{"operation":"document","citation":"ERG 2024 Guide 116","title":"Guide 116: Gases - Flammable (Unstable)","source_type":"guidance","agency":"U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2024-04-04","effective_on":null,"summary":"ERG2024 response Guide 116: Gases - Flammable (Unstable).","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-116.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-116.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-116","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=116","body":"GUIDE\n116\nGases - Flammable (Unstable)\nPOTENTIAL HAZARDS\nFIRE OR EXPLOSION\n•\nEXTREMELY FLAMMABLE.\n•\nWill be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.\n•\nWill form explosive mixtures with air. Acetylene (UN1001, UN3374) may react explosively even in the\nabsence of air.\n•\nDisilane (UN3553) and Silane (UN2203) will ignite spontaneously in air and may re-ignite.\n•\nThose substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.\n•\nVapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.\n•\nVapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.\n•\nCylinders exposed to fire may vent and release flammable gas through pressure relief devices.\n•\nContainers may explode when heated.\n•\nRuptured cylinders may rocket.\n•\n•\n•\n•\nHEALTH\nVapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning, especially when in closed or confined areas.\nSome may be toxic if inhaled at high concentrations.\nContact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.\nFire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.\nPUBLIC SAFETY\nCALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper\nnot available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.\nKeep unauthorized personnel away.\nStay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.\nMany gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas\n(sewers, basements, tanks, etc.).\n•\n•\n•\n•\nPROTECTIVE CLOTHING\n•\nWear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).\n•\nStructural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.\nEVACUATION\nImmediate precautionary measure\n•\n•\n•\nIsolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.\nLarge Spill\nConsider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).\nFire\nIf tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all\ndirections; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions.\nPage 162\nERG 2024\n\nGases - Flammable (Unstable)\nGUIDE\n116\nEMERGENCY RESPONSE\nFIRE\n•\nDO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.\nSmall Fire\n•\nDry chemical or CO2.\nLarge Fire\n•\nWater spray or fog.\n•\nIf it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.\nFire Involving Tanks\n•\nFight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles.\n•\nCool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.\n•\nDo not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur.\n•\nWithdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.\n•\nALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames.\n•\nFor massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw\nfrom area and let fire burn.\nSPILL OR LEAK\n•\nELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.\n•\nAll equipment used when handling the product must be grounded.\n•\nStop leak if you can do it without risk.\n•\nDo not touch or walk through spilled material.\n•\nDo not direct water at spill or source of leak.\n•\nUse water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled\nmaterial.\n•\nIf possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid.\n•\nPrevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.\n•\nIsolate area until gas has dispersed.\nFIRST AID\nRefer to the “General First Aid” section.\nSpecific First Aid:\n•\nIn case of contact with liquefied gas, only medical personnel should attempt thawing frosted parts.\n•\nIn case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove\nclothing if adhering to skin.\nIn Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product.\nPlease consult the shipping paper and/or the \"ERAP\" section.\nERG 2024\nPage 163","truncated":false,"body_characters":4087}