# Guide 165: Radioactive Materials (Fissile/Low to High Level Radiation)

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 165
- **title:** Guide 165: Radioactive Materials (Fissile/Low to High Level Radiation)
- **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 165: Radioactive Materials (Fissile/Low to High Level Radiation).
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-165
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=165
**body:**

GUIDE
165
Radioactive Materials
(Fissile/Low to High Level Radiation)
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
HEALTH
•
Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public during
transportation accidents. Packaging durability increases as potential hazard of radioactive content increases.
•
Undamaged packages are safe. Contents of damaged packages may cause higher external radiation exposure,
or both external and internal radiation exposure if contents are released.
•
Type AF or IF packages, identified by package markings, do not contain life-threatening amounts of material.
External radiation levels are low and packages are designed, evaluated and tested to control releases and to
prevent a fission chain reaction under severe transport conditions.
•
Type B(U)F, B(M)F and CF packages (identified by markings on packages or shipping papers) contain potentially
life-endangering amounts. Because of design, evaluation and testing of packages, fission chain reactions are
prevented and releases are not expected to be life-endangering for all accidents except those of utmost severity.
•
The rarely occurring "Special Arrangement" shipments may be of Type AF, BF or CF packages. Package type
will be marked on packages, and shipment details will be on shipping papers.
•
The transport index (TI) shown on labels or a shipping paper might not indicate the radiation level at one meter
from a single, isolated, undamaged package; instead, it might relate to controls needed during transport because
of the fissile properties of the materials. Alternatively, the fissile nature of the contents is indicated by a criticality
safety index (CSI) on a special FISSILE label or on the shipping paper.
•
•
Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
Water from cargo fire control is not expected to cause pollution.
•
•
•
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
These materials are seldom flammable. Packages are designed to withstand fires without damage to contents.
Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.
Type AF, IF, B(U)F, B(M)F and CF packages are designed and evaluated to withstand total engulfment in
flames at temperatures of 800°C (1475°F) for a period of 30 minutes.
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.
Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the priority for
measuring radiation levels.
Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for
decisions about radiological consequences and closure of emergencies.
Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Keep unauthorized personnel away.
Detain or isolate uninjured persons or equipment suspected to be contaminated; delay decontamination and
cleanup until instructions are received from Radiation Authority.
•
•
•
•
•
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PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
•
Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and structural firefighters’ protective clothing will
provide adequate protection against internal radiation exposure, but not external radiation exposure.
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
When a large quantity of this material is involved in a major fire, consider an initial evacuation distance of
300 meters (1000 feet) in all directions.
Page 260
ERG 2024

Radioactive Materials
(Fissile/Low to High Level Radiation)
GUIDE
165
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
•
Presence of radioactive material will not influence the fire control processes and should not influence
selection of techniques.
•
If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
•
Do not move damaged packages; move undamaged packages out of fire zone.
Small Fire
•
Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.
Large Fire
•
Water spray, fog (flooding amounts).
SPILL OR LEAK
•
Do not touch damaged packages or spilled material.
•
Damp surfaces on undamaged or slightly damaged packages are seldom an indication of packaging
failure. Most packaging for liquid content have inner containers and/or inner absorbent materials.
Liquid Spill
•
Package contents are seldom liquid. If any radioactive contamination resulting from a liquid release is
present, it probably will be low-level.
FIRST AID
Refer to the “General First Aid” section.
Specific First Aid:
•
Medical problems take priority over radiological concerns.
•
Use first aid treatment according to the nature of the injury.
•
Do not delay care and transport of a seriously injured person.
•
Injured persons contaminated by contact with released material are not a serious hazard to health care
personnel, equipment or facilities.
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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