Hazardous Materials Flashcards
Name some ways in which hazardous materials regulations are applied
Required reporting of hazardous materials to the AHJ
Product Containment
Pressure Relief
Fire Protection
DOT regulates transportation
EPA regulates pesticides, fungicides, rodenticides
List some of the codes and standard that apply to hazardous materials
~ NFPA 400 Hazardous Materials and IFC Part V, Chapters 50-67 regulate facilities that store, package, or use hazardous materials
~ Department of Transportation - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations transportation and pipelines
~ US EPA regulates pesticides, fungicides and rodenticides
ICC: IFC, IBC, IMC
NFPA:
NFPA 1 Fire Code
NFPA 30 and 30A Flammable & Combustible Liquid Code, Motor Vehicle Fuel Dispensing and Repair Garages Code
NFPA 55 Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code
NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code
NFPA 91 Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists, and Noncombustible Particulate Solids
NFPA 400 Hazardous Materials Code
API (American Petroleum Institute)
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials)
CGA (Compressed Gas Association)
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
What resources can assist inspectors in determining hazardous material classification?
The applicant is responsible for properly classifying the material. NFPA 1 and the IFC give inspectors the authority to require a technical report and opinion prepared by a qualified individual.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) may not have enough information.
Hazardous Materials Expert Assistance software.
IFC Appendix E, section E103
Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER)
What makes flammable and combustible liquids the most “misused”?
They are widely available and have a variety of uses including:
- motor vehicle fuels
- food preparation
- lubricants
- semiconductor fabrication
- coatings
- creating plastics
Most misused and have contributed to numerous injuries and death.
What are flammable and combustible liquids and how are they different from each other?
These do not burn, the vapor they release can be ignited and burn. They have higher heat release rates compared to other combustibles. Fires are more difficult to control.
Flammable liquids have a flash point temperature below 100-degrees F and have a boiling point temperature. They are Class I-A through I-C.
Combustible liquids have a flash point temperature above 100-degrees F. They are Class II, III-A, and IIIB.
Describe the three categories of gases
- Nonliquefied compressed gases
- Liquefied compressed gases
- Dissolved gases
Nonliquefied compressed gases do not liquefy at normal temperature and pressure. Can be liquid if cooled below boiling point temperature which converts them to cryogenic fluids. Oxygen, helium, methane, nitrogen.
Liquefied compressed gases become liquids at ordinary temperatures and pressures. Would become solid at the temperature used for cryogenic fluids. Anhydrous ammonia, propane, carbon dioxide.
Dissolved gases are dissolved when placed in a solution with another chemical to stabilize it. Acetylene.
What hazards are associated with cryogenic liquids?
- Inherent hazard of the particular gas, which may be intensified when it is in liquid form
- High liquid-to-vapor ratio
- Extremely low temperatures
All cryogenic liquids (except oxygen) are either asphyxiants or toxic
Can burn or explode
What actions can make flammable solids capable of causing a fire?
- Friction
- Absorption of moisture
- Spontaneous chemical reaction
- pyrophoric materials
- self heating materials
- dangerous-when-wet materials
- Retained heat
Explain the hazard classifications of organic peroxides
Explosive: Rapid decomposition, detonation reactivity hazard
I: Rapid decomposition, deflagration reactivity hazard
II: Moderate decomposition, severe reactivity hazard, very rapid burning rate
III: Moderate reactivity hazard, rapid burning rate
IV: minimal burning rate
Explain the hazard of organic peroxides
- Sensitive to heat
- Releases heat upon decomposition
- Introduction of a contaminant can initiate an uncontrollable reaction
- Decomposition products can be flammable or toxic
What are the hazard categories of solid and liquid oxidizers based upon?
They are divided into four hazard categories based on their ability to accelerate burning, their rate of decomposition, and if their decomposition can ignite combustible (Class A) materials. The higher the Arabic numeral rating, the greater the hazard the solid or liquid oxidizer presents.
Name some examples of pyrophoric materials.
Liquids, solid, or gaseous materials that, even in small quantities and without external ignition sources, can ignite within 5 minutes after coming into contact with air.
Arsine
Silane
Diborane
Sodium-Potassium (Na-K) alloys
Some isotopes of plutonium and uranium
What do unstable materials react to?
They can react adversely due to changes in temperature, pressure, or mechanical or thermal shock.
List the states in which explosives and blasting agents exist.
Solid or liquid states.
How are highly toxic and toxic materials classified?
Highly toxic and toxic materials are capable of producing serious illness or death once they enter the bloodstream.
Threshold Limit Value (TLV) is the concentration of a given material that may be tolerated for an 8-hour exposure during a regular workweek without ill effects.
Classification is based on a material’s acute toxicity LC50 or LD50 value.
LD50 refers to the ingested dose of a given substance that was lethal to 50 percent or more of the test population when they swallowed or ate the substance.
LC50 refers to the concentration in the air of a given substance that killed 50 percent or more of the test population when they inhaled or absorbed the vapors, fumes, or mists of the substance.
How are corrosives classified in fire codes?
The classification of corrosives is when the material causes irreversible alteration or visible destruction to human skin.
How does mixing two or more materials impact hazard classification?
This can create a new compound with its own unique hazards. For example, when solid oxidizer chromium trioxide is mixed with water, it creates chromic acid which is not an oxidizer but a corrosive. The inspector would need to understand the hazards of the original materials and the mixed material.
What is required to identify the appropriate storage classification of incompatible materials?
Need to know the hazard classification of the two materials, review each product’s SDS, and compare the reactivity information. Consult a chemical compatibility chart or matrix to determine how each material should be stored and what separation requirements are needed between the materials.
Incompatible materials are considered separated if:
~ separated by 20 feet or more
~ one of the materials is stored in an approved storage cabinet, exhausted enclosure, or gas cabinet
~ separated by a noncombustible line-of-sight barrier
List some of the resources inspectors must be familiar with and know how to use in order to identify hazardous materials.
Must understand placards and material numbering systems used by: DOT, Transport Canada (TC), Mexican Secretariat for Communications and Transport (SCT), international governing bodies, and others.
UN Classification system and DOT placard and markings system.
Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
Hazardous Materials Guide for First Responders from the US Fire Academy (USFA)
Safety Data Sheets. (SDS)
NFPA 704 System
Compare and contrast DOT placards, labels, and markings.
Placard: Diamond-shaped, color-coded sign. Found on large transport containers (bulk packages, rail tank cars, cargo tank vehicles). Shippers are required to provide them with some exceptions. Includes Hazard Class in the lower corner (1-9) and may have text but only “Dangerous” is required for Class 7. May also include the 4 digit ID number in a black on orange rectangle.
Label: 3.9” square-on-point diamond placed on nonbulk packaging (that may fall off a large transport container) including drums, boxes, bags. Includes Hazard Class in the lower corner for the primary hazard and pictogram.
Marking: descriptive name, ID number, weight, orientation, or specification that includes instructions, cautions, or UN marks (or combo thereof). Placed on outer packaging.
What are some of the types of markings inspectors might encounter?
Hot
Marine Pollutant
Inhalation Hazard
Fumigant
Orientation
ORM-D (other regulated materials)
Inner Packaging (Overpack)
Excepted Quantity
Why is it important for inspectors to be aware of different aspects of the Canadian Dangerous Goods System?
To avoid conflicts between federal, provincial, and local laws. Inspectors should be prepared to notify the proper agency to address a hazard or dangerous commodity.
What are some of the differences between markings in the Mexican Hazard Communication System and those found in the US and Canada?
The Mexican Hazard Communication system is based on the NFPA 704 marking system. Employers may use any alternative system that complies with the objectives of the standard. Caution symbols are triangular rather than round like US and Canada.
Mexican and Canadian placard and labeling systems are virtually identical except in Spanish for Mexico and in English and French for Canada.
Differences between Mexico and US:
~ No DANGEROUS placards in Mexico
~ Spanish proper shipping name on package markings in addition to English
~ HOT for elevated temps not in Mexico only US
~ Flammable liquids does not incorporate provisions for combustible liquids. Combustible liquid requirements only apply in US
Describe the requirements for marking piping and cylinders.
Pipe labels must identify contents and direction of flow, labeled at 25’ max, each change of piping direction, and both sides of floor or ceiling penetrations.
Cylinders are marked on shoulder or wall with name of haz mat, DOT and UN haz mat ID label and hazardous division ID # (used in ERG). Warning statement required if inhalation hazard and its reportable quantity (RQ) if assigned by DOT.
If amount released exceeds RQ then the US Coast Guard National Response Center must be notified.
