space when partially full.
Floating Roof Tank / · Large capacity: from 50,000 gallons to over 1,000,000 gallons.
· Commonly used for flammable/combustible liquids (particularly petroleum products).
· Roof floats on top of liquid, eliminating dangerous vapor space.
· Fabric or rubber "tube" seal on floating roof provides weather-tight seal.
Lifter Roof Tank / · Roof floats within a series of vertical guides, allowing only a few feet of travel.
· Roof is either liquid- or fabric-sealed.
· Roof moves up and down with changes in internal vapor pressure.
· Usually used to store volatile liquids.
Internal Floating Roof Tank / · A combination of the cone roof tank and floaing roof tank.
· Used to store flammable liquids.
· Contains a pan- or deck-type float that rides on the products surface.
· Vents in top of cone roof allow excess pressure to escape.
· Vents may be present on upper portion of the sides of the tank.
Vapordome Roof Tank / · A vertical storage tank with a giant bulge or dome on top.
· The base of the dome contains a flexible diaphragm that moves into the dome with changes in internal vapor pressure.
· Used for combustible liquids of medium volatility and some non-hazardous materials such as molasses and fertilizer blends.
· Range in size up to 8,500,000 gallons.
Horizontal Tank / · Constructed of steel.
· Capacity from a few thousand gallons to 20,000 gallons.
· Commonly used for bulk storage fuel-dispensing operations.
· Tanks supported by unprotected steel supports/stilts may fail quickly in fire conditions.
LOW-PRESSURE TANKS
Spheroid Tanks / · Designed to store liquid or gaseous products such as LPG, methane, propane, other light gases, and may also be used to store gasoline, crude oil, and domestic water supplies.
· Capacity is 3,000,000 gallons or more.
· Pressure-relief valve located on top of tank.
· Spheroid tank may be contained within an outer shell, resembling a normal vertical tank.
Noded Spheroid Tank / · Substantially larger and flatter than a normal spheroid tank.
· Contains bulging, ribbed sections on outside of tank.
· Held together by a series of internal ties and supports.
· Pressure relief valve located on top of tank.
PRESSURE STORAGE TANKS
Horizontal Tank / · Readily identified by rounded ends.
· Capacities from 500 gallons to over 40,000 gallons.
· Found at facilities that dispense fuel gases to public.
· Commonly holds propane, liquid natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), butane, ethane, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, chlorine, and hydrogen chloride.
Sphere Tank / · Single shell, non-insulated tank.
· Capacity up to 600,000 gallons.
· Identified by round, ball-like appearance.
· Supported by series of concrete or steel legs.
· Usually painted white or a highly reflective color to reduce heat, thereby reducing internal vaporization.
· Commonly used to store liquefied petroleum gases.
Cryogenic Tank / · Insulated, vacuum-jacketed tank with safety relief valves and rupture disks.
· Capacity from 300 gallons to 400,000 gallons.
· Pressure varies with product stored.
Underground Tank / · Found primarily at gasoline service stations and large private garages.
· Constructed of steel of fiberglass.
· Fill (usually indicated by a cover on ground) and vent connections will be near the location of tank.
§ The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the federal agency that develops, publishes, and enforces regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
§ DOT regulation establish safety standards for packaging, loading, and hauling of HazMat.
§ DOT in conjunction with the Transport Development Group (TDG), has overall regulatory authority over HazMat shipments.
§ The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulates the possession, use, and transport of radioactive materials.
§ The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes requirements for transportation of hazardous substances and wastes.
§ The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates the health and safety of persons involved with HazMat.
§ The Department of Energy (DOE) regulates companies that produce power.
§ The United Nations (UN) Classification System forms the basis for DOT regulations which classify HazMat according to their primary danger.
PLACARDSClass / Placard / Description / Products / Information
1.1-1.3 / 1.1-Mass Explosion Hazard
1.2-Projection Hazard
1.3-Fire Hazard / 1.1-Black powdered
1.2-Detonating cord
1.3-Propellant explosives / 1.1-affects entire load almost immediately
1.2-not a mass explosion hazard
1.3-either minor blast hazard or minor projection hazard
1.4 / No significant Blast / Practice ammunition / Explosion largely confined to package, no fragmentation
1.5 / Very insensitive / Prilled ammonium nitrate / Has mass explosion hazard but little probability of detonation under normal transport
1.6 / Extremely insensitive / Fertilizer-fuel oil mixtures / No mass explosion hazard, negligible probability of detonation or propagation
2.1 / Flammable gas / Propane / See Chapter 3 "By the Numbers" section for details.
2.2 / Non-flammable gas / Anhydrous ammonia, Oxygen / Non-flammable gas, non-poisonous compressed gas, liquefied gas, pressurized cryogenic gas, compressed gas in solution. See Ch. 3 "By the Numbers" for more.
2.3 / Poisonous gas / Phosgene / Gas poisonous by inhalation, known to be toxic to humans, hazardous during transport. See Ch. 3 "By the Numbers" for more.
3 / Flammable Liquids / Gasoline, kerosene, diesel / See Chapter 3 "By the Numbers" section for details.
4.1 / Flammable Solids / Magnesium / Wetted explosives, self-reactive materials, readily combustible solids
4.2 / Spontaneously Combustible / Phosphorus / Pyrophoric material (liquid or solid) that reacts within 5 minutes of contacting air and self-heating materials
4.3 / Dangerous when wet / Calcium carbide / Liable to become spontaneously flammable or give off flammable/toxic gas at a rate > 1L/kg/hour
5.1 / Oxidizers / Ammonium nitrate / Gives off oxygen
5.2 / Organic peroxides / Ethyl ketone peroxide / Organic compound containing oxygen in the bivalent -O-O- structure (considered a derivative of hydrogen peroxide) where hydrogen atoms are replaced with organic radicals
6.1 / Poisonous / Arsenic / Poisonous materials other than gases, known to be toxic to humans and hazardous during transport
6.2 / Infectious (etiological agent) / Rabies, HIV, Hepatitis B / Viable organism or its toxin that causes disease in humans or animals, includes Department of Health and Human Services agents and others that cause or may cause severe, disabling, or fatal disease
7 / Radioactive materials / Cobalt / Materials having specific gravity greater than 0.002 microcuries/gram
8 / Corrosives / Sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide / Liquid or solid that causes visible destruction or irreversible alterations to human skin or a liquid with a severe corrosion rate on steel or aluminum
9 / Other regulated materials / Consumer commodities / Materials with anesthetic, noxious, or similar properties that cause extreme annoyance or discomfort, or hazardous wastes/substances per 49 CFR 171.8 to include elevated temperature materials
§ A UN HazMat Identification Number (UNID) is a 4-digit number assigned to each material listed in the DOT ERG.