Guide Pages

 
GUIDE
132
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS - CORROSIVE
 
POTENTIAL HAZARDS

FIRE OR EXPLOSION

  • Flammable/combustible material.
  • May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
  • Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
  • Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
  • Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks).
  • Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers.
  • Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
  • Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard.
  • Containers may explode when heated.
  • Many liquids are lighter than water.

HEALTH

  • May cause toxic effects if inhaled or ingested/swallowed.
  • Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
  • Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
  • Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation.
  • Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
PUBLIC SAFETY
  • CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
  • As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
  • Keep unauthorized personnel away.
  • Stay upwind.
  • Keep out of low areas.
  • Ventilate closed spaces before entering.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

  • Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
  • Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection.
  • Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible.

EVACUATION

Spill

  • See Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted materials. For non-highlighted materials, increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown under "PUBLIC SAFETY".

Fire

  • If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE

FIRE

  • Some of these materials may react violently with water.

Small Fire

  • Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.

Large Fire

  • Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam.
  • Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.
  • Dike fire-control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.
  • Do not get water inside containers.

Fire involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads

  • Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles.
  • Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
  • Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
  • ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
  • For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.

SPILL OR LEAK

  • Fully encapsulating, vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire.
  • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in 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.
  • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
  • A vapor suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.
  • Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers (except for Hydrazine).
  • Use clean non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

Large Spill

  • Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.
  • Water spray may reduce vapor; but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces.

FIRST AID

  • Move victim to fresh air.
  • Call 911 or emergency medical service.
  • Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing.
  • Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device.
  • Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
  • Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.
  • In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.
  • In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin.
  • Keep victim warm and quiet.
  • Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.
  • Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves.
 
 
 
 
Date modified:
2012-08-08