Hazchem Code

Edn 2 – June 2008 S A F E T Y F I R S T 67

HAZMAT Awareness

Chapter 4: Hazardous Materials Identifi cation

The HAZCHEM Code (Emergency Action Code)

The HAZCHEM code was designed as a generic “fi rst three minutes action code” for early intervention. The HAZCHEM code is a two or three character code that gives fi refi ghters and other emergency response personnel the information they need for initial response in a haz ardous materials incident involving the bulk transportation of dangerous goods. At present, the HAZCHEM code for dangerous goods must appear as part of the information displayed on emergency information panels, which are fi tted to all vehicles transporting dangerous goods in bulk.

This information is designed to assist emergency personnel to determine the most appropriate actions to take at an incident.

Note: This code is generally issued to fi refi ghters and is carried on all fi re appliances.

The HAZCHEM code has a two or three character code that indicates the actions required in the event of a dangerous goods incident. The information contained within the code is outlined in the following in Figure 48 below.

Note: The HAZCHEM Code does not apply to radioactive substances, explosives or infectious substances.

Figure 46 – Hazchem Pocket Card (Emergency Action Code)

P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAIN

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ

PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARDE

Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel

HAZCHEMEmergencyAction CodeFOR FIRE OR SPILLAGE

1 WATER JET2 FOG3 FOAM4 DRY AGENT. ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM

Additional InformationDRY AGENTWater must not be allowed to come into contact

with the substance at risk.

ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM •2 or •3Alcohol resistant foam is the preferred medium.

If not available:

- If •2 – use Fine Spray or Water Fog

- If •3 – use Normal Foam

VSubstance can be violently or even explosively

reactive, including combustion.

FULLFull body protective clothing with BA.

DILUTEMay be washed to drain with large quantities of

water.

CONTAINPrevent, by any means available, spillage from

entering drains or water courses.

EPeople should be warned to stay indoors with all

doors and windows closed, -but evacuation may

need to be considered.

Consult Control, Police and product expert.

68 S A F E T Y F I R S T Edn 2 – June 2008

HAZMAT Awareness


Parts of the HAZCHEM code

The fi refi ghting extinguishing media is determined by reference to the fi rst characters of the emergency action code (EAC) as follows:

Denotes course water jet.1

Denotes fog or spray.2

Denotes normal foam i.e. foam, that is not 3 alcohol resistant.

Denotes dry agent – water MUST NOT 4 be allowed to come into contact with substance.

Note: Any number higher than the one shown can be used but a lower number may not be used.

P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAIN

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel



Bullets

Where the Hazchem code is preceded by a “bullet” symbol this indicates that alcohol resistant foam is the preferred medium.

If unavailable, default to the number that follows the bullet symbol in the HAZCHEM code.

When reading the HAZCHEM code, read from left to right. Each column on the code will be numbered to assist you in interpreting the information presented.

Figure 47 – types of extinguishing media here

P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAITT N

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel


Figure 48 – use of bullet symbol in HAZCHEM code

. 2YEThe . here indicates

alcohol resistant

foam is the preferred

firefighting medium.

If alcohol resistant foam

is unavailable, use fine

water or fog as next

most effective medium.

. 3YEThe . here indicates

alcohol resistant

foam is the preferred

firefighting medium.

If alcohol resistant foam

is unavailable, use

normal foam as next

most effective medium.

Example 1:

Example 2:


HAZMAT Awareness


Column 1

Provides a trigger to identify the appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment (PPC/PPE) and strategy required for the incident.

Column 2 – violent reaction

If the letter V appears in this column, a violent reaction or explosion can be expected under certain conditions.

This may happen if the substance:

is intrinsically unstable; F

has a fl ash point below 61°C; F

has the ability to cause an explosion, or F

greatly contribute to the intensity of a fi re, when in contact with organic or other combustible material, (powerful oxidizers belong to this category);

will react violently with water. For example, F

the application of water to fuming sulphuric acid causes a violent reaction and produces a large amount of heat;

will react with water to give off fl ammable F

gas; and

may cause a dust explosion. F

Figure 49 – trigger for personal protection

P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAIN

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel



Figure 50 – violent reaction likely indicator

P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAIN

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel



PFULL

DILUTE

CONTAITT N

BA

FULL

BA

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel


1 WATER JEAA T2 FOG3 FOAM4 DRY RR AGENT. ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAMTT

VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAITT N

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel




HAZMAT Awareness


In these situations, precautions such as the following should be taken:

consider removing the general public from F

the area; and

if possible, operate from a safe distance F

and from behind cover.

Column 3 – personal protection to be worn by fi refi ghters at an incident

The information appearing in column 3 details the level of protective clothing required for an incident:

FULL – F indicates that a splash suit, BA, chemical protective gloves and rubber boots are required.

BA F – indicates that BA and full structural PPC is required.

Some chemicals may require a gas-tight suit but the HAZCHEM code will not indicate this.

Column 4 – contain or dilute

Figure 51 – level of PPC required

P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAIN

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel



Figure 52 – whether to contain or dilute spill

P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAIN

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel



P VFULL

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel



P V

DILUTE

CONTAITT N

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel


1 WATER JEAA T2 FOG3 FOAM4 DRYRR AGENT. ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAMTT


HAZMAT Awareness


The letters P, R, S or T indicate dilution while the letters W, X, Y or Z indicate containment. These letters are designed to reduce the hazard or prevent the incident from escalating.

Dilute F – the letters P, R, S or T mean that the run off and decontamination may be diluted with large quantities of water. However, in most instances, it is unacceptable for envir-onmental reasons to allow substances to be diluted or washed away. If possible, these substances should be con tained and prevented from entering drains and waterways. Unnecessary dilution should be avoided, as it increases the volume of hazardous waste that needs to be managed. (A notable exception is concentrated hydro-chloric acid, for which modest dilution can stop the release of fumes.)

Contain F – the letters W, X, Y or Z mean that run off and decontamination must be prevented from entering drains or watercourses. They also allow the recovery of the substance where such a procedure is safe and practicable.

Evacuation

In some instances the letter E will also appear at the end of the code.

The letter E is appended to the HAZCHEM code when a public safety hazard exists. People should be warned to stay indoors with doors and windows closed. The presence of the letter E in the HAZCHEM code does not mean that an evacuation is automatic but it may be considered.

Any decision to take action to protect the public needs to take into consideration the circumstances involved such as:

the type and quantity of chemicals F

involved;

wind direction and weather; F

size of area affected; F

the environment; and F

whether it would be safer to leave F

residents where they are.

At a hazardous materials incident, the decision to evacuate, and what area will be evacuated, is made by the Incident Controller. Alternatively, protect in place should be considered.

Figure 53 – consider need to evacuate public

P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAIN

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ


Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel



P VFULL

DILUTE

CONTAITT N

BA

FULL

BA

V

V

V

RSTWXYZ

Substance

UN NO.

HAZCHEM

Conatcts

ClassLabel


1 WATER JEAA T2 FOG3 FOAM4 DRYRR AGENT. ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAMTT


HAZMAT Awareness


An example: Phosphine Ether has the HAZCHEM code 2PE.

2 Indicates that water in the form of a fi ne water spray or fog is to be applied but cannot be used in the form of a coarse spray or jet.

P Indicates that:

a violent reaction or explosion may •occur;

a splash suit, BA, and chemical •protective gloves and rubber boots are required. In some situations Structural PPC may also be required; and

it can be diluted. •

E Indicates a public safety hazard and so there is a need to consider evac uation of an area.

Note: Additional information is usually provided adjacent to, or on the reverse of, the HAZCHEM code to assist with interpreting the HAZCHEM code.

Transport Documentation

In a transport incident, materials can be identifi ed by accessing the shipping documents (only if safe to do so).

It is a regulatory requirement that transport documents be located in a special folder in a pocket on the inside of the driver’s front door. Where a pocket cannot be fi tted to the door, a sticker must be affi xed identifying where in the cabin the papers are located.

Shipping documents are prepared by the consigner, and typically provide the names and quantities of the chemicals carried by the vehicle, and the type of packaging.

Depending on the circumstances, road vehicles transporting dangerous goods may carry some or all of the following documents in the cabin:

Commercial manifests F – listing all the goods being transported, including dangerous goods, other chemical products (those which are not dangerous goods), and other (non-chemical) prod ucts. Information included for dangerous goods:

name and address of the prime •contractors and consignors;

name of the substance; •

UN class; •

UN number; •

packing group designation; •

Figure 54 – HAZCHEM Code for Phosphine Ether

2PEhazchem

Figure 55 – example of door sticker showing location of emergency procedure guide


HAZMAT Awareness


Figure 57 – red weatherproof container housing the EIB

Figure 56 – Emergency Information Book (EIB); front cover and main sections

type of packaging; •

total quantity by weight, volume and/or •packaging; and

hazard Class/Division label. •

Dangerous goods manifests F – listing the dangerous goods being transported, with additional information.

Emergency Procedure Guides F or SAA/SNZ HB 76 Dangerous Goods – Initial Emer gency Response Guide – as required by the ADG Code.

Note: For transport by rail, similar documentation for each wagon which is carrying dangerous goods should be carried in a separate, specially marked envelope. All such envelopes for a train should be carried in the locomotive cab.

Storage Manifest (Emergency Information Book)Under the Dangerous Goods Regulations, site occupiers who store and handle dangerous goods beyond manifest quantity are required to prepare and maintain an Emergency Information Book (EIB), as shown in Figure 58, above right.

CFA’s Dangerous Goods Department ensures that the Emergency Information Book’s information and formatting is fi refi ghter friendly and relevant to responding fi re crews.

The EIB is to be placed at the main entrance(s) to the site or building, in a position that can be easily seen by responding fi re crews, and located in a red weatherproof container.


HAZMAT Awareness


ADR RID

This code system is used in the European Union, and could appear as a placard on shipping containers, tanks and other types of vessels containing chemicals coming into the port areas from Europe.

The ADR RID code consists of an orange placard containing two numbers.

Top section – the top number can consist F

of one, two or sometimes three digits. The most important of these digits is the fi rst, which is the “dangerous goods class” of the material.

Bottom section – the lower number is the F

UN Number for the material.

An example of an ADR RID code for Benzene is shown below.

The fi rst “3” in the top number indicates the material is a fl ammable liquid (Dangerous Goods Class 3), and the lower number is the UN number for Benzene.

The EIB should contain the following information:

name and address of the premises; F

emergency contacts; F

information about; F

the classes of dangerous goods on site; •

dangerous goods in bulk – dangerous •goods in packages;

dangerous goods in manufacture; and •

dangerous goods in transit; and •

a plan of the premises, showing the location F

of dangerous goods, essential services and installed fi refi ghting equipment.

If set up and properly maintained by the site occupier, the information contained in the EIB becomes a valuable resource for the fi refi ghter, and should be accessed by fi rst on-scene crews as soon as practicable.

At all sites where there is an Emergency Information Book, there is also an Emergency Plan that has been scrutinised by CFA’s Dangerous Goods Department. If the site is occupied at the time of the incident, responding crews should be confi dent that they can obtain good advice on the dangerous goods present, and any other resources.

Note: If at any time fi re crews fi nd the EIB inaccurate or illegible, or it is evident that the site Emergency Plan is ineffective, they should contact their Regional Duty Offi cer, Regional CFA Headquarters or the Dangerous Goods Department at CFA Headquarters to have the situation rectifi ed.

Figure 58 – ADR RID code for Benzene

33

1114


HAZMAT Awareness


National Fire Protection Association Code (USA)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code is represented by a diamond-shaped placard, and is found on shipping containers, tanks and other types of vessels containing chemicals that have come from the USA.

The code and its meanings are as follows.Each of the coloured sections contain a number; they are interpreted as follows.

Health (blue section):

4 lethal;

3 extremely hazardous;

2 hazardous to health;

1 slightly hazardous; and

0 no unusual hazard.

Flammability (red section):

4 very fl ammable gases or liquids;

3 can ignite at normal temperatures;

2 moderate heat required for ignition;

1 preheating required for ignition; and

0 will not burn.

W Water reactive properties pictogram.

OXY Oxidising properties pictogram.

Radioactive properties pictogram.

Figure 60 – NFPA code; special circumstances

4

4 4

W

Figure 59 – NFPA code symbol

Reactivity (yellow section):

4 readily capable of detonation at normal temperature and pressure;

3 capable of detonation; sensitive to noise or shock;

2 normally unstable;

1 unstable at high temperatures; and

0 stable.

Special circumstances (white section):

The white section will usually be blank, except in special circumstances where a material may be water reactive, possess combustion support or other special properties.

In such cases an informative pictogram will be present as illustrated below.

Notes


HAZMAT Awareness


HAZMAT Awareness

Chapter 4 Summary

When responding to a hazardous materials F

incident, you may be able to use the following to assist you in identifi cation of the hazardous materials:

emergency information panels; •

proper shipping names; •

product names, trade names, common •names;

chemical names; •

dangerous goods class or division •labels;

UN numbers; •

placarding; •

transport documents; and •

storage manifests. •

Vehicles carrying bulk quantities of dangerous F

goods must be marked with an EIP.

Dangerous goods class labels are F

colour-coded labels that identify the type of dangerous goods being stored and transported.

The HAZCHEM code was designed as a F

generic “fi rst three minutes action code” for early intervention.

The HAZCHEM code does not apply to F

radioactive substances, explosives or infectious substances.

A HAZCHEM sign (outer warning placard) F

or composite warning placard at an entrance to a premises indicates that dangerous goods are located on the premises.

Class labels (diamonds ) are arranged into F

nine broad classifi cations and are used to identify types of dangerous goods being stored, handled or transported. In some cases these classes are broken down into divisions.

Containers often have distinctive F

markings or colours to indicate the hazard presented.

Containers in excess of 450 litres volume F

are required to display a bulk dangerous goods placard on the container.

The HAZMAT Action Guide (HAG) system F

provides fi refi ghters with guidance when selecting:

initial personal protection; •

other appropriate PPE; •

hazards of the substance or compound; •

appropriate action required; •

fi refi ghting medium required; •

appropriate decontamination guidelines; •and

effect with water. •


HAZMAT Awareness


When transporting dangerous goods F

or hazardous materials is a regulatory requirement that transport documents be located in a special folder in a pocket on the inside of the driver’s front door. In the event of an incident these document can provide valuable information to assist fi refi ghters.

ADR RID codes could appear as a placard F

on shipping containers, tanks and other types of vessels containing chemicals coming from Europe.

NFPA Codes (a diamond shaped placard), F

could appear on shipping containers, tanks and other types of vessels containing chemicals coming from the USA.


HAZMAT Awareness

Chapter 4Self Assessment

True or False (✔ box)

1 Proper shipping names, dangerous goods class labels and UN numbers can be used to assist in identifying hazardous materials.

True False

2 Vehicles carrying hazardous materials in bulk are not required, by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, to placard the vehicle.

True False

3 Dangerous goods class labels give detailed information about the hazardous materials being transported.

True False

4 Some dangerous goods classifi cations have their own divisions.

True False

5 The UN number is a four digit number developed by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

True False

6 The HAZCHEM code will indicate whether a splash suit or gas-tight suit is required.

True False

7 An outer warning placard will show the word HAZCHEM in red on a silver background.

True False


HAZMAT Awareness


Short Answer

1 Referring to the emergency information panel below, match the appropriate number to the correct description:

number F _______________ is the emergency telephone number;

number F _______________ is the UN number;

number F _______________ is the dangerous goods class label;

number F _______________ is the proper shipping name or technical name;

number F _______________ is the specialist advice; and

number F _______________ is the HAZCHEM code.

2 What does the presence of a HAZCHEM sign (outer warning placard) or composite warning placard at the entrance to a premises indicate?

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2YE

1075

IN EMERGENCY DIAL

000, POLICE ORFIRE BRIGADE

L.P. Gas

(5)

(6)

(2)

(1)

(3)

(4)

FISKVILLECHEMICALS

LTD(03) 5366 7200

SPECIALIST ADVICE


HAZMAT Awareness


3 Referring to the HAZCHEM code for fi re or spillage, what action would you take for the following:

If you require any assistance with this material see your Brigade Training Offi cer or Training Manager.

2SE Action to take

Extinguishing medium:

Violently reactive:

Protective equipment:

Dilute/contain:

Other:

4ZE Action to take

Extinguishing medium:

Violently reactive:

Protective equipment:

Dilute/contain:

Other:

Notes


HAZMAT Awareness

Hazchem Code

Documents

safety firsthazmat

alcohol resistant

public safety

outer warning

composite

hazardous

preferred

drivers front