ERG 2024 Guide 133
ERG 2024 Guide 133
ERG2024 supports first responders during the initial phase of a hazardous-materials transportation incident. It is not controlling regulation, a compliance determination, a chemical-specific worker safety document, or a substitute for required shipping-paper emergency-response information.
ERG 2024 Guide 133, page 1GUIDE 133 Flammable Solids POTENTIAL HAZARDS FIRE OR EXPLOSION • Flammable/combustible material. • May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. • Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. • Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence. • Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point. • May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. • • • • HEALTH Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. 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. • • • 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 25 meters (75 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 196 ERG 2024#
ERG 2024 Guide 133, page 2Flammable Solids GUIDE 133 EMERGENCY RESPONSE FIRE Small Fire • Dry chemical, CO2, sand, earth, water spray or regular foam. Large Fire • Water spray, fog or regular foam. • • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Fire Involving Metal Pigments or Pastes (e.g. “Aluminum Paste”) Aluminum Paste fires should be treated as a combustible metal fire. Use DRY sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride-based extinguishers or class D extinguishers. Also, see GUIDE 170. Fire Involving Tanks, Rail Tank Cars or Highway Tanks • Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. • For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. • 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 • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. • Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Small Dry Spill • With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area. Large Spill • Wet down with water and dike for later disposal. • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. FIRST AID Refer to the “General First Aid” section. Specific First Aid: • Removal of solidified molten material from skin requires medical assistance. In Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product. Please consult the shipping paper and/or the "ERAP" section. ERG 2024 Page 197#