Haz. Mat. Flashcards

1
Q

Hazardous Materials (hazmats) Definition:

A

Substances that have the potential to cause harm to firefighters, the community and the environment

Also referred to as dangerous/hazardous substances or goods

Solids, liquids, or gases that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment

May be toxic, radioactive, flammable, explosive, corrosive, oxidizers, asphyxiates, biohazards, pathogen or allergen substances and organisms

Can have physical conditions or other characteristics that render them hazardous in specific circumstances, such as compressed gases and liquids, or hot/cold materials.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Information sources include

A

ERG handbook
Chem Data
National guidance (NOG)
Control
Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Advisors (HMEPA)
National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC)
Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Hazardous Materials & Environmental Protection Advisor (HMEPA)

A

The Hazardous Materials & Environmental Protection Advisoris a tactical advisor to the incident commander who provides advice and guidance to support incidents involving hazardous materials or where protection of the environment is required.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Hazmat Detection Identification Monitoring Advisors (HDIMA)

A

DFRS provides 3 Hazmat Detection Identification Monitoring Advisors who form part of the team of 12 in the East Midlands region.

HDIMAs are mobilised on request from an HMEPA, NILO or Police Commander at incidents to assist with the detection, identification and monitoring of substances.

Incident types they will attend include terrorism incidents, white powder incidents, chemical warfare incidents and radiation incidents, amongst others.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS)

A

The Service has Radiation Protection Supervisors who are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017.

They liaise with a Radiation Protection Advisor and at incidents are mobilised to ensure the safety of crews through accurate assessment of the risks.

They are also involved in radiation equipment selection, training delivery with HMEPAs and the gathering of information throughout the county on radiation risks at premises.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

CBRN(e) or Hazmat Incident?

A

CBRN(e) terrorism is defined as “the actual or threatened dispersal of CBRN materials (either on their own or in combination, or with explosives) with deliberate criminal, malicious or murderous intent”.

CBRN terrorist attacks may depend on an explosive device for dispersal (e)!

So if it’s not this it’s a hazmat incident!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does CBRN(e) stand for?

A
C – chemical 
B – biological 
R – radiological 
N – nuclear 
(e) – explosive
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a Hazardous Material?

A
Explosive
Flammable or highly flammable
Oxidising
Toxic or very toxic
Radioactive
Corrosive
Miscellaneous
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Hazardous Substance Forms

A
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Vapour
Crystals 
Fumes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Ways a substance becomes a hazard to health

A

Inhalation into the body
Ingestion into the body
Absorption through the skin into the body
The chemical itself.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Legislation is in place for Hazardous Substances in 4 main ways:

A

Storage
Supply
Handling
Transportation

https://www.ukfrs.com/guidance/hazardous-materials?bundle=section&id=15776&parent=15778

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Where Can We Get Information From On Hazardous Materials

A

Transport Hazard Information System (UKTHIS) & Kemler (ADR) Code
Dangerous Goods Transport Document
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Transport Operations Processing System (TOPS) Rail
Specialist Advice (National Chemical Emergency Centre – NCEC)
Met Office
Environmental Agency (EA)
Chemdata.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

United Nations (UN) Numbering System

A

Every substance or article in the UN ‘List of Dangerous Goods’ is classified according to its primary hazard.

It is then assigned to one of nine UN Classes of Hazardous Materials.

Where appropriate, these classes may be sub-divided according to the nature of risk.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

There are 9 UN Classes - how do we remember them?

A
  1. Explosives EVERY
  2. Gases GOOD
  3. Flammable liquids FIRE-
  4. Flammable solids FIGHTER
  5. Oxidising substances OUGHT
  6. Toxic and infectious substances TO
  7. Radioactive materials REALLY
  8. Corrosive materials CARRY
  9. Miscellaneous MONEY
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Class 1 Explosives are divided into 6 sub categories what are they?

A
  1. 1: Mass Explosive Hazard
  2. 2: Projection Hazard
  3. 3: Fire and/or Minor Blast/Minor Projection Hazard
  4. 4: Minor Explosion Hazard
  5. 5: Very Insensitive With Mass Explosion Hazard
  6. 6: Extremely Insensitive; No Mass Explosion Hazard
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Class 2 gases are divided into 3 sub categories what are they?

A
  1. 1: Flammable Gases
  2. 2: Nonflammable Gases
  3. 3: Toxic Gases
17
Q

Class 4 Flammable Solids are divided into 3 sub categories what are they?

A
  1. 1: Flammable Solids
  2. 2: Spontaneously Combustible
  3. 3: Dangerous When Wet
18
Q

Class 5 Oxidizing are divided into 2 sub categories what are they?

A
  1. 1: Oxidizing Substances

5. 2: Organic Peroxides

19
Q

Class 6 Toxic and Infectious are divided into 2 sub categories what are they?

A
  1. 1: Toxic Substances

6. 2: Infectious Substances

20
Q

Class 8 Corrosive materials are divided into 2 sub categories what are they?

A
  1. 1 Acids: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid

8. 2 Alkalis: potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide

21
Q

United Kingdom Transport Hazard Information System

(UKTHIS) Placard consists of:

A
Emergency Action Code
Substance ID Number
Hazard Warning Symbol
Specialist Contact Number
Company name/logo
22
Q

Emergency Action Code

A

Firefighting Media
(1)-Course Spray (2)- Fine Spray (3)-Foam (4)-Dry Agent

PPE & Action
PPE        (P-R-W-X) LTS/Chem Suit + BA
              (S-T-Y-Z) Fire Kit +  BA
Action   (P-R-S-T) Dilute Spillage
              (W-X-Y-Z) Contain Spillage

‘E’: Public Safety Hazard
Public to Stay In Doors/Possible Evacuation

(•)dot denotes AR Foam to be used

23
Q

Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is used to help first responders identify cordons, materials and PPE needed to protect themselves and the general public during an initial response phase at the incident.

A
Table of placards (pages 8-9)
 Railcar and Road Trailer Identification charts (pages 10-14)
 YELLOW section (ID numbers)
 BLUE section (names of material)
 ORANGE section (guide pages)
 GREEN section (initial isolation and protective action distances for highlighted substances

CHEMDATA WILL PROVIDE AN EAC CODE NOT THE ERG Guide

24
Q

Additional Personal Protection (APP) Code

A

Code Letter A
Fire Kit & Gas Tight Suits (Fire kit intended to protect from additional hazards)

Code Letter B
Gas Tight Suits & BA

25
Q

What are explosives?

A

Explosives are materials which when activated will produce gas and/or heat resulting in a very rapid and significant increase in pressure causing injury and/or damage to surrounding materials.

26
Q

Explosive Definitions

A
  • Explosion: “Chemical reaction resulting in the release of significant heat and/or gas causing a rapid increase in pressure”
  • Deflagration: “Rapid (subsonic) spread of heat through a material resulting in an explosion” - Low explosives such as gunpowder

• Detonation: “Very rapid (super sonic) energy wave passing through a substance initiating an explosion” -
High explosives such as TNT.

27
Q

Explosives - Uses

A
Building demolition
Retail / professional fireworks
Quarries
Manufacturing
Seismic surveying
Home made explosives (HME)
Military.
28
Q

Explosives - Class Examples

A
    1. –High explosive shells, fireworks
  1. 2 – Motar bombs, fireworks
  2. 3 – Flares, fireworks
  3. 4 – Smalls arms ammunition
  4. 5 – Ammonium nitrate fuel oil used for blasting
  5. 6 – N/A for UK
29
Q

Explosive Hazards

A

Primary injuries
Caused by blast pressure wave
Punctured eardrums. Lung haemorrhage
Usually near to the point of explosion

Secondary injuries
Impact with fast moving debris
Lacerations, blunt trauma
May occur at a distance from explosion

Tertiary injuries
Blast pressure wave inducing movement of the body
Displacement of internal organs due to acceleration
Movement of body followed by impact with surface

Other injuries
Burns following fireball
Hearing damage
Contact with chemicals products of explosion

Damage to property
Glass or other fragile materials
Structural damage
Structural collapse

30
Q

Explosives – Operational Considerations

A

Involved / not involved in fire
Consequences of a potential explosion in terms of surrounding life risk
The type and quantity of explosive involved
Safe distances and suitable cover for firefighting personnel (earth mounds not brick walls)
Minimum personnel in the risk area
Only enter risk area to perform essential tasks.

31
Q

UN Class 2 Gases - Common gases

A

Acetylene
Maroon Cylinder
Flammable Limits 2.5 -100%
Slightly lighter than air

Butane
Blue Cylinder
Flammable Limits 1.8-8.4%
Heavier than air

Propane
Orange/Red Cylinder
Flammable Limits 2.1-9.5%
Heavier than air

Patio gas
Propane or Butane
Green Cylinder

Natural Gas (Methane)
Flammable Limits 5-15%
Lighter than air