Guide 120: Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)

ERG 2024 Guide 120, page 1GUIDE 120 Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids) POTENTIAL HAZARDS HEALTH • Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning, especially when in closed or confined areas. • Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. • Contact with gas, liquefied gas or cryogenic liquids may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. FIRE OR EXPLOSION • Non-flammable gases. • Containers may explode when heated. • Ruptured cylinders may rocket. • • • • • PUBLIC SAFETY CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream. Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING • Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). • Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. • Always wear thermal protective clothing when handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids or solids. EVACUATION Immediate precautionary measure • • • Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions. Large Spill Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet). Fire If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. Page 170 ERG 2024#

ERG 2024 Guide 120, page 2Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids) GUIDE 120 EMERGENCY RESPONSE FIRE • Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. • • Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists. Fire Involving Tanks Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. • Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. • Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. • Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. • ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. SPILL OR LEAK • Do not touch or walk through spilled material. • Stop leak if you can do it without risk. • Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. • Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. • If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. • Allow substance to evaporate. • Ventilate the area. CAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and are likely to break without warning. FIRST AID Refer to the “General First Aid” section. Specific First Aid: • Clothing frozen to the skin should be thawed before being removed. • In case of contact with liquefied gas, only medical personnel should attempt thawing frosted parts. ERG 2024 Page 171#