Haz. Mat. Flashcards
Hazardous Materials (hazmats) Definition:
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.
Information sources include
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)
Hazardous Materials & Environmental Protection Advisor (HMEPA)
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.
Hazmat Detection Identification Monitoring Advisors (HDIMA)
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.
Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS)
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.
CBRN(e) or Hazmat Incident?
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!
What does CBRN(e) stand for?
C – chemical B – biological R – radiological N – nuclear (e) – explosive
What is a Hazardous Material?
Explosive Flammable or highly flammable Oxidising Toxic or very toxic Radioactive Corrosive Miscellaneous
Hazardous Substance Forms
Solid Liquid Gas Vapour Crystals Fumes
Ways a substance becomes a hazard to health
Inhalation into the body
Ingestion into the body
Absorption through the skin into the body
The chemical itself.
Legislation is in place for Hazardous Substances in 4 main ways:
Storage
Supply
Handling
Transportation
https://www.ukfrs.com/guidance/hazardous-materials?bundle=section&id=15776&parent=15778
Where Can We Get Information From On Hazardous Materials
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.
United Nations (UN) Numbering System
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.
There are 9 UN Classes - how do we remember them?
- Explosives EVERY
- Gases GOOD
- Flammable liquids FIRE-
- Flammable solids FIGHTER
- Oxidising substances OUGHT
- Toxic and infectious substances TO
- Radioactive materials REALLY
- Corrosive materials CARRY
- Miscellaneous MONEY
Class 1 Explosives are divided into 6 sub categories what are they?
- 1: Mass Explosive Hazard
- 2: Projection Hazard
- 3: Fire and/or Minor Blast/Minor Projection Hazard
- 4: Minor Explosion Hazard
- 5: Very Insensitive With Mass Explosion Hazard
- 6: Extremely Insensitive; No Mass Explosion Hazard
Class 2 gases are divided into 3 sub categories what are they?
- 1: Flammable Gases
- 2: Nonflammable Gases
- 3: Toxic Gases
Class 4 Flammable Solids are divided into 3 sub categories what are they?
- 1: Flammable Solids
- 2: Spontaneously Combustible
- 3: Dangerous When Wet
Class 5 Oxidizing are divided into 2 sub categories what are they?
- 1: Oxidizing Substances
5. 2: Organic Peroxides
Class 6 Toxic and Infectious are divided into 2 sub categories what are they?
- 1: Toxic Substances
6. 2: Infectious Substances
Class 8 Corrosive materials are divided into 2 sub categories what are they?
- 1 Acids: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid
8. 2 Alkalis: potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide
United Kingdom Transport Hazard Information System
(UKTHIS) Placard consists of:
Emergency Action Code Substance ID Number Hazard Warning Symbol Specialist Contact Number Company name/logo
Emergency Action Code
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
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.
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
Additional Personal Protection (APP) Code
Code Letter A
Fire Kit & Gas Tight Suits (Fire kit intended to protect from additional hazards)
Code Letter B
Gas Tight Suits & BA
What are explosives?
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.
Explosive Definitions
- 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.
Explosives - Uses
Building demolition Retail / professional fireworks Quarries Manufacturing Seismic surveying Home made explosives (HME) Military.
Explosives - Class Examples
- –High explosive shells, fireworks
- 2 – Motar bombs, fireworks
- 3 – Flares, fireworks
- 4 – Smalls arms ammunition
- 5 – Ammonium nitrate fuel oil used for blasting
- 6 – N/A for UK
Explosive Hazards
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
Explosives – Operational Considerations
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.
UN Class 2 Gases - Common gases
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
