Essentials of Fire Fighting...

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Essentials of Fire Fighting

6th Edition

Chapter 23 — Hazards, Behavior, and Identification of

Haz Mat/WMD

Recognize introductory information regarding hazardous materials.

Learning Objective 1

23–1

Alternatively called dangerous

goods Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

A hazardous material is a substance that can be dangerous to human health or the environment if not controlled.

23–2

Human error

Mechanical malfunction

Container failure

Transportation accident

Vandalism or terrorism

Haz mat incidents can be caused by several factors.

23–3

Variety of hazards

encountered

Potential health

effects of materials

Physical hazards

associated with

materials

Safely mitigating haz mat incidents requires that firefighters understand three concepts.

23–4

CAUTION

The presence of hazardous materials may significantly change mitigation strategies and tactics.

23–5

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the main causes of hazardous materials incidents?

23–6

Explain the six types of hazardous materials hazards.

Learning Objective 2

23–7

Acute

Chronic

There are two types of health effects that may result from haz mat incidents.

23–8

Thermal hazards involve extremes of heat or cold.

23–9

Elevated temperatures

Low temperatures

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Radiological hazards are categorized as nonionizing or ionizing.

23–10

REVIEW QUESTION

What do the four types of ionizing radiation have in common; how do they differ?

23–11

Radiation health hazards vary depending on the type of dose.

23–12

Asphyxiation hazards prevent the body from absorbing oxygen.

23–13

Chemical hazards are grouped into several categories.

23–14

(Cont.)Poisons/toxins

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CAUTION

All personnel working at hazardous materials incidents must use appropriate personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection.

23–15

Chemical hazards are grouped into several categories.

23–16

(Cont.)

Corrosives

Chemical hazards are grouped into several categories.

23–17

Irritants Convulsants

Carcinogens Sensitizers/allergens

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the common categories for chemical hazards?

23–18

Viruses Bacteria

Rickettsias Biological toxins

Etiological or biological hazards cause severe, possibly infectious, diseases.

23–19

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Mechanical hazards cause injury through blunt physical force.

23–20

REVIEW QUESTION

What types of mechanical hazards are created by explosions?

23–21

Describe routes of entry for hazardous materials.

Learning Objective 3

23–22

There are four routes of entry into the human body for hazardous materials.

23–23

REVIEW QUESTION

How do hazardous materials enter the body?

23–24

Describe the physical properties of hazardous materials.

Learning Objective 4

23–25

Each state of matter poses different types of hazards.

23–26

Flash pointAutoignitiontemperature

Flammable, combustible,

explosive range

The behavior of flammable materials depends on several properties.

23–27

Vapor pressure is the measure of a substance’s tendency to evaporate.

23–28

Temperature at which

• Vapor pressure greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure

• Liquid changes to gas

Usually expressed

• In degrees F (C)

• At sea level air pressure

Special fire hazards

• Present if low boiling point

Boiling liquid expanding vapor

explosion (BLEVE) may be caused

Boiling point is another property that influences material behavior.

23–29

Vapor density measures weight of a pure vapor or gas in comparison to an equal volume of dry air in similar conditions.

23–30

Percentage of material that dissolves in water at ambient temperature

Can help determine appropriate spill cleanup methods, extinguishing agents

Knowing a material’s solubility can help determine important information.

23–31

Specific gravity is the density of a substance in comparison to another standard material, typically water.

23–32

Persistence is a material’s ability to remain in the environment.

23–33

Reactivity is the ability of a substance to chemically react with other materials.

23–34

Catalyst causes molecules to combine in

chain

• If uncontrolled, tremendous energy can be released

Inhibitors

• Slow down, prevent unwanted chemical reactions

• Added to polymerizing materials

• Many time-sensitive

Polymerization is also a type of chemical reaction that can be dangerous.

23–35

REVIEW QUESTION

How do the nine physical properties of hazardous materials help predict the behavior of the material?

23–36

Explain the six stages of the General Emergency Behavior Model (GEBMO) used to describe typical hazardous materials events.

Learning Objective 5

23–37

The General Emergency Behavior Model (GEBMO) describes the typical sequence of events at an incident.

23–38

Thermal

Chemical

Mechanical

There are three ways in which a container stressed beyond its design strength may breach (fail).

23–39

A container breach may occur in various ways and can be partial or total.

23–40

After a breach, release of the contents and stored energy occurs.

23–41

DetonationViolent rupture

Rapid relief

Spill/leak

Several patterns describe the dispersion/engulfment of a container’s contents after release.

23–42

(Cont.)

Several patterns describe the dispersion/engulfment of a container’s contents after release.

23–43

(Cont.)

Several patterns describe the dispersion/engulfment of a container’s contents after release.

23–44

(Cont.)

Several patterns describe the dispersion/engulfment of a container’s contents after release.

23–45

Short

-term

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

Mediu

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Days

Weeks

Months

Long-t

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Years

Generations

Exposure/contact is measured in three time frames.

23–46

Estimations

• Always include worst-case scenario

Estimation of harm is assessed for the environment and/or human health.

23–47

DISCUSSION QUESTION

How can urban environments affect releases?

23–48

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the six stages of the General Emergency Behavior Model (GEBMO)?

23–49

Identify the seven categories of clues to the presence of hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction.

Learning Objective 6

23–50

There are seven clues to the presence of hazardous materials.

23–51

Locations and occupancies are the first indicator of hazardous materials.

23–52

REVIEW QUESTION

What types of occupancies and locations are most likely to have hazardous materials?

23–53

Causing the greatest number of casualties

Causing panic and/or disruption

Damaging the economy

Destroying property

Demoralizing the community

Terrorism intends to do harm by one of several actions.

23–54

Certain occupancies are more likely to be targets for terrorist attack.

23–55

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DISCUSSION QUESTION

What are some examples of each of the occupancy types that may be the target of terrorist attacks?

23–56

Container types and shapes fall into several main categories.

23–57

Bulk-capacity fixed-facility containers

Bulk transportation containers

Intermediate bulk containers

Ton containers(Cont.)

CAUTION

Structural fire fighting PPE does not provide adequate protection against the hazardous materials commonly stored in ton containers.

23–58

Container types and shapes fall into several main categories.

23–59

Nonbulk packaging

Containers for radioactive materials

REVIEW QUESTION

How can container types and shapes give clues about the presence of hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction?

23–60

U.S. DOT Four-digit UN identification numbers

Other

Transportation placards, labels, and markings take several forms.

23–61

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Railroad car markings

• Reporting marks

• Capacity stencil

• Specification marking

Intermodal container/tank

Railroad car and international intermodal markings are found in various forms and locations.

23–62

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REVIEW QUESTION

What types of transportation, placards, labels, and markings are used when transporting hazardous materials?

23–63

There are several other marking and color systems in use as well.

23–64

(Cont.)

There are several other marking and color systems in use as well.

23–65

(Cont.)

CAUTION WARNING

DANGER POISON

There are several other marking and color systems in use as well.

23–66

(Cont.)

There are several other marking and color systems in use as well.

23–67

(Cont.)

“Red you’re dead”

“Yellow you’re mellow”

“White is bright”

CAUTION

When the military ships hazardous materials by common carrier, it is not required to use DOT and TC transportation markings.

23–68

There are several other marking and color systems in use as well.

23–69

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Describe the written resources used to identify hazardous materials.

Learning Objective 7

23–70

There are several written resources that can help identify hazardous materials.

23–71

(Cont.)Shipping papers

There are several written resources that can help identify hazardous materials.

23–72

(Cont.)Safety data

sheets

There are several written resources that can help identify hazardous materials.

23–73

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REVIEW QUESTION

What are three common written resources used to identify hazardous materials?

23–74

Explain the ways to safely use the five senses, along with monitoring and detection equipment, to detect the presence of hazardous materials.

Learning Objective 8

23–75

WARNING

Never use your senses to detect hazardous materials. This method is unreliable and extremely dangerous.

23–76

Chemical reactions

Physical actions

Indicators of physical or chemical actions/reactions

Vision, at a distance, can be the safest sense to alert you to the presence of hazardous materials.

23–77

Hearing

Smell

Taste

Touch

Other senses can also provide clues.

23–78

Changes in respiration

Changes in level of

consciousness

Abdominal distress

Changes in activity level

The senses of other people can also alert firefighters to hazardous materials.

23–79

Visual disturbances

Skin changesChanges in excretion or

thirstPain

Used to determine presence,

concentration Require specialized training

Monitoring and detection devices are effective only if in contact with the material.

23–80

REVIEW QUESTION

How are the senses, as well as monitoring and detection equipment, used to safely detect the presence of hazardous materials?

23–81

Identify common indicators of terrorist attacks.

Learning Objective 9

23–82

Deliberately target people

Higher potential for civilian casualties and greater risk from contaminated victims and structural collapse

May involve booby traps, armed resistance, secondary devices

Terrorist attacks differ from other haz mat incidents in several ways.

23–83

Unusually large number of people with similar symptoms reporting

Explosion at movie theater, government building, or location with historical or symbolic significance

Two or more medical emergencies in transportation hub, office building, or other public place

May be preceded by threat or warning of attack

There are several circumstances that may be indicators of terrorist attack.

23–84

Each type of attack has specific indicators and signs to be aware of.

23–85

(Cont.)

Chemical

Biological

Radiological

Nuclear

Explosive/incendiary

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the five categories of terrorist attack indicators?

23–86

Describe the common indicators and types of illicit laboratories.

Learning Objective 10

23–87

Firefighters should know several facts regarding illicit laboratories

23–88

Produce illegal or controlled substances

Can be found almost anywhere

May be portable

Many contain products that are toxic, explosive, or highly flammable

May involve booby traps or armed resistance

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What drug is being made in most drug labs?

23–89

The most common hazard for meth labs is flammability.

23–90

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CAUTION

Fire suppression at illicit labs can be difficult because chemicals such as sodium and lithium are highly water-reactive.

23–91

Meth labs may be indicated by equipment and other indicators.

23–92

Chemical labs are indicated by the presence of several items.

23–93

Explosive labs are the second most common type of lab discovered.

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the indicators a responder should look for when trying to identify the difference between a drug lab and an explosives lab?

23–95

Biological lab indicators include several items.

23–96

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Explain ways to protect against secondary attacks and booby traps.

Learning Objective 11

23–97

Used to

Secondary devices –May be used

Booby traps

Typically detonated

Hidden or camouflaged

• Create chaos

• Divert responders from primary attack

• Terrorist attack

• Criminal event

• Illicit labs

• Often set at illicit labs

• May utilize other weapons

• Timer

• Radio-controlled or cell phone-activated device

• Disguised as almost anything

Secondary devices and booby traps target those already at the incident.

23–98

There are several items that should arouse curiosity at an incident.

23–99

Containers with unknown liquids or

materials

Unusual devices or containers with

electronic components

Devices containing several flammable

materials

Materials attached to or surrounding an item that could be used for shrapnel

Ordnance

Anticipate presence of a secondary

device

Perform visual search for suspicious items before moving into the incident area

Never touch or move any item that may

conceal an explosive device

Establish scene security and scene

control zones

Evacuate victims and nonessential

personnel as quickly as possible

Firefighters should follow several guidelines to guard against possible secondary devices.

23–100

There are a wide variety of types of booby traps to be aware of.

23–101

Always maintain situational awareness

Avoid complacency

Use explosion-proof equipment

Take aerial reconnaissance photographs

before entering

Do not touch or move loose items

Check doors and openings for wires

and/or traps

There are several steps firefighters can take to avoid booby traps.

23–102

REVIEW QUESTION

What types of devices may be commonly used as booby traps or for a secondary attack?

23–103

• Hazardous materials can be present at any incident scene, and responders should always be aware of their possible presence and the unique challenges they pose.

• Responders must be able to recognize containers that may contain hazardous materials, and be able to predict what types of hazards may be involved.

Summary

23–104

(Cont.)

• Responders should also be able to predict the behavior of hazardous materials, and how to recognize and respond to incidents involving terrorist attacks and illicit laboratories.

Summary

23–105