emergency response solutions class 4 materials.… · · 2017-11-05spsi emergency response...

Emergency Response Solutions

Class 4 Materials

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Class 4 Materials and Other Weird Stuff

Slide 2SPSI Emergency Response Solutions

Safety

• Goal is Zero– Come home with everything I started

with


Beware


Beware


Containers

• All modes• Nothing Special• Well kinda – Electronics Industry



Class 4 Materials


Highly Reactive Chemicals• Chemicals which are inherently

unstable and susceptible to rapid decomposition as well as chemicals which, under specific conditions, can react alone, or with other substances in a violent uncontrolled manner, liberating heat, toxic gases, or leading to an explosion.


Understanding

• Reactive chemicals• Instability of chemicals• Chemical reactivity


What Is a Reactive Chemical?

• Solid or liquid• Reactive to air, water,

or other chemicals• Sensitive to shock,

heat, or friction• Corrosive, poisonous,

or flammable by-products


Remember

• Reactive chemicals in a normal upright container under their normal storage conditions at the correct concentration present no harm


What are Reactive Chemicals• Workplace Hazardous Material

Information System (WHMIS) criteria define dangerously reactive liquids and solids as those that can: – undergo vigorous polymerization,

condensation or decomposition – become self-reactive under conditions of

shock or increase in pressure or temperature – react vigorously with water to release a lethal

or flammable gas


Health Hazards• Burn skin, eyes,

nose, throat• May be poisonous• Irritate eyes, skin,

and respiratory tract• Cause dizziness

and vomiting• Cause asphyxiation

and death• Consult the MSDS

for health hazard information


Class 4 Materials


Fire Hazard• Friction• Absorption of

moisture• Spontaneous

chemical changes• Retained heat• Readily ignited


Remember

• Reaction rates almost always increase dramatically as the temperature increases.


Remember

• If heat evolved from a reaction is not dissipated, the reaction can accelerate out of control and possibly result in injuries or costly accidents.


Definitions

• Reactivity is the tendency of a material or combination of materials to undergo chemical change under the right conditions.


Definitions

• Reactive materials are commonly regarded as those materials that can be hazardous by themselves when caused to react by heat, pressure, shock, friction, a catalyst, or by contact with air or water.


Definitions

• Reactive interactions require the combining of two or more materials to pose a hazardous situation by chemical reaction.


Class 4 Materials


Pyrophoric

• Pyrophoric liquids and solids spontaneously ignite within 5 minutes after coming into contact with air.


Water-reactive

• Chemicals become spontaneously flammable or emit flammable gases in potentially dangerous quantities upon contact with water, steam or moisture.


Water and Air Reactives

• The main hazard associated with pyrophoric and water-reactive chemicals is fire upon contact with air or moisture.


Water and Air Reactives• The hazards associated with these

chemicals is exacerbated by the fact that many are stored in highly flammable solvents (e.g., diethyl ether, hexane, pentane, tetrahydrofuran, etc.), further increasing the risk and severity of fires.



• Response to these materials requires a mindset change

• Normal techniques may not work


Water and Air Reactives• In addition to reactivity and

flammability, many of these chemicals are also classified as acutely toxic, corrosive, reproductive toxins, peroxide-forming agents or capable of damaging the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.


Class 4 Materials



• Death, Heat, Light and Sound can be generated


Toxic Materials Released• Things like:

– Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)– Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)– Hydrochloric acid (HCl)– Hydrogen bromide (HBr)– Ammonia (NH3)– Phosphine (PH3)– Sulfur dioxide (SO2)


Pictograms• The flame symbol

may mean:– Flammables.– Pyrophoric.– Self-heating

chemicals.– Chemicals that emit

flammable gas.– Self-reactive

chemicals.– Organic peroxides.

An example of this is xylene, a common component of paint remover and a

solvent used in many workplaces. It is a flammable liquid and also creates a

vapor that is flammable.


Ammonium nitrate, used as a fertilizer, is an example of a chemical with an explosive hazard.

Pictograms• The exploding bomb

symbol may mean:– Explosives.– Self reactives.– Organic peroxides.


NFPA 704 Reactivity

Instability


NFPA 704• Instability vs Reactivity• Don’t confuse• Instability (Yellow)

– 0 Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water (e.g. helium)

– 1 Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures (e.g. propene)

– 2 Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water (e.g., white phosphorus, potassium, sodium)

– 3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition but requires a strong initiating source, must be heated under confinement before initiation, reacts explosively with water, or will detonate if severely shocked (e.g. ammonium nitrate, chlorine trifluoride)

– 4 Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures (e.g., nitroglycerine, Trinitrotoluene)


Class 4 Materials


CAUTION

• Not all water reactive / air reactive / spontaneous combustible materials are classed as DOT Class 4 materials


Examples

• Sodium azide• Boron trifluoride• Chlorine trifluoride• Oily rags• Oily cat litter• Acids & Bases


Water to Acid



Springfield, MA 1988

• Rain water leaked into a room where hundreds of drums of dry swimming pool chemicals were stored, causing an explosion.

• The explosion and resulting fire set off the sprinkler system that soaked the remaining drums.


Springfield, MA 1988

• The fire, explosions and chlorine releases lasted three days.

• Over 25,000 people were evacuated, and 275 people went to the hospital with skin burns and respiratory problems.


Class 4 Materials



PPE


Gloves

• Heavy, chemical resistant gloves, Nomex or related aramid fiber gloves – It is recommended that leather or Kevlar

gloves be worn underneath chemical gloves for fire protection purposes.


PPE• FR clothing • Chemical Protection• Flash Protection• Shirts, pants and other clothing

should be cotton or wool. • Synthetic clothing is strongly

discouraged where pyrophoric chemicals are used.


Respiratory Protection

• Cartridges• SCBA• Supplied Air


Boots

• Caution: Most chemical protective boots are not fire protection


Common Transported Class 4• Alkali metals• Metal powders• Aluminum phosphide• Sodium batteries• Sodium cells• Firelighters• Matches• Calcium carbide• Camphor• Carbon• Activated carbon• Celluloid• Cerium

• Copra• Seed cake• Oily cotton waste• Desensitized explosives• Oily fabrics• Oily fibers• Ferrocerium• Iron oxide (spent• Iron sponge/direct-reduced iron

(spent) • Metaldehyde• Naphthalene• Nitrocellulose• Phosphorus• Sulphur


Class 4 Materials

Slide 43SPSI Emergency Response Solutions Slide 44SPSI Emergency Response Solutions

DOT Flammable Solids

• About 135 flammable solids• Includes NOS listings


4.1 Flammable Solid

• Flammable solids means any of the following three types


Three Types• Desensitized Explosives: explosives that,

when dry, are Explosives of Class 1 other than those of compatibility group A, which are wetted with sufficient water, alcohol, or plasticizer to suppress explosive properties; and are specifically authorized by name either in the 49CFR 172.101 Table or have been assigned a shipping name and hazard class by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.


Three Types

• Self-Reactive Materials: materials that are thermally unstable and that can undergo a strongly exothermic decomposition even without participation of oxygen (air).


Three Types• Generic Types: Division 4.1 self-reactive

materials are assigned to a generic system consisting of seven types. – A self-reactive substance identified by technical

name in the Self-Reactive Materials Table in 49CFR 173.224 is assigned to a generic type in accordance with that Table.

– Self-reactive materials not identified in the Self-Reactive Materials Table in 49CFR 173.224 are assigned to generic types under the procedures of paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section.


Class 4 Materials


Type DescriptionType A Self-reactive material type A is a self-reactive material which, as packaged for transportation,

can detonate or deflagrate rapidly. Transportation of type A self-reactive material is forbidden.Type B Self-reactive material type B is a self-reactive material which, as packaged for transportation,

neither detonates nor deflagrates rapidly, but is liable to undergo a thermal explosion in a package.

Type C Self-reactive material type C is a self-reactive material which, as packaged for transportation, neither detonates nor deflagrates rapidly and cannot undergo a thermal explosion.

Type D 1.Self-reactive material type D is a self-reactive material which: Detonates partially, does not deflagrate rapidly and shows no violent effect when heated under confinement;2.Does not detonate at all, deflagrates slowly and shows no violent effect when heated under confinement; or3.Does not detonate or deflagrate at all and shows a medium effect when heated under confinement.

Type E Self-reactive material type E is a self-reactive material which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates nor deflagrates at all and shows only a low or no effect when heated under confinement.

Type F Self-reactive material type F is a self-reactive material which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates in the cavitated state nor deflagrates at all and shows only a low or no effect when heated under confinement as well as low or no explosive power.

Type G Self-reactive material type G is a self-reactive material which, in laboratory testing, does not detonate in the cavitated state, will not deflagrate at all, shows no effect when heated under confinement, nor shows any explosive power. A type G self-reactive material is not subject to the requirements of this subchapter for self-reactive material of Division 4.1 provided that it is thermally stable (self-accelerating decomposition temperature is 50°C (122°F) or higher for a 50 kg (110 pounds) package). A self-reactive material meeting all characteristics of type G except thermal stability is classed as a type F self-reactive, temperature control material.


Three Types• Readily Combustible Solids: materials that

are solids which may cause a fire through friction, such as matches; show a burning rate faster than 2.2 mm (0.087 inches) per second when tested in accordance with UN Manual of Tests and Criteria; or are any metal powders that can be ignited and react over the whole length of a sample in 10 minutes or less, when tested in accordance with UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.


DOT Class 4.1-Examples• Matches• Nitrocellulose

membrane filters• Pentaborane• Silicon Powder• Wetted Explosives

• Sulfur• Titanium Powder

(wetted)• Powdered Metals• Zinc Resinate• Naphthalene


Intense Burning/Difficult to Extinguish

• Examples of solids that burn intensely and are difficult to extinguish include the following:– Oxygen containing chemicals (e.g.,1,3,5-trioxane,

metaldehyde)– Nitrogen containing chemicals (e.g.,

hexamethylenetetramine)– Nitro-group chemicals (e.g., nitrocellulose)– Mixtures (e.g., flares, thermite)

• The presence of nitrogen and oxygen in these chemicals is why they burn so fiercely and are so difficult to extinguish. If under certain confinement conditions, some of the chemicals will explode.


Peroxy Materials

• Very reactive• Self decomposition• Deflagration and detonation• Shock, friction, pressure sensitive


Flash Point Solids• The flash point solids are a small group of

materials. – Examples include paraformaldehyde, naphthalene (moth

balls), and camphor. • Flash point solids sublime (i.e., change directly

into a vapor without passing through the liquid state).

• As a result, these materials have flash points, and ignite in a manner similar to combustible liquids.

• Once ignited, the materials will melt and flow, like a flammable liquid.


Class 4 Materials


Maximum Safe Storage Temperature

• The maximum safe temperature at which a product can be stored. This temperature is well below the SADT.


Self Accelerating Decomposition Temperature

• SADT - temperature above which the decomposition of an unstable substance continues unimpeded, regardless of the ambient or external temperature. – The Emergency Temperature is 10°C /

18°F below the SADT



Vazo™• Free radical sources from Chemours provide efficient initiation

of many chemical reactions, including:– acrylic and vinyl polymerizations– halogenations (brominations)– oxidations and related chain reactions– additions of small molecules across olefinic double bonds– cross-linking

• Product Description– The Vazo™ free radical sources are substituted azonitrile compounds

that thermally decompose to generate two free radicals per molecule. (Nitrogen gas is also generated.) The rate of decomposition is first-order and is unaffected by contaminants such as metal ions.

• Decomposition products TOXIC and FLAMMABLE• Vazo 64 – Azobisisobutyronitrile - TMSN


Class 4 Materials


Nitrocellulose


Picric Acid


Mg Powder


Fusee / Flares


Hexamethylenetetramine


Class 4 Materials


Metal Powders


Sulfur


Case Study


Note-

• DOT considers the primary hazards of these materials to be their FLAMMABILITY.

• These materials may also be toxic or corrosive themselves and may give off toxic and corrosive fumes when they ignite.


Response to 4.1 Materials

• If there is currently no fire, eliminate all ignition sources

• Consider wetting down spills to prevent ignition



• Approach fires involving these materials cautiously– Consider using unmanned monitors to

battle fires due to the potential for explosion or deflagration.


Class 4 Materials



• Fight fires with water, CO2, sand, earth, dry chemical extinguishers.

• In most cases, decontamination can be done with soap and water, with solvents or with “dry decon” techniques.



• In the event of fire, water curtains may be used to knock down fumes and protect surrounding populations.– All runoff water should be contained due

to toxicity and pH concerns


4.2 Spontaneously Combustible Material

• Spontaneously combustible materials means any of the following materials:– 1) pyrophoric materials which can be a solid or

a liquid that even in small quantities and without an external ignition source, can ignite within 5 minutes after coming in contact with air.

– 2) self-heating material which in contact with air and without energy supply is liable to self heat and ignite or heat to above 200C (392F).


DOT

• About 106 listed• Includes NOS listings


Spontaneously Combustible Substances

• React with oxygen to ignite or burn without ignition

• ‘4’ in red part of NFPA diamond label

• Avoid exposure to air


Class 4 Materials


Air Reactive Materials

• React with air. • Could be moist or dry.• Could fume or spontaneously

ignite• Could corrode


Pyrophoric

• A pyrophoric material can spontaneously ignite in air. – The word is derived from Greek for "fire-

bearing".


Pyrophoric

• Many pyrophoric materials are also water reactive, reacting vigorously with water or high humidity, often igniting upon contact.


Pyrophoric Chemicals

• Around 150 chemicals are pyrophoric

• Not all are listed as spontaneous chemicals


Pyrophoric Chemicals• Some metals and alloys in bulk form

(cerium, plutonium)• Some materials are stable in large

chunks, but become pyrophoric as powders.– Finely divided metals (iron, aluminum,

magnesium, calcium, zirconium, uranium, titanium, bismuth, hafnium, thorium, osmium, neodymium)


Pyrophoric Chemicals• Metal hydrides (sodium hydride,

lithium aluminum hydride, uranium trihydride)

• Iron sulfide: often encountered in oil and gas facilities where corrosion products in steel plant equipment can ignite if exposed to air.


Class 4 Materials


Pyrophoric Chemicals

• Used hydrogenation catalysts such as palladium on carbon or Raney nickel (especially hazardous because of the adsorbed hydrogen)


Pyrophoric Gases

• Nonmetal hydrides (arsine, phosphine, borane, germane, silane)

• Metal carbonyls (dicobaltoctacarbonyl, nickel carbonyl)


Class 4.2• Activated Carbon• Lithium Alkyds (such

as n-butyl lithium)• Barium• Phosphorus• Organo metallic

compounds

• Potassium Sulfide (anhydrous)

• Sodium Sulfide (anhydrous)


Interesting 4.2 Materials• Charcoal• Wet Cotton• Fish meal• Rags, oily• Seed cake• Textile waste, wet• Wool waste, wet


Radioactives

• Plutonium:– Several compounds are pyrophoric, and

it causes some of the most serious fires occurring in United States Department of Energy facilities


Radioactives• Uranium is pyrophoric, as shown in

the disintegration of depleted uranium penetrator rounds into burning dust upon impact with their targets.

• In finely divided form it is readily ignitable, and uranium scrap from machining operations is subject to spontaneous ignition


Class 4 Materials


Other Problems

• Remember: Many pyrophoric materials are shipped dissolved in solvents which cause additional or increased fire




Titanium Powder


Trimethyl Aluminum


Class 4 Materials


Trimethylindium


TEA


Diborane


Silane


Barking Dogs


Class 4 Materials


Burning White Phosphorus


Case Study

• On July 8, 1986 at 4:25 pm, a southbound Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company (B&O) freight train Southland Flyer (SLFR) derailed.


Case Study

• The train consisted of a locomotive and 44 cars traveling over the bridge spanning Bear Creek near Miamisburg, Ohio.


Case Study

• The Miamisburg Fire Department was assisted by 14 additional fire departments from nearby communities.

• Numerous county, regional and state agencies arrived and offered assistance.


Case Study

• The Train Master challenged the Incident Commander’s authority to handle the emergency and was subsequently escorted from the command post under threat of arrest.


Case Study

• Over the five day duration of the incident, crews were rotated in and out, millions of gallons of water were flowed onto the fire.


Class 4 Materials


Case Study

• By the time the emergency was declared under control, local hospitals received 569 persons with nonfatal injuries, including 13 emergency response personnel.

• 50,000 people evacuated


Case Study

• The thirtieth car, Union Tank Care Company (YTLX) 79499 was loaded with yellow phosphorous and came to rest on its side south of the bridge with its dome rotated to the east approximately 45 degrees .


Case Study

• A subsequent fire resulted, releasing thick clouds of phosphorus combustion effluents.


Case Study• Liquid phosphorus was released on

the ground through the 20 cm (8in) tear in the bottom of the tank shell near the airbrake support bracket attachment.

• The exposed phosphorus smoldered then ignited within 15 minutes.


Phosphorus Tank Car


Case Study


Class 4 Materials


Response to 4.2 Materials• DOT considers the major hazard of

these materials to be their tendency to “spontaneously ignite”. They may self-ignite in dry or moist air. – In addition, many of these materials may

be toxic or corrosive and their combustion products may be highly toxic, corrosive, etc.



• If no fire is present, eliminate ignition sources.

• Some of these materials may decompose explosively if exposed to heat

• These materials may reignite after a fire is extinguished.



• Fight fire from the maximum distance possible or use unmanned monitors.

• These materials may be water reactive. – Consult a Material Safety Data Sheet to

determine whether to use water to fight fires!



• Water may not be appropriate to fight fires.

• If water is used it should be deluge quantities. Control runoff to prevent environmental damage.



• Water or dry decontamination may be done. If water is used for decon, use large quantities.

• A water curtain may be used to minimize the impact of fumes on the surrounding community. Contain runoff water.



Class 4 Materials


4.3 Dangerous When Wet

• Dangerous when wet material means a material that by contact with water is liable to become spontaneously flammable or will give off flammable or toxic gas at a rate greater than 1 liter per kilogram of material per hour.


DOT Water Reactives

• About 129 listings• Includes NOS listings


Water Reactives• Heat, toxic gases,

ruptured containers• ‘W’ in NFPA label• Avoid inadvertent

contact with water


Water Reactive

• Water reactive substances are dangerous when wet because they undergo a chemical reaction with water.


Water Reactive

• This reaction may release a gas that is either flammable or presents a toxic health hazard.

• Gases and solids released can be corrosive.


Water Reactive• In addition, the heat generated when

water contacts such materials is often enough for the item to spontaneously combust or explode.

• In simpler terms, water reactive materials are incompatible with water.


Class 4 Materials


Water Reactive• Causes large evolution of heat in

contact with water, decomposes in moist air, and violently decomposes with liquid water. – Examples: Sulfuric acid, chlorosulfonic

acid, oleum, phosphorous trioxide and pentoxide, acetyl halides, phosphorus halides, titanium tetrachloride, glyoxal.


Water Reactive ExamplesCATEGORY EXAMPLES

Alkali and alkaline-earth metals Calcium, potassium, sodium, lithium

Anhydrous metal halides Aluminum tribromide, germanium tetrachloride, titanium tetrachloride

Anhydrous metal oxides Calcium oxide

Grignard reagents Ethylmagnesium chloride, methylmagnesium bromide

Metal alkyls Aluminum alkyls, lithium alkyls

Metal amides Lead amide, potassium amide, silver amide, sodium amide

Metal hydrides Calcium hydride, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, sodium hydride

Nonmetal hydrides Boron trifluoride, phosphorus trichloride, silicon tetrachloride

Nonmetal halide oxides (inorganic acid halides)

Phosphoryl chloride, sulfuryl chloride, chlorosulfuric acid

Nonmetal oxides Phosphorus pentoxide, sulfur trioxide

Low-molecular-weight organic acid halides and anhydrides

Acetic anhydride, acetyl chloride

Other Calcium carbide


Water Reactive Materials• Alkali metals (Sodium metal, lithium metal) • Anhydrides (acetic anhydrides) • Carbides (calcium carbide) • Halides (Acetyl chloride, titanium chloride, stannous

chloride) • Hydrides (sodium hydride) • Organometallics (tetramethyl aluminum) • oxides (sodium oxides) • Peroxides (sodium peroxide) • Phosphides (aluminum phosphide) • and others (chlorosulfonic acid, aluminum tribromide)


Hydrides

• Hydrides are compounds of metals and hydrogen.

• Examples:– Lithium hydride, sodium hydride,

potassium hydride, lithium aluminum hydride, borane, and diborane (gas)


Hydrides

• They are irritants, toxic, and are flammable solids and gases.

• They are water-reactive and will burn when placed in the open air.


Hydrides

• The fires have to be extinguished with Class D fire extinguishers due to the reactivity of the materials.

• When they burn or react with water, they generate highly basic materials like sodium hydroxide.


Class 4 Materials


Carbides• These classes of materials contain a

metal and carbon only. They are water-reactive and generate a flammable gas and the corresponding base: – Calcium carbide generates acetylene and

calcium hydroxide. – Aluminum carbide generates methane and

aluminum hydroxide. – Magnesium carbide generates propyne and

magnesium hydroxide.


Carbides

• Not all are water reactive– Silicon carbide (carborundum)– Tungsten carbide


Nitrides• This class of materials contains a

metal and nitrogen only. They react with water to give a base and ammonia.

• They are usually quite pyrophoric– Examples: magnesium nitride, lithium

nitride• Lithium nitride is very pyrophoric.


Phosphides

• These materials contain only a metal and phosphorus.

• They are very toxic and generate phosphine gas and a base when wet.


Phosphides

• Phosphine (PH3) is very toxic (TWA 0.3 ppm) and pyrophoric.

• Phosphine has a fish- or garlic-like odor.

• Examples of phosphides are:– Aluminum phosphide and calcium

phosphide.


Chlorides

• These materials contain a metal and chlorine.

• Some are water reacting• Some of them are fuming


Class 4 Materials


Chlorides

• They generate hydrogen chloride gas when they get wet.

• Some are explosive when mixed with water.

• Examples are:


Chlorides

• Aluminum chloride (anhydrous) (AlCl3) is a yellowish-white, fuming, hygroscopic solid.

• Boron trichloride (BCl3) is a colorless, fuming liquid.


Chlorides

• Stannic chloride (SnCl3) is a colorless, fuming, very caustic oily liquid. Significant heat is given off when mixed with water.


Chlorides

• Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) a colorless, fuming liquid.


Chlorides• Phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3) is a fuming,

oily liquid with a pungent odor. • This material also generates phosphoric acid

and hydrochloric acid on contact with water or moist air and is extremely corrosive.

• Phosphorus oxychloride reacts violently with water, but the reaction may be delayed for some minutes.

• After mixing, phosphorus oxychloride forms a separate layer below the water until the heat of the reaction at the interface between the two layers causes violent boiling.


Chlorides

• Phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5) is a yellowish solid that fumes in moist air. This material is also a flammable solid and very corrosive.


Class 4 Materials


Chlorides

• Phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) is a highly reactive, fuming liquid that generates large amounts of HCl on contact with water or moist air.


Chlorides

• Silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) is a colorless, fuming liquid whose fumes cause a feeling of suffocation.


Chlorides

• Sulfur chloride (Sulfur monochloride) (S2Cl2) is an amber to yellowish-red, oily, fuming liquid that decomposes on contact with water to give HCl and SO2.


Chlorides

• Sulfuryl chloride (SO2Cl2) is a colorless, fuming liquid with a very pungent odor. It also produces HCl and SO2 when exposed to moist air.


Chlorides

• Thionyl chloride (SOCl2) is a reddish-yellow, fuming liquid and is a strong skin irritant whose fumes cause a feeling of suffocation.


Bromides• These materials contain a metal and

bromine. • Some are water reacting• Some of them are fuming• They generate hydrogen bromide

gas when they get wet. • Some are explosive when mixed

with water.


Class 4 Materials


Sodium Phosphide (Phosphine)


Silane



Trichlorosilane


Class 4 Materials


Calcium Carbide


Mg Powder


Activation Energies of Group I Elements

Energy

Reaction Pathway

Potassium

Sodium

Lithium

Cesium


Calcium


Class 4 Materials


Fire Water


Sodium


Try This Today


BPS Case Study

• A smoldering bag of pesticide caused a mid-morning explosion that killed three firefighters in West Helena, Ark. and injured another 20 fire fighters.


Class 4 Materials


BPS Case Study

• The incident began around 10:00 a.m. when the West Helena Fire Department was called in to examine a smoldering 27 cubic foot container of azinphosmethyl, a pesticide used on fruit to control insects.


BPS Case Study

• Four fire fighters were approaching the container when a heat-triggered explosion blew out one of the cinder block walls, crushing three of the men and trapping the fourth with debris.


BPS Case Study


BPS Case Study

• At the time of the explosion, the WHFD received a call from the New Jersey Bartlo Packaging chemist.


BPS Case Study

• The fireman reported that the chemist asked whether the sprinkler system had activated and explained to the firefighter that two different types of chemicals were present at the site.


BPS Case Study

• According to the firefighter, the chemist said the chemicals would explode if water was put on them.


Class 4 Materials


BPS

• Fire attacks were unsuccessful do to reacting materials

• By May 14, 1997, Maneb was the primary chemical still burning at the facility.


BPS

• Maneb is air reactive and water reactive.

• After several unsuccessful efforts to extinguish the fire, emergency responders decided to spread the Maneb into thin layers and then to fog it with water.


Case Study

• Flash fire shut down the Science and Research Center on XXXU's campus.

• The building remained closed down while crews made sure students and faculty could safely return.


Case Study

• A research experiment on the 5th floor started the fire.


Case Study

• Fire crews say just before 10 a.m. a faculty member opened a can of lithium aluminum hydride, a chemical highly sensitive and reactive to moisture.


Class 4 Materials


Case Study

• [Reports] say the humidity in the room sparked an instant fire.


Case Study

• The faculty member was burned on his face and hands and had to be rushed to the hospital.


Case Study

• Students and faculty in nearby classrooms were evacuated from the building.


Case Study

• The burning can was put in the hallway, where employees tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.

• When firefighters arrived, they also tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.


Case Study

• The fire was finally controlled by replacing the cover on the can.

• When all of the oxygen was used up, the fire self-extinguished.

• There was a two inch deep pit burnt into the cement floor.



• DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM to fight fires– If fighting a fire involving a container

involving these materials:• Avoid getting water inside containers• Use DELUGE to cool outside of containers• Smother fires with dry sand, soda ash or

dry chemical fire extinguishers


Class 4 Materials



• In the event of spills:– Eliminate all ignition sources.– Use water spray to control vapors being

careful to avoid wetting material. DO NOT APPLY WATER TO MATERIAL SPILLS UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO SO

– Cover spills with dry earth, plastic, etc. Clean up powder spills and drum.



• DRY Decontamination is preferred for Class 4.3 materials.

• In the event wet decontamination is necessary, “surround and drown” to minimize danger to personnel. Capture decon water for disposal as Hazardous Waste.



Response


Response Summary

• Traditional Response most likely will not work

• Think outside the box• Risk based response


TEA Other


Aluminum Alkyls


Class 4 Materials


Response

• Water reactive materials may react violently with water and may fume significantly.

• Air reactive materials may also be water reactive

• USE of water could cause VIOLENT explosions


Response

• Depending on the specific material, it may be possible to use a water curtain to contain the fumes present– taking precautions to avoid spraying water directly into the material.


Response

• Alternately, the materials may be covered with dry sand, clay, etc. or absorbed into an appropriate non-reactive absorbent and shoveled up into sealed drums.



Who is SPSI


MagnaSeal


Class 4 Materials


Contact Information• Barry Lindley • Email:

– [email protected]– [email protected]

• Cell (304) 545-1953• Emergency (877) 228-7774• www.dupontert.com• www.callspsi.com

emergency response solutions class 4 materials.… · · 2017-11-05spsi emergency response...

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