Chapter 4: Hazardous Materials Identication

The HAZCHEM Code (Emergency Action Code)

The HAZCHEM code was designed as a generic rst three minutes action code for early intervention. The HAZCHEM code is a two or three character code that gives reghters and other emergency response personnel the information they need for initial response in a hazardous 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 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 reghters and is carried on all 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.

HAZCHEM
Emergency Action Code
FOR FIRE OR SPILLAGE

Substance UN NO. HAZCHEM Conatcts Class Label

Additional Information
DRY AGENT Water must not be allowed to come into contact with the substance at risk. ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM 2 or 3 Alcohol resistant foam is the preferred medium. If not available: - If 2 use Fine Spray or Water Fog - If 3 use Normal Foam V Substance can be violently or even explosively reactive, including combustion. FULL Full body protective clothing with BA.

1 2 3 4

WATER JET FOG FOAM DRY AGENT ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM

P R S T W X Y Z E

V V V V

FULL DILUTE BA FULL CONTAIN BA

DILUTE May be washed to drain with large quantities of water. CONTAIN Prevent, by any means available, spillage from entering drains or water courses. E People 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.

PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD

Figure 46 Hazchem Pocket Card (Emergency Action Code)

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Parts of the HAZCHEM code

HAZCHEM
Emergency Action Code
FOR FIRE OR SPILLAGE
Substance UN NO. HAZCHEM Conatcts Class Label

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.

1 2 3 4

WATER JET FOG FOAM DRY AGENT ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM

Example 1:

. P R S T W X Y Z E V V V V

FULL DILUTE BA FULL CONTAIN CONTAIN T BA

The here indicates alcohol resistant foam is the preferred firefighting medium.

. 2YE
If alcohol resistant foam is unavailable, use fine water or fog as next most effective medium.

Example 2:

PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD

The here indicates alcohol resistant foam is the preferred firefighting medium.

. 3YE
If alcohol resistant foam is unavailable, use normal foam as next most effective medium.

Figure 47 types of extinguishing media here

Figure 48 use of bullet symbol in HAZCHEM code

The reghting extinguishing media is determined by reference to the rst characters of the emergency action code (EAC) as follows: 1 Denotes course water jet. 2 Denotes fog or spray. 3 Denotes normal foam i.e. foam, that is not alcohol resistant. 4 Denotes dry agent water MUST NOT 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.

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.

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Column 1
Provides a trigger to identify the appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment (PPC/PPE) and strategy required for the incident.

HAZCHEM
Emergency Action Code
FOR FIRE OR SPILLAGE

Substance UN NO. HAZCHEM Conatcts Class Label

1 2

WATER JET A JET FOG FOAM DRY AGENT R ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM T

HAZCHEM
Emergency Action Code
FOR FIRE OR SPILLAGE

Substance UN NO. HAZCHEM Conatcts Class Label

3 4

. P R S T W X Y Z V V V V

FULL DILUTE BA FULL CONTAIN CONTAIN T BA

1 2 3 4

WATER JET A JET FOG FOAM DRY AGENT R ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM T

. P R S T W X Y Z E V V V V

FULL DILUTE BA FULL CONTAIN CONTAIN T BA

PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD

Figure 50 violent reaction likely indicator

This may happen if the substance:

F is intrinsically unstable;

PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD

F has a ash point below 61C; F has the ability to cause an explosion, or

Figure 49 trigger for personal protection

Column 2 violent reaction

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

greatly contribute to the intensity of a re, when in contact with organic or other combustible material, (powerful oxidizers belong to this category);
F will react violently with water. For example,

the application of water to fuming sulphuric acid causes a violent reaction and produces a large amount of heat;
F will react with water to give off ammable

gas; and
F may cause a dust explosion.

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

F consider removing the general public from

The information appearing in column 3 details the level of protective clothing required for an incident:
F FULL indicates that a splash suit, BA,

the area; and

F if possible, operate from a safe distance

and from behind cover.

chemical protective gloves and rubber boots are required.

F BA indicates that BA and full structural

Column 3 personal protection to be worn by reghters at an incident

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

HAZCHEM
Emergency Action Code
FOR FIRE OR SPILLAGE

Substance UN NO. HAZCHEM Conatcts Class Label

Column 4 contain or dilute

1 2 3 4

WATER JET A JET FOG FOAM DRY AGENT R ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM T

HAZCHEM
Emergency Action Code
FOR FIRE OR SPILLAGE

Substance UN NO. HAZCHEM Conatcts Class Label

. P R S T W X Y Z E V V V V

1 2

WATER JET A JET FOG FOAM DRY AGENT R ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM T

FULL DILUTE BA FULL CONTAIN CONTAIN T BA

3 4

. P R S T W X Y Z E V V V V

FULL DILUTE BA FULL CONTAIN BA

PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD

Figure 51 level of PPC required

PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD

Figure 52 whether to contain or dilute spill

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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.
F Dilute the letters P, R, S or T mean that the

HAZCHEM
Emergency Action Code
FOR FIRE OR SPILLAGE

Substance UN NO. HAZCHEM Conatcts Class Label

1 2 3 4

WATER JET A JET FOG FOAM DRY AGENT R ALCOHOL RESISTANT FOAM T

run off and decontamination may be diluted with large quantities of water. However, in most instances, it is unacceptable for environmental reasons to allow substances to be diluted or washed away. If possible, these substances should be contained 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 hydrochloric acid, for which modest dilution can stop the release of fumes.)
F Contain the letters W, X, Y or Z mean

. P R S T W X Y Z E V V V V

FULL DILUTE BA FULL CONTAIN T CONTAIN BA

PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD

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.

Figure 53 consider need to evacuate public

Any decision to take action to protect the public needs to take into consideration the circumstances involved such as:
F the type and quantity of chemicals

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.

involved;
F wind direction and weather; F size of area affected; F the environment; and F whether it would be safer to leave

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.

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

hazchem

2PE
Figure 54 HAZCHEM Code for Phosphine Ether

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

2 Indicates that water in the form of a 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 evacuation 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.
Figure 55 example of door sticker showing location of emergency procedure guide

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:
F Commercial manifests listing all the

goods being transported, including dangerous goods, other chemical products (those which are not dangerous goods), and other (non-chemical) products. 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;

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

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type of packaging; total quantity by weight, volume and/or packaging; and hazard Class/Division label.
F Dangerous goods manifests listing the

dangerous goods being transported, with additional information.

F Emergency Procedure Guides or SAA/

SNZ HB 76 Dangerous Goods Initial Emergency 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.

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

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. CFAs Dangerous Goods Department ensures that the Emergency Information Books information and formatting is reghter friendly and relevant to responding 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 re crews, and located in a red weatherproof container.

Figure 57 red weatherproof container housing the EIB

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The EIB should contain the following information:

F name and address of the premises; F emergency contacts; F information about;

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.
F Top section the top number can consist

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
F a plan of the premises, showing the location

of dangerous goods, essential services and installed reghting equipment. If set up and properly maintained by the site occupier, the information contained in the EIB becomes a valuable resource for the reghter, and should be accessed by 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 CFAs Dangerous Goods Department. If the site is occupied at the time of the incident, responding crews should be condent that they can obtain good advice on the dangerous goods present, and any other resources. Note: If at any time re crews nd the EIB inaccurate or illegible, or it is evident that the site Emergency Plan is ineffective, they should contact their Regional Duty Ofcer, Regional CFA Headquarters or the Dangerous Goods Department at CFA Headquarters to have the situation rectied.

of one, two or sometimes three digits. The most important of these digits is the rst, which is the dangerous goods class of the material.
F Bottom section the lower number is the

UN Number for the material. An example of an ADR RID code for Benzene is shown below. The rst 3 in the top number indicates the material is a ammable liquid (Dangerous Goods Class 3), and the lower number is the UN number for Benzene.

33 1114
Figure 58 ADR RID code for Benzene

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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.

Reactivity (yellow section): 4 3 2 1 0 readily capable of detonation at normal temperature and pressure; capable of detonation; sensitive to noise or shock; normally unstable; unstable at high temperatures; and stable.

4 4
W
Figure 59 NFPA code symbol

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.

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 3 2 1 0 lethal; extremely hazardous; hazardous to health; slightly hazardous; and no unusual hazard.

Water reactive properties pictogram.

OXY Oxidising properties pictogram.

Radioactive properties pictogram.
Figure 60 NFPA code; special circumstances

Flammability (red section): 4 3 2 1 0 very ammable gases or liquids; can ignite at normal temperatures; moderate heat required for ignition; preheating required for ignition; and will not burn.

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Notes

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Chapter 4 Summary
F When responding to a hazardous materials F A HAZCHEM sign (outer warning placard)

incident, you may be able to use the following to assist you in identication 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.
F Vehicles carrying bulk quantities of dangerous

or composite warning placard at an entrance to a premises indicates that dangerous goods are located on the premises.
F Class labels (diamonds ) are arranged into

nine broad classications and are used to identify types of dangerous goods being stored, handled or transported. In some cases these classes are broken down into divisions.
F Containers often have distinctive

markings or colours to indicate the hazard presented.

F Containers in excess of 450 litres volume

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

F The HAZMAT Action Guide (HAG) system

goods must be marked with an EIP .

F Dangerous goods class labels are

provides reghters with guidance when selecting: initial personal protection; other appropriate PPE; hazards of the substance or compound; appropriate action required; reghting medium required; appropriate decontamination guidelines; and effect with water.

colour-coded labels that identify the type of dangerous goods being stored and transported.
F The HAZCHEM code was designed as a

generic rst three minutes action code for early intervention.

F The HAZCHEM code does not apply to

radioactive substances, explosives or infectious substances.

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F When transporting dangerous goods

or hazardous materials is a regulatory requirement that transport documents be located in a special folder in a pocket on the inside of the drivers front door. In the event of an incident these document can provide valuable information to assist reghters.
F ADR RID codes could appear as a placard

on shipping containers, tanks and other types of vessels containing chemicals coming from Europe.
F NFPA Codes (a diamond shaped placard),

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

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Chapter 4 Self 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 2 Vehicles carrying hazardous materials in bulk are not required, by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, to placard the vehicle. True 3 False False

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

Some dangerous goods classications have their own divisions. True False

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

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

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

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

number number number number number number

_______________

is the emergency telephone number; is the UN number; is the dangerous goods class label; is the proper shipping name or technical name; is the specialist advice; and is the HAZCHEM code.

_______________

_______________

_______________

_______________

_______________

L.P. Gas
(1)

1075
(2)

2YE
(3)
SPECIALIST ADVICE

(5) IN EMERGENCY DIAL

(4)

000, POLICE OR FIRE BRIGADE

FISKVILLE CHEMICALS LTD

(03) 5366 7200

(6)

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

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Referring to the HAZCHEM code for re or spillage, what action would you take for the following: 2SE Extinguishing medium: Violently reactive: Protective equipment: Dilute/contain: Other: Action to take

4ZE Extinguishing medium: Violently reactive: Protective equipment: Dilute/contain: Other:

Action to take

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

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Notes

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