CDI6- FIRE PROTECTION AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

MODULE 10: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Page 1 of 5

LESSON PROPER

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IDENTITICATION

Hazard Classification

In the year 1976, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) used a hazard classification and
identification system all its own for explosives and other dangerous materials.
After many years of study, the DoD implemented the present classification system based on a system
recommended for international use by the United Nations Organization (UNO).

Below are the listings of all nine UNO Classes of Dangerous Materials:

Class 1 Explosives
Class 1 is divided into four divisions which indicate the type of hazards expected.

A. Class Division1.1
Mass detonating explosives comparable to Quantity-Distance (Q-D) Class 7 and M designated
items. Assigned to this class are principally blast hazards. They may be expected to mass detonate
when A small portion is initiated by any means, such as fire, severe concussion or impact impulse
of an Initiating agent.

B. Class Division 1.2

Non-mass detonating, fragment producing explosives. These items for which the principal hazards
may be fragments, toxicity, or blast.

C. Class Division 1.3

It includes explosives that present a mass fire hazard. Items assigned to this class usually burn
Vigorously with little or no possibility of no possibility of extinguishing fires that have gained
headway In storage situations. Explosions normally are confined to pressure propagating Shock
waves or Damaging blast or damaging blast pressures beyond the specified magazine distance. A
serious fire spread hazard can exist from projected burning fragments of propellant, incendiary
materials, Packing materials, etc.
D. Class Division 1.4
It includes explosives with a moderate fire hazard, but no blast hazard. Items assigned to this class
Primarily present fire hazards producing no blast and virtually no fragmentation or toxic hazards
Beyond the normal1 fire hazard (clearance) distance.
Class 2 – Gases: Compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure.
Class 3 – Flammable Liquids
Class 4 – Flammable Solids
Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
Class 6- Poisonous (toxic) and Infectious Substances
Class 6 is divided into 2 divisions

A. Class Division 6.1 Poisonous (toxic) gas, vapors or substances:

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These materials are comparable to Q-D Class 8, which includes those CB agents and items
normally assembled with explosive components, or where explosive components present little or
no blast or fragment hazards. No quantity-distances separations have been specifically established
for this class as a whole. Special safety criteria or instructions have not been provided with the
stock involved and safety separation appears necessary because of agent persistency, volatility,
toxicity, or other particular feature, requests for information should be made to higher
headquarters.
B. Class Division 6.2 Substances containing disease-producing micro-organisms. This class
division category is included for information only.
Class 7 Radioactive Substances
Class 8-Corrosives
Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous substances (substances which present a danger not covered by
the other classes).

NFPA Standard No. 704. Fire Hazards of Materials

Visually illustrates the hazards to firefighters fighting fires in fixed installations such as chemical processing
areas, storage and warehouse facilities, and laboratory entrances. The “704 Diamond” colored numbers is
used to illustrate the degree of hazard in 1th and the flammability and reactivity of hazardous materials.

The higher the number (0-4), the greater the degree of hazard. These numbers and symbols are easily
recognized by firefighters and they can take immediate steps to protect themselves. Unfortunately, this has
not been widely adopted by the general public or governmental units other than the fire departments.
Unfortunately, this method has not been widely adopted by the general public or governmental units other
than the fire departments.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) labeling system is perhaps the most widely used. New and more
descriptive placards and labels have been selected that permit fire fighters and emergency service people
all over the world to visually understand the hazards they face at the scene of an emergency.
Some of the more common labels and placards are described here (see Figure 2) and should be explored
in depth.

PLACARDS COLORS

 DANGEROUS Upper and lower triangles in red; Inscription in black and white

 EXPLOSIVES A and EXPLOSIVES B Orange background; symbol and inscription in black

 NON FLAMMABLE GAS Green background; symbol and inscription in whit

 OXYGEN, OXIDIZER and ORGANIC PEROXIDE Yellow background; symbol and inscription in black
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 POISON GAS, POISON AND CHLORINE White background; symbol, borderline and inscription in black

 FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE Red background; symbol and inscription in white

 FLAMMABLE SOLID White background with seven vertical red stripes;

symbol and inscription in black

 FLAMMABLE SOLID Triangle at top blue with white symbol; rest of

placard white with seven vertical red stripes and
inscription in black

 RADIOACTIVE Top portion yellow with black symbol lower portion

white with black inscription

 CORROSIVE Center and lower areas black; symbol in black and white

NOTE: The word “Gasoline” may be used in place of “Flammable” for highway transportation of gasoline.
The words “Fuel oil” may be used in place of “Combustible” for highway transportation of fuel oil that is not
Classed as a “flammable liquid.”

IMPORTANT

1. All four sides of the vehicle must be placarded. Placement of the front placard may occur on
either the cab or the cargo body, from any other marking or sign.
2. Placard must be placed at least 3 inches away from any other marking or sign. Double
placarding should be adjacent to each other.
3. Combinations of vehicles, each of which contains hazardous materials, shall be each
placarded in accordance with the above chart.
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PLACARDING REQUIREMENTS (ANY QUANTITY MUST BE PLACARDED)

HAZARD NEW PLACARD

Class A EXPLOSIVES EXPLOSIVES A
Class B Explosives EXPLOSIVES B
Flammable Solids (Dangerous When Wet, Label on FLAMMABLE SOLID
Container Only)

Radioactive Materials (Radioactive III yellow RADIOACTIVE

Container label)

Radioactive Materials (Uranium Hexafluoride, Fissile RADIOACTIVE & CORROSIVE

EMERGENCY ACTION GUIDE FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

CHLORINE: (Non-flammable Gas, Poisonous)

Potential Hazards
 Fire: Cannot catch fire
May ignite combustible
 Explosion: -Container may explode due to heat of fire.
 Health: - Contact may cause burns to skin or eyes.
 Vapors may be fatal if inhaled
 Runoff may pollute water supply.
Immediate Action
 Get help and notify local authorities
 If possible, wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
 Keep upwind and estimate immediate danger Area
 Evacuate according to Evacuation Table.

Immediate Follow-up Action

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Fire:
 Move containers from fire area if without risk
 Cool containers with water from maximum from maximum distance until fire is out
 Do not get water inside containers
 Do not use water on leaking container
 Stay away from ends of tanks.
Spill or Leak:
 Do not touch spilled liquid
 Stop leak if without risk
 Use water spray to reduce vapors
 Isolate area until gas has dispersed
 Do not get water inside container
First Aid:
 Bring victim to fresh air and open area. Call for emergency medical care. Effects of contact or
Inhalation may be delayed.
 If victim is not breathing, give artificial respiration
 If breathing difficult, give oxygen.
 If victim contacted the material, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 15
Minutes.
 Remove contaminated clothes
 Keep victim warm and quiet

EVACUATION TABLE:

APPROXIMATE SIZE OF SPILL DISTANCE TO EVACUATE FOR MAXIMUM SAFETY,

FROM DOWNWIND EVACUATION
IMMEDIATE DANGER AREA AREA SHOULD BE
200 square feet 160 yards (192 paces) 1 mile long. ½ wide
400 square feet 240 yards ( 288 paces) 1 ½ miles long, 1 mile wide
600 square feet 300 yards (360 paces) 1 ½ miles long, 1 mile wide

800 square feet 340 yards (408 paces) 2 miles long. 1 ½ miles wide
In the event of an explosion, the minimum safe distance from flying fragments
is 2000 feet in all direction.