{"operation":"document","citation":"ERG 2024 Guide 117","title":"Guide 117: Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard)","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 117: Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard).","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-117.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-117.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-117","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=117","body":"GUIDE\n117\nGases - Toxic - Flammable\n(Extreme Hazard)\nPOTENTIAL HAZARDS\nHEALTH\n•\nTOXIC; Extremely Hazardous.\n•\nMay be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin.\n•\nInitial odor may be irritating or foul and may deaden your sense of smell.\n•\nContact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.\n•\nFire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.\n•\nRunoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.\nFIRE OR EXPLOSION\n•\nThese materials are extremely flammable.\n•\nMay form explosive mixtures with air.\n•\nMay be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.\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•\nThose substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.\n•\nRunoff may create fire or explosion hazard.\n•\nCylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and flammable gas through pressure relief devices.\n•\nContainers may explode when heated.\n•\nRuptured cylinders may rocket.\n•\n•\n•\n•\n•\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.).\nVentilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.\nPROTECTIVE CLOTHING\n•\nWear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).\n•\nWear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is\nNO RISK OF FIRE.\n•\nStructural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.\nEVACUATION\nImmediate precautionary measure\n•\nIsolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.\nSpill\n•\nSee Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.\nFire\n•\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 164\nERG 2024\n\nGases - Toxic - Flammable\n(Extreme Hazard)\nGUIDE\n117\nEMERGENCY RESPONSE\nFIRE\n•\nDO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.\nSmall Fire\n•\nDry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.\nLarge Fire\n•\nWater spray, fog or regular foam.\n•\nIf it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.\n•\nDamaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.\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.\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•\nDo not touch or walk through spilled material.\n•\nStop leak if you can do it without risk.\n•\nUse water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled\nmaterial.\n•\nDo not direct water at spill or source of leak.\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.\n•\nConsider igniting spill or leak to eliminate toxic gas concerns.\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 165","truncated":false,"body_characters":4329}