GUIDE
117

Gases - Toxic - Flammable
(Extreme Hazard)

  POTENTIAL HAZARDS  
  HEALTH  
 
  • TOXIC; Extremely Hazardous.
  • May be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin.
  • Initial odor may be irritating or foul and may deaden your sense of smell.
  • Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
  • Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
  • Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
 
  FIRE OR EXPLOSION  
 
  • These materials are extremely flammable.
  • May form explosive mixtures with air.
  • May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
  • Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.
  • Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
  • Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
  • Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
  • Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and flammable gas through pressure relief devices.
  • Containers may explode when heated.
  • Ruptured cylinders may rocket.
 
  PUBLIC SAFETY  
 
  • CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
  • Keep unauthorized personnel away.
  • Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
  • Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.).
  • Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
 
  PROTECTIVE CLOTHING  
 
  • Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
  • Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE.
  • Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection..
 
  EVACUATION  
  Immediate precautionary measure
  • Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
Spill
  • See Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
Fire
  • If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions.
 
  EMERGENCY RESPONSE  
  FIRE  
  DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.

Small Fire
  • Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.
Large Fire
  • Water spray, fog or regular foam.
  • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
  • Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.
Fire involving Tanks
  • Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles.
  • Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
  • Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur.
  • Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
  • ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames.
 
  SPILL OR LEAK  
 
  • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.
  • All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded.
  • Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
  • Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
  • Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material.
  • Do not direct water at spill or source of leak.
  • If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid.
  • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
  • Isolate area until gas has dispersed.
  • Consider igniting spill or leak to eliminate toxic gas concerns.
 
  FIRST AID  
  Refer to the “General First Aid” section.  
  For “General First Aid” klick here  
  Specific First Aid:
  • In case of contact with liquefied gas, only medical personnel should attempt thawing frosted parts.
  • In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin.
 
   

ERG 2024