Hazardous Materials

Question 1

Define Hazmat?

Answer 1

Hazardous materials- any agents which have the potential to cause harm to humans, animals or environment either by itself or interaction with other factors.

Question 2

Name 5 ways a firefighter could be exposed to a Hazmat?

Answer 2

Injection
Ingestion
Inhalation 
Absorption 
Chemical or heat/cold burns through physical contact

Question 3

What do the 3 parts of the emergency action code mean?

Answer 3

Extinguishing media
Personal protection
Notes for guidance

Question 4

What does the red hazard diamond with a flame on it mean?

Answer 4

Flammable liquid

Question 5

Explain the different parts of an ADR code?

Answer 5

Prefixed number
Primary hazard
Secondary hazard

Question 6

Explain the UK hazard information system, what 5 bits of information would you find on the label?

Answer 6

Hazard diamond
Emergency action code
United Nations numbers
Telephone number for emergency contact
Company name

Question 7

Where would you find generic instructions for what to do in an emergency?

Answer 7

Instructions in writing are carried in the cab of vehicles carrying dangerous goods

Question 8

What does a responsible person at premises containing Hazmat have a legal responsibility to do?

Answer 8

Legal obligation to supply emergency services with information on dangerous substances on their premises and risk involved.

Question 9

Where would you find a source of further information for a Hazmat incident?

Answer 9

Operational risk database- information on property

Chemdata- hazardous material database on MDT

Question 10

Name 2 specialist advisors at a Hazmat incident.

Answer 10

Hazardous material environmental protection officer (HMEPO)
Scientific advisor (SA)

Question 11

What are the CHIP regulations 2009?

Answer 11

Chemicals hazards information and packaging for supply regulations
Identify the hazard via a label

Question 12

What are the nine UN classifications of hazards?

Answer 12

Explosives
Gases
Flammable liquids
Flammable solids
Oxidising agents 
Poisons/ toxic
Radioactive 
Corrosive 
Miscellaneous 

Every good fire fighter only play really crap music

Question 13

What is the temperature range of the thermal gloves that can be worn with gas tight chemical protective suits?

Answer 13

-160 to 150 degrees

Question 14

What does APP mean in relation to Hazmat incidents?

Answer 14

Additional personal protection

Question 15

What are the levels of a Hazmat incident? What would come on each level?

Answer 15

Level 1. 1 pump (CM or WM as IC) to deal with an incident of limited risk to our crews.

Level 2. The full HAZMAT attendance
2 pumps (minimum WM as IC), Fire Rescue Unit (FRU) and A hazardous materials and environmental protection officer (HMEPO)

Level 3. + 2 pumps, FRU, station manager and scientific support unit

Level 4. For incidents attracting special mobilising criteria, such as mass decontamination or CBRN.

Question 16

What are the five primary roles of a Hazardous material and environmental protection officer (HMEPO)?

Answer 16

The primary role of the HMEPO is to:
• Provide advice to the IC.
• Assist the IC in determining the emergency action code (EAC), decontamination codes and appropriate PPE.
• Manage the rapid response unit (RRT) when deployed.
• Liaise with the SA and any onsite or other technical experts in attendance.
• Evaluate all available intelligence and special advice so as to lter out con icting and ambiguous advice to the IC.

Question 17

What is the minimum cordon size for a Hazmat incident?

Answer 17

25 metres