{"operation":"document","citation":"ERG 2024 Guide 120","title":"Guide 120: Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)","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 120: Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids).","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-120.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-120.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-120","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=120","body":"GUIDE\n120\nGases - Inert\n(Including Refrigerated Liquids)\nPOTENTIAL HAZARDS\nHEALTH\n•\nVapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning, especially when in closed or confined areas.\n•\nVapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.\n•\nContact with gas, liquefied gas or cryogenic liquids may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.\nFIRE OR EXPLOSION\n•\nNon-flammable gases.\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•\nStructural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.\n•\nAlways wear thermal protective clothing when handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids or solids.\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 100 meters (330 feet).\nFire\nIf tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all\ndirections; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.\nPage 170\nERG 2024\n\nGases - Inert\n(Including Refrigerated Liquids)\nGUIDE\n120\nEMERGENCY RESPONSE\nFIRE\n•\nUse extinguishing agent suitable for type of surrounding fire.\n•\nIf it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.\n•\n•\nDamaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.\nFire Involving Tanks\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•\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•\nAllow substance to evaporate.\n•\nVentilate the area.\nCAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and\nare likely to break without warning.\nFIRST AID\nRefer to the “General First Aid” section.\nSpecific First Aid:\n•\nClothing frozen to the skin should be thawed before being removed.\n•\nIn case of contact with liquefied gas, only medical personnel should attempt thawing frosted parts.\nERG 2024\nPage 171","truncated":false,"body_characters":3329}