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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: RECOGNITION AND IDENTIFICATION

Copyright© 2000. Delmar is a division of Thomson Learning.

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Objectives 1 of 3

• Identify the nine hazard classes as defined by DOT.• Identify the hazards associated with each hazard class.• Identify the standard occupancies where hazardous

materials may be used and stored.

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Objectives 2 of 3

• Identify the standard container shapes and sizes and common products.

• Identify both facility- and transportation- related markings and warning signs.

• Identify the standard transportation types for highway and rail.

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Objectives 3 of 3

• Explain the NFPA 704 System.• Explain the use of transportation containers in

identifying possible contents.• Explain the location of emergency shutoff valves on

highway containers.• Explain the importance of understanding chemical and

physical properties of hazardous materials.

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Introduction

• Four basic clues to recognition and identification:• Location and occupancy.• Placards, labels, and

markings.• Container types.• The use of senses.

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Location and Occupancy• Average home has a large amount of hazardous

materials.• Rural communities and farms have unique risks.• Hazardous materials storage.• Businesses present a wide range of risks.

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Agricultural Supply Store

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Roadway

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Placards, Labels, and Markings

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Placards

• DOT - 49 CFR 170-180.• DOT system uses nine hazard classifications with

more than 27 placards.• DOT also requires United Nations/North America

(UN/NA) identification number.

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Class 1, Explosives

• Division 1.1

• Division 1.2

• Division 1.3

• Division 1.4

• Division 1.5

• Division 1.6

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Class 2, Gases

• Division 2.1

• Division 2.2

• Division 2.3

• Hazard Zone A

• Hazard Zone B

• Hazard Zone C

• Hazard Zone D

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Class 3, Flammable Liquids

• Flash point less than 141 degrees F.

• Combustible liquids are those with flash points between 100-200 degrees F.

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Class 4, Flammable Solids

• Division 4.1

• Division 4.2

• Division 4.3

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25Class 5, Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides

• Division 5.1

• Division 5.2

• Type A

• Type B

• Type C

• Type D

• Type E

• Type F

• Type G

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Type 6, Poisonous Materials

• Division 6.1

• Division 6.2

• Hazardous Zone A

• Hazardous Zone B

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Class 7, Radioactive Materials

• Materials determined to have radioactivity at certain levels.

• Radioactive I.• Radioactive II.• Radioactive III.

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Class 8, Corrosives

• Acids• Bases• Visible destruction in skin or

corrodes steel or aluminum.

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25Class 9, Miscellaneous Hazardous

• Catchall category.

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Other Placards and Labels

• Dangerous• Specific name• Stow away from foodstuffs• ORM-D• Marine Pollutant

• Elevated temperature• Infectious substances• Fumigated • Residue

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LABELS

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NFPA 704

• Health hazard – Blue.• Fire hazard – Red.• Reactivity hazard – Yellow.• Special Hazard – White.

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25Hazardous Materials Information System

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Military Warning Signs

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Pipeline Markings

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Container Markings

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Pesticide Container Markings

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Containers

• Hazardous materials come in variety of containers.• Type of material and use determine packaging.• Type of container provides clues to contents.• Be alert for anything unusual.

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MC-331 Pressurized Tanker

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Containers

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Containers

• Cardboard boxes

• Bottles

• Bags

• Drums

• Cylinders

• Totes

• Bulk tanks

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Pipelines

• Vary in size and pressure.

• Sized between 1⁄2 inch and more than

6 feet.

• Can originate from bulk storage facilities.

• Can cross many states.

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25Highway Transportation

Containers

• Type of vehicle is a clue to contents.• Four basic truck types.• Leakage is often found in intermodal containers.• Tank trucks carry up to 10,000 gallons.

CHAPTER

25DOT-406/MC-306 Gasoline Tank

Truck

CHAPTER

25DOT-407/MC-307 Chemical

Hauler

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25DOT 412/MC 312 Corrosive

tanker

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BLEVE

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MC-338 Cryogenic Tankers

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Tube Trailers

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Dry Bulk Tanks

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Hot Materials Tanker

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Intermodal Tanks

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Nonpressurized Railcar

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Specialized Railcars

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Markings on Railcars

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Specialized Tanks

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Senses

• Vision and hearing are acceptable senses in investigating potential chemical releases.

• Sensory clues from others are useful.• Many toxic materials can be harmful if touched.

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25Chemical and Physical

Properties

• States of matter.• Vapor pressure.• Vapor density.• Specific gravity.• Corrosivity.• Chemical reactivity.

• Flashpoint.• Autoignition temperature.• Flammable range.• Toxic products of

combustion.

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States of Matter

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Vapor Pressure

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Vapor Density

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Specific Gravity

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Wrap-Up

• Ability to recognize hazardous materials is important.• Memorization is not important, but knowing how to

access information is.• Physical properties of chemicals will affect how they

react and should be managed.• Firefighters must be able to use available resources.