# Fire and Spill Control

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024, Fire and Spill Control
- **title:** Fire and Spill Control
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2024-04-04
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** Official ERG2024 fire and spill control guidance, pages 355-357.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-fire-spill-control.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-fire-spill-control.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-fire-spill-control
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2024-04/ERG2024-Eng-Web-a.pdf#page=355
**body:**

FIRE AND SPILL CONTROL
FIRE CONTROL
Water is the most common and generally most available fire extinguishing agent. Use caution
in selecting a fire extinguishing method, as there are many factors to consider. Water may
be ineffective in fighting fires that involve some materials.
Fires Involving a Spill of Flammable Liquids
These fires are usually controlled by applying a firefighting foam to the surface of the burning
material.
Fighting flammable liquid fires requires:
•
foam concentrate that is chemically compatible with the burning material
•
correct mixing of the foam concentrate with water and air
•
careful application and maintenance of the foam blanket
There are two general types of firefighting foam: regular and alcohol-resistant. Examples of
regular foam are protein-base, fluoroprotein, and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).
You can control some flammable liquid fires, including many petroleum products, by applying
regular foam. Other flammable liquids, including polar solvents (flammable liquids that are
water soluble), such as alcohols and ketones, have different chemical properties. You cannot
easily control a fire that involves these materials with regular foam, and should use alcohol-
resistant foam instead.
Polar solvent fires may be difficult to control and require a higher foam application rate than
other flammable liquid fires (see NFPA Standards 11 for further information). Refer to the
appropriate guide to determine which type of foam to use. For flammable liquids which have
subsidiary corrosive or toxic hazards, it is difficult to make specific recommendations. However,
alcohol-resistant foam may be effective for many of these materials.
Contact the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, or the appropriate
emergency response agency, as soon as possible for guidance on the proper fire extinguishing
agent to use.
How you decide to control the fire depends on factors such as:
•
incident location
•
exposure hazards
•
size of the fire
•
environmental concerns
•
availability of extinguishing agents and equipment at the scene
WATER-REACTIVE MATERIALS
Water is sometimes used to flush spills and reduce or direct vapors in spill situations. Some
of the materials covered by this guidebook can react violently or even explosively with water.
In these cases, consider letting the fire burn or leaving the spill alone (except to prevent its
spreading by diking) until you can get more technical advice.
Page 353

The applicable guides clearly warn you of these potentially dangerous reactions. Technical
advice is required for these materials since:
•
•
•
•
Water getting inside a ruptured or leaking container may cause an explosion.
You may need to cool adjoining containers with water to prevent them from rupturing
(exploding), or to prevent the fire spreading further.
Water may be effective in mitigating an incident involving a water-reactive material,
but only if you can apply it at a sufficient flooding rate for a long period.
Products from the reaction with water may be more toxic, corrosive or undesirable
than the product that caused the fire.
When you respond to an incident involving water-reactive materials, take into account:
•
existing conditions, such as wind, precipitation, location and accessibility to the incident
•
availability of agents to control the fire or spill
Because there are variables to consider, base your decision to use water on fires or spills
involving water-reactive materials on information from a reliable source. For example, consult
the material’s manufacturer through the emergency response telephone number or the
appropriate emergency response agency listed on the inside back cover.
VAPOR CONTROL
Limiting the amount of vapor released from a pool of flammable or corrosive liquids is an
operational concern. It requires proper protective clothing, specialized equipment, appropriate
chemical agents and skilled personnel. Before you engage in vapor control, seek advice on
tactics to be used from qualified personnel.
There are several ways to minimize the amount of vapors escaping from pools of spilled
liquids, such as special foams, adsorbing agents, absorbents, and neutralizing agents. To
be effective, you must select a method for the specific material involved, and use it in a way
that mitigates, not worsens, the incident.
Where specific materials are known, such as at a manufacturing or storage facilities, the
hazardous materials/dangerous goods response team should prearrange with the facility
operators to select and stockpile these control agents before a spill.
In the field, first responders may not have the most effective vapor control agent for the material
available. They will be more likely to have only water, and only one type of firefighting foam
on their vehicles. If the available foam is not appropriate, they will probably use water spray.
Because water is being used to form a vapor seal, care must be taken not to churn or further
spread the spill during application. Vapors that do not react with water may be directed away
from the site using the air currents surrounding the water spray. Before using water spray
or other methods to safely control vapor emission or suppress ignition, get technical advice
based on a specific chemical name.
Page 354

LIQUID SPILL CONTROL
Spill control is an important part of any hazardous materials/dangerous goods incident. Spills
can have serious health, safety, and environmental consequences. There are many ways to
deal with a liquid spill, like:
•
diking
•
damming, and
•
absorbing
A liquid spill can be controlled by setting up a barrier around the spill area. Depending on the
product involved, the spill can be contained with either inert or non-combustible absorbent
materials.
Inert absorbent materials are granular. The most common types are:
•
sand
•
diatomaceous earth (a fine powder made from sedimentary rock)
•
vermiculite, or
•
clay
Non-combustible absorbents are usually not very flammable and can absorb a lot of liquid.
These materials are usually made from synthetic materials, like:
•
polypropylene
•
polyethylene, or
•
other synthetic fibers
Other absorbent materials that are easy to find include sawdust or clay litter. Please note
the following:
•
•
Sawdust should not be used to absorb flammable liquids or oxidizers since it can
catch fire
Clay litter should not be used to absorb acids since it may contain baking soda, which
will react with acids
Before using an absorbent material, get technical advice to confirm its compatibility or test
a small amount on the spill.
Page 355
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