Download HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)

Hazardous Materials for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Study Notes
HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 8 - Incident Control Strategies & Tactics
Test Review
 Explosive materials are used in military applications and in mining, logging, construction, and
demolition operations.
 Explosives must be protected from open flame, excessive heat, friction, impact, electrical shock, and
chemical contamination.
 Decomposition of explosives is indicated by crystallized residue or internal contents leaking through
the exterior.
 A "cartridge" is a case that contains an explosive charge for blasting.
 Types of detonators include: fuse blasting caps and electric blasting caps.
 A number of explosives, principally blasting agents such as ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, certain
emulsions, slurries, and water gels, are shipped in bulk in special cargo trucks.
 Dynamite is packed in various paper or fiberboard cartridges.
Explosives Packaging
Fiberboard box
Cartridge
Heavy-walled, spiral-wound fiberboard tubes
Large Cartridge
Emulsions, Slurries,
Plastic tubes or paper cartridges
Water Gels
Fiberboard case (similar to dynamite box)
Detonators
1-pound metal cans inside fiberboard cases (usually holds 50 cans)
Black/Smokeless
Larger shipments of Black Powder may be shipped in large metal kegs or in plastic
Powder
bags within a fiberboard case.
Blasting Agents
Multi-walled paper sack (similar to cement sacks)
(i.e.-ammonium
nitrate)
 Sacks used to ship explosives have a plastic liner to keep moisture out.
 For explosives incidents with NO fire, protect cargo, reroute bystanders, control ignition sources,
review shipping papers, visually inspect the load, and consult technical specialists.
 For explosives incidents involving fire, isolate the area, deny entry, and evacuate.
 DOT recommends that explosives fires NOT be attacked.
 The destructive power of an explosives blast is radiated equally in ALL directions.
 If explosives detonate, first responders should gain control of scene, isolate area, initiate rescue,
perform triage/treatment, and control fires that threaten remaining exposures.
 Runoff from explosives can cause long-term environmental threats.
 Generically, containers that hold compressed gases are called "pressure vessels".
 Chlorine is commonly found in one-ton cylinders at water treatment plants.
 The three basic containers for gases are pressure cylinders, pressure tanks, and pipelines.
 Pressure cylinders are manufactured in accordance to US DOT requirements.
 Pressure tanks are manufactured in accordance to API or ASME.
 Pressure tanks are most commonly found in fixed installations, but may be seen on motor vehicles
and railcars.
 All pressure cylinders and pressure tanks are made of steel except those for disposable and lift-truck
types which can be made of aluminum.
 All pressure cylinders/tanks, except those containing poison gases (i.e.-methyl bormide, hydrogen
cyanide) or some disposable types, must have some type of pressure-relieving device.
 The most common type of compressed-gas-carrying pipeline is those which carry municipal natural
gas.
 Industrial gases such as oxygen, anhydrous ammonia, and hydrogen, may be transported through
pipelines.
 Questions to ask for emergencies involving gases include: What gas is involved?, Type/size of
container?, Mechanical damage?, Leak?, Fire?, Flame impingement?, Availability of water?, Can
supply valve be shut off?
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Study Notes
Gas emergency procedures include: Executing rescues, Use ERG for evacuation distances, Evacuate
downwind, Set up unmanned portable master streams, Deny access until specialists arrive.
The primary objective for all gas leaks to shut off the flow of gas.
The immediate concern when fire is involved in a non-flammable gas leak is to protect exposed
tanks by cooling.
The immediate concern with flammable gas leaks NOT involving fire is to prevent ignition
With toxic gases, such as chlorine or methyl bromide, a larger isolation area should be established.
With LPG leaks, ignition sources up to 1/2 mile away should be considered because vapors are
heavier-than-air and can flash back great distances.
For gas leaks with fire/flame impingement it is ideal to direct large quantities of water onto the sides
of the tank.
Flame impinging on a vapor space of a tank is especially dangerous and should be cooled with large
quantities of water.
If a sheen of water is NOT seen rolling down the side of the tank, it is being converted to steam too
quickly and is ineffective.
Streams on tanks must be directed at each side to maximize total coverage of tank shell.
Never extinguish flames exiting a pressure-relief device.
The sharper the pitch of sound from a pressure-relief device, the greater the pressure.
Pinging, popping, or snapping are indicators of tank metal being softened by heat (stretching).
If dry spots are present on a tank during water application, cooling is insufficient.
Bulges or bubbles on tank surfaces indicate localized heating in the vapor space.
For poisonous gas leaks without fire, the immediate concern is protect life safety and exposures.
Poisonous gas leaks should not be plugged by first responders.
Flammable/combustible liquid tanks such as large-capacity highway tanks trucks, rail tank cars,
industrial storage facilities/processes or pipelines, are NOT prone to BLEVE.
The most common containers for flammable/combustible liquids are metal cans.
Metal cans carrying flammable/combustible liquids are usually packaged in cardboard boxes.
Pails (about 5 gallons) of flammable/combustible liquids are normally delivered on wood pallets.
Drums for flammable/combustible liquids, such as bulk oils, thinners, and cleaning solvents, are
usually made of metal, but some are plastic.
DOT strictly forbids flammable/combustible liquids from being shipped in glass containers.
DOT refers to tank trailers, tank trucks, and rail tank cars as bulk containers.
Construction of highway containers may be steel, stainless steel, or aluminum (most used).
On- and Off-loading of flammable/combustible liquid tanks is generally performed at the bottom of
the tank, while railcars are usually top-loaded and bottom un-loaded.
Most new highway tankers have vapor recovery lines.
DOT regulates all US pipelines except those on the consumer's property.
The primary objective for all flammable/combustible liquid spills is to stop the flow of fuel.
The immediate concern for spilled flammable/combustible liquids without fire is preventing ignition
of the fuel (with fire, cool tank and exposures).
Flammable/combustible liquid fire tactics include: lay initial hoselines, establish continuous water
supply, protect exposures, notify additional resources, evacuate, isolate, control area, establish ICS
system, and control flowing liquid material.
Accidents involving Class 4 materials are relatively rare.
Tubes, pails, steel/fiberboard drums, cardboard boxes, and bags are used for non-bulk packaging of
Class 4 materials (flammable solids, spontaneously combustible, dangerous when wet).
Class 4 containers may be sealed with an inert medium that excludes air from the material.
White phosphorus and sodium (class 4) are shipped in railroad tank cars.
Actions for emergencies involving class 4 materials include: securing scene, establishing zones,
evacuation, and calling for technical help.
Metal powders are flammable solids that ignite by friction.
Explosives that are wetted to suppress explosive properties are Division 4.1 flammable solids.
The immediate concern of flammable solid spills without fire is preventing ignition (with fire, cool
exposures).
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Study Notes
The primary objective of flammable solids without fire is to isolate/confine the material (with fire,
extinguishment or controlled burning).
Class D dry powders are special extinguishing powders used on small metal fires and are applied by
hand, scoop, shovel, or extinguisher (should NOT be used on reactive metals).
Spontaneously combustible materials are also called pyrophoric materials (ignite in contact with air)
and can be liquids or solids.
The immediate concern for spontaneously combustible (pyrophoric) materials without fire is keeping
them wet (with fire, protect exposures).
Magnesium phosphide becomes spontaneously flammable when contacting water.
The best attack for Dangerous when Wet materials involved in fire is NO attack.
Most Division 5.1 oxidizers, such as perchloric acid, is non-combustible but will accelerate the
burning of combustible materials.
Some organic peroxides are shock sensitive, heat sensitive, and/or light sensitive (explosion hazard).
Common packaging for oxidizers and organic peroxides is plastic-lined, multi-ply paper bags.
Oxidizers may also be packaged in metal tins within fiberboard, plastic, and metal drums.
Small organic peroxide containers are vented.
Hydrogen peroxide tank cars are made of aluminum.
Oxidizing materials can react violently with no warning, to friction and heat.
The immediate concern for spilled oxidizers without fire is isolating them from combustibles (with
fire, protect exposures).
Organic peroxides are especially prone to ignition.
Some organic peroxides are kept refrigerated because of their low self-accelerating decomposition
temperatures (SADT).
Division 6.1 poisons include agricultural pesticides, cyanides, and some exotic rocket fuels.
Division 6.2 etiological agents include AIDS, rabies, and botulism.
Infectious substances are packaged in vials that are measured in ounces (grams) and overpacked in
strong containers.
The greatest danger with poisonous substances is the health threat.
Poisons can cause harm through physical contact, inhalation (vapors or products of combustion), or
by contact with runoff/contaminated clothing.
The immediate concern of spilled poisons with/without fire is confining the spread of poison.
Solid poisonous materials can be confined by covering with salvage cover or plastic sheet.
Poisonous substance fires must be fought from upwind.
Most infectious substances will be found in and around hospitals, laboratories, and research centers.
Regulated medical wastes (biomedical symbol on bag) are included with the infectious substances
under DOT regulations.
Bleach will kill an infectious substance, as will heat from flame.
The immediate concern of spilled infectious substances with/without fire is to protect life safety and
confine spread of material.
The primary objective of spilled infectious substances with/without fire is to isolate the area, deny
entry, and let it burn (with fire).
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in addition to CHEMTREC/CANUTEC, can serve as resources
for infectious substance incidents.
Radioactive materials are those which spontaneously emit ionizing radiation.
Alpha radiation is the least penetrating because of its weight.
Alpha radiation travels only a few inches in air but can be ingested or inhaled.
Clothing or human skin can stop alpha radiation.
Beta radiation particles will travel several yards in air and can penetrate skin and clothing.
Aluminum foil will provide shielding against beta radiation particles.
Gamma radiation (similar to X-rays) is extremely penetrating and travels at the speed of light,
requiring dense materials for shielding.
Low-level commercial radioactive shipments are sent in Type A packaging such as cardboard boxes,
wooden crates, metal drums, and cylinders for compressed radiological gases (i.e.-xenon).
Measuring devices, such as radiography instruments and soil density meters, contain radioactive
materials and technically may be considered Type A packaging.
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Study Notes
Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive material containing medicines that are usually shipped in small
quantities via air due to their short half life (degradation time).
Type B packaging is the strongest type of radioactive material packaging and is used for highly
radioactive shipments.
Type B radioactive packaging is made of steel-reinforced concrete casks, lead pipe, and heavy-gauge
metal drums.
Materials carried in Type B radioactive packaging include: fissionable material, high-grade raw
material, nuclear fuels (new and spent), and highly radioactive metals.
Time, distance, and shielding are three ways to protect against radiation exposure.
Dose Rate X Exposure Time = Total Dose (Radiation).
Corrosives (acids or bases) are materials that corrode, degrade, or destroy human skin, aluminum, or
steel.
Bases are also called caustic and alkaline.
Fiberboard drums and multi-layered paper bags are used to ship acid materials and caustics in dry
form.
Wax bottles are used to store hydrofluoric acid because it also attacks glass.
Intermodal portable tanks, tank trucks, railroad tank cars, barges, and pipelines are used to transport
bulk shipments if corrosives.
Corrosives can weigh up to twice as much as an equal amount of water.
The immediate concern for corrosive spills without fire is to confine the spread and NOT dilute the
material (with fire, confine and protected exposures).
Controlling (dense) vapors from corrosive spills is considered part of confinement.
The primary objective for corrosive spills with/without fire is to shut off flow, isolate area, and deny
entry.
For flammable corrosives, consider ignition sources.
Smoke from burning corrosives can permeate fire clothing.
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