Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, 7th Edition Chapter 14 — Hazardous Materials: Descriptions and Identification Methods Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What inspection duties are made possible by the accurate identification of hazardous materials? Inspector I Inspector I

Learning Objective 1 Identify examples of commercial occupancies that are probable locations for significant quantities of hazardous materials. Inspector I Inspector I

Occupancies Likely to Contain Quantities of Hazardous Materials Fuel storage facilities Fuel-dispensing stations and repair garages Paint and hardware supply stores Courtesy of Dave Warwick Aerial Photography (Continued) Inspector I

Occupancies Likely to Contain Quantities of Hazardous Materials Plant nurseries, garden centers, and agricultural facilities Pest control and lawn care companies Medical facilities Photo processing laboratories Dry cleaners (Continued) Inspector I

Occupancies Likely to Contain Quantities of Hazardous Materials Plastics and high-technology factories Metal-plating businesses Mercantile retailers Chemistry laboratories in educational facilities Lumberyards Feed/farm stores (Continued) Inspector I

Occupancies Likely to Contain Quantities of Hazardous Materials Veterinary clinics Print shops Warehouses Industrial and utility plants Port shipping facilities Treatment, storage, disposal (TSD) facilities Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What kinds of hazardous materials are commonly found in residential occupancies? Inspector I Inspector I

Learning Objective 2 Compare the characteristics of flammable and combustible liquids. Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What is a hazardous material? Inspector I

Flammable and Combustible Liquids Nonflammable, but vapors released by liquids will ignite Temperature Prevention of flammable/combustible liquids from igniting Identification/classification (Continued) Inspector I

Flammable and Combustible Liquids Distinction between flammable and combustible liquids Flash point variables Open-cup Closed-cup Flammable liquids Combustible liquids Inspector I

Learning Objective 3 Describe characteristics of compressed and liquefied gases. Inspector I

Compressed and Liquefied Gases Classified by principal uses Found in various types of occupancies Most prevalent problems Inspector I

Learning Objective 4 Discuss cryogenic liquids. Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What are some common cryogenic liquids? Inspector I Inspector I

Cryogenic Liquids Cryogenics Boiling point -130°F (-90°C) Advantages Hazards Safety measures Inspector I

Learning Objective 5 Discuss flammable solids. Inspector I

Flammable Solids Any solids other than explosives that are capable of causing a fire through Friction Absorption of moisture Spontaneous chemical reaction Retained heat (Continued) Inspector I

Flammable Solids Ignition temperature of less than 212°F (100°C) Include a variety of materials If metals, require placement of Class D fire extinguisher nearby Inspector I

Learning Objective 6 Identify the hazards associated with toxic materials. Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What are some examples of commonplace toxic materials found in industrial and residential occupancies? Inspector I Inspector I

Toxic Materials Classifications May enter body through various methods (Continued) Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What are some commonly found toxic materials? Inspector I Inspector I

Toxic Materials Require PPE Threshold limit value (TLV) Toxicity Acute toxicity Chronic toxicity Short-term exposure limit (STEL) Inspector I

Learning Objective 7 Discuss oxidizers. Inspector I

Oxidizers Chemicals that initiate or promote combustion in other materials, causing fire by themselves or through the release of oxygen or other gases (Continued) Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION With what types of materials do oxidizers react to ignite? Inspector I Inspector I

Oxidizers Reaction can result in explosion Decompose when exposed to heat Most likely oxidizers Inspector I

Learning Objective 8 Discuss radioactive and corrosive materials. Inspector I

Radioactive Materials Used in various locations Used for many purposes Transported by roadway, rail, or air Stored close to where used Inspector duties Behavior in fire Inspector I

Basic Types of Ionizing Radiation Alpha Beta Gamma X-Ray Neutron Inspector I

Corrosive Materials Chemicals that cause visible destruction or irreversible harm to skin tissue Liquid Types Some are flammable or combustible; some are incompatible with other materials Inspector I

Learning Objective 9 Describe explosives and blasting agents. Inspector I

Explosives DOT revision of Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) Based on United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Recommendations) Reclassified into six divisions Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Who regulates explosives and fireworks in Canada? Why is it important for inspectors to be able to identify the contents of hazardous materials containers? Inspector I Inspector I

Learning Objective 10 Describe the basic information that must be included on a U.S. safety data sheet (SDS). Inspector I

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Prepared by manufacturer to give: Hazardous ingredients Physical and chemical properties Physical and health hazards Routes of exposure Precautions for handling and use Emergency response Control measures Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION Where can an SDS be acquired? Inspector I

SDS Requirements U.S. and Canada converting to Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) SDS format Inspector I

Learning Objective 11 Describe transportation placards, labels, and markings. Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION Under what arrangement can trucks carrying hazardous materials move freely between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico? Inspector I Inspector I

UN Hazard Classes Class 1: Explosives Class 2: Gases Class 3: Flammable liquids Class 4: Flammable solids, substances liable to ignite spontaneously, substances that emit flammable gases on contact with water (Continued) Inspector I

UN Hazard Classes Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances Class 7: Radioactive substances Class 8: Corrosive substances Class 9: Misc. dangerous substances and articles Inspector I

UN Commodity Identification Numbers Four-digit number Displayed on placards, labels, orange panels, and/or white diamonds Identified in yellow-bordered pages of Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) (Continued) Inspector I

UN Commodity Identification Numbers Courtesy of Rich Mahaney Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION On which container packages are four-digit UN numbers usually found? Inspector I Inspector I

DOT Placards Diamond-shaped, color-coded sign that shippers provide to identify materials in transportation containers Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What additional information can be found on DOT placards? Inspector I Inspector I

DOT Label Printed matter on 3.9-inch (100 mm) square-on-point diamond that may or may not have written text identifying the hazardous material within packaging Each class assigned pictogram and division number Inspector I

DOT Marking Descriptive name, identification number, weight, or specification that includes instructions, cautions, or UN marks required on outer packaging containing hazardous materials or goods Inspector I

Placard Regulations Required on any material shipped in quantities of 1,001 pounds (454 kg) or greater Found on a number of containers Inspector I

Label More useful than placards Several may be found side by side Inspector I

Learning Objective 12 Discuss other types of markings that may be found on hazardous materials. Inspector I

Other Markings OSHA’s Hazardous Communications Standard (HCS) requirements of employers Marking requirements of chemical manufacturers and importers Pipeline companies NFPA® 704 system Inspector I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What marking system for hazardous materials and chemicals does the military use? Inspector I Inspector I

Manufacturer’s Labels and Warning Words CAUTION WARNING DANGER POISON Inspector I

Military Markings Used on fixed facilities May be used on military vehicles Not necessarily uniform Some buildings/areas may not be marked due to security reasons Inspector I

Pipeline Markings Must be in sufficient numbers to identify pipe’s location Do not always mark exact location of pipeline Include signal words Inspector I

Learning Objective 13 Describe the NFPA® 704 marking system for hazardous materials. Inspector I

NFPA® 704 System Not designed for transportation or general public use Ratings — Uses system of numbers from 0 (minimal hazard) to 4 (severe hazard) (Continued) Inspector I

NFPA® 704 System Categories Special hazards Health Flammability Instability Alternative Special hazards (Continued) Inspector I

NFPA® 704 System Inspector I

Learning Objective 14 Compare the resource guidebooks that are available for dealing with hazardous materials. Inspector I

Using the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) Identify UN identification number and find guide in yellow-bordered pages Use material name in blue-bordered pages Identify transportation placard and use three-digit guide code in Table of Placards and Initial Response Guide to Use On-Scene Inspector I

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) Reference source of general industrial hygiene information Provides key information/data for over 600 chemicals or groups of chemicals Designed for occupational safety personnel, employers, and employees Includes various information Inspector I

Hazardous Materials Guide for First Responders Result of study performed by USFA to determine resources available to emergency responders Contains material not found in ERG or NPG Sections Inspector I

Hazardous Materials Information Resource System (HMIRS) Automated system of DoD Central repository for SDSs for U.S. government military services and civil agencies Contains information including HAZCOM warning labels and transportation information Inspector I

Learning Objective 15 Discuss the Canadian Dangerous Goods System for classifying hazardous materials. Inspector I

Canadian Dangerous Goods System Dangerous goods regulated by federal or provincial government legislation Regulations Inspector responsibilities Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) (Continued) Inspector I

Canadian Dangerous Goods System Provincial Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations WHMIS regulations Supplier label Workplace label Inspector I

Learning Objective 16 Compare the Mexican Hazardous Communication System with the systems used by the U.S. and Canada. Inspector I

Mexican Hazardous Communication System Official Mexican standards (NOMs) NOM-018-STPS-2000 NOM-026-STPS-1998 Adoption of NFPA® 704 marking system and Hazardous Material Identification Guide (HMIG) Triangular caution symbols (Continued) Inspector I

Mexican Hazardous Communication System Transportation placards, labels, and markings Common Spanish warning terms Differences between Mexican transportation regulations and U.S. HMR Inspector I

Summary The ability to distinguish hazardous materials or dangerous goods by their properties and identify the materials or goods by the markings on the containers is basic to an inspector’s duties. (Continued) Inspector I

Summary Inspectors must be proficient in reading placards, markings, and labels of all types of hazardous materials or dangerous goods and using reference guidebooks. Inspector I

Review Questions 1. What is a weapon of mass destruction (WMD)? 2. What test methods can determine flash points? 3. Where may inspectors find compressed and liquefied gases in use? (Continued) Inspector I

Review Questions 4. What is a toxic material? 5. How do oxidizers react when exposed to heat? 6. With what types of ionizing radiation should inspectors be familiar? 7. How are explosives classified? (Continued) Inspector I

Review Questions 8. What sections must be included in a safety data sheet (SDS)? 9. What is a DOT marking? 10. How does the NFPA® 704 system work? Inspector I