Guide 130: Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible/Noxious)

ERG 2024 Guide 130, page 1GUIDE 130 Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible/Noxious) POTENTIAL HAZARDS FIRE OR EXPLOSION • HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. • Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. • Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. • Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). • Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. • Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. • Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. • Containers may explode when heated. • Many liquids will float on water. • • • • • HEALTH May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. 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. 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. EVACUATION Immediate precautionary measure • • • Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. Large Spill Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 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 190 ERG 2024#

ERG 2024 Guide 130, page 2Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible/Noxious) GUIDE 130 EMERGENCY RESPONSE FIRE CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. Small Fire • Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam. If regular foam is ineffective or unavailable, use alcohol‑resistant foam. Large Fire • Water spray, fog or regular foam. If regular foam is ineffective or unavailable, use alcohol-resistant foam. • Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. • • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Fire Involving Tanks, Rail Tank Cars or Highway 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. • 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. • For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. SPILL OR LEAK • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. • All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. • Do not touch or walk through spilled material. • Stop leak if you can do it without risk. • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. • A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. • Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. • • Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material. Large Spill Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. • Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. FIRST AID Refer to the “General First Aid” section. Specific First Aid: • Wash skin with soap and water. • In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. ERG 2024 Page 191#