# Guide 144: Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 144
- **title:** Guide 144: Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2024-04-04
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** ERG2024 response Guide 144: Oxidizers (Water-Reactive).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-144.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-144.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-144
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=144
**body:**

GUIDE
144
Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
•
May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
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React vigorously and/or explosively with water.
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Produce toxic and/or corrosive substances on contact with water.
•
Flammable/toxic gases may accumulate in tanks and hopper cars.
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Some may produce flammable hydrogen gas upon contact with metals.
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Containers may explode when heated.
•
Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
•
•
•
HEALTH
TOXIC; inhalation or contact with vapor, substance, or decomposition products may cause severe injury
or death.
Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
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.
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•
•
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PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
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Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
•
Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is
NO RISK OF FIRE.
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Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.
EVACUATION
Immediate precautionary measure
•
Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
(75 feet) for solids.
Spill
•
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For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
direction, as necessary.
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.
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ERG 2024

Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)
GUIDE
144
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
•
DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.
Small Fire
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Dry chemical, soda ash or lime.
Large Fire
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DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn.
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Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat.
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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
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Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles.
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Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
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Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
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ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames.
SPILL OR LEAK
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ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.
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Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.
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Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
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Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled
material.
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DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.
Small Spill
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Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to
minimize spreading or contact with rain.
Large Spill
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DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST.
FIRST AID
Refer to the “General First Aid” section.
Specific First Aid:
•
Contaminated clothing may be a fire risk when dry.
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
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