# Guide 168: Carbon Monoxide (Refrigerated Liquid)

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 168
- **title:** Guide 168: Carbon Monoxide (Refrigerated Liquid)
- **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 168: Carbon Monoxide (Refrigerated Liquid).
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-168
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=168
**body:**

GUIDE
168
Carbon Monoxide (Refrigerated Liquid)
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
HEALTH
•
TOXIC; Extremely Hazardous.
•
Inhalation extremely dangerous; may be fatal.
•
Contact with gas, liquefied gas or cryogenic liquids may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
•
Odorless, will not be detected by sense of smell.
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
•
EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE.
CAUTION: Flame can be invisible. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom
handle, etc.)
•
May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
•
Containers may explode when heated.
•
Vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers.
•
Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.
•
Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
•
Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
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.
Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
(sewers, basements, tanks, etc.).
Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
•
•
•
•
•
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
•
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.
•
Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.
•
Always wear thermal protective clothing when handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids.
EVACUATION
Immediate precautionary measure
•
Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
Spill
•
See Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
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

Carbon Monoxide (Refrigerated Liquid)
GUIDE
168
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
CAUTION: Flame can be invisible. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom
handle, etc.)
•
DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.
Small Fire
•
Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.
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 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.
•
Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur.
•
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.
•
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.
•
Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled
material.
•
Do not direct water at spill or source of leak.
•
If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid.
•
Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
•
Isolate area until gas has dispersed.
FIRST AID
Refer to the “General First Aid” section.
Specific First Aid:
•
In case of contact with liquefied gas, only medical personnel should attempt thawing frosted parts.
ERG 2024
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