MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

R134A
(Please ensure that this MSDS is received by the appropriate person)

Date: July 2011 Version2

Ref: MS051 Ingestion Provided the patient is conscious, wash out the
1 PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION mouth with water, and give 200-300 ml to drink.
Obtain immediate medical attention.
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Product Name R134a 5 FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Chemical Formula CH2-F-CF3
Trade Name R134a Extinguishing As R134a is non-flammable, it will not
Colour Coding Cornflower Blue (F.29) body with a media contribute to the fire, but could help with the
Silver (Plascon 720-022) shoulder and extinguishing by reducing the oxygen content of
guard. Bulk container Grey. the air by dilution to below the level to support
Valve (cylinders) Neriki U6 – 5/8 inch BSP right hand combustion.
male. Specific hazards. R134a does not support life. It can act as a simple
Company Identification African Oxygen Limited asphyxiant by diluting the concentration of
23 Webber Street oxygen in the air below the levels to support life.
Johannesburg, 2001 Emergency actions If possible, shut off the source of excess
Tel. No: (011) 490-0400 R134a. Evacuate area. All cylinders should be
Fax No: (011) 490-0506 removed from the vicinity of the fire. Cylinders
Emergency numbers 086 011 1185 0r (011) 873 4382 that cannot be removed should be cooled with
(24 hours) water from a safe distance. Cylinders which have
2 COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS been exposed to excessive heat should be clearly
Chemical Names: 1,1,1,2 - Tetrafluoroethane identified and returned to the supplier.
Chemical Family Halocarbons CONTACT THE NEAREST AFROX BRANCH.
Cas No. 811-97-2 Protective Self-contained breathing apparatus. Safety gloves
UN No. 3159 Clothing and shoes, or boots, should be worn when handling
ERG No 126 cylinders.
Hazchem Warning 2C non-flammable gas Environmental R134a is heavier than air and could accumulate
3 HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION Precautions in low-lying areas. Care should be taken when
entering a potentially oxygen-deficient environment.
Main Hazards All cylinders are portable gas containers, and must If possible, ventilate the affected area.
be regarded as pressure vessels at all times. R134a
does not support life. It can act as a simple 6 ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
asphyxiant by diluting the concentration of oxygen
in air to below the levels necessary to support life.
Personal Precautions. Do not enter any areas where R134a
has been spilled unless tests have shown that it
Adverse Health effects. The inhalation of high concentrations of R134a is safe to do so.
vapour may cause temporary central nervous Environmental R134a does not pose a hazard to the
system depression, with narcosis, lethargy and
anaesthetic effects. Continued breathing of high Precautions environment.
concentrations of R134a vapours may produce Small spills Shut off source of the R134a. Ventilate the
cardiac irregularities, unconsciousness and death. area.
Chemical hazards R134a vapours decompose when Large spills Evacuate the area. Shut off the source of the
exposed to high temperatures with the spill if this can be done without risk. Restrict
formation of toxic and irritating compounds such access to the area until completion of the clean-
as hydrofluoric acid, carbon monoxide and up procedure. Ventilate the area using forced-
carbonyl fluoride. draught if necessary.
Biological hazards Contact with the liquid phase could cause
freeze burns. 7 HANDLING AND STORAGE
Vapour inhalation Inhalation of small amounts of R134a vapour does Do not allow cylinders to slide or come into contact with sharp edges.
not damage the respiratory organs. R134a cylinders should be stacked vertically at all times, and should be
(For additional information see “Adverse ` firmly secured in order to prevent them from being knocked over. Use a
Health Effects” above). “first in - first out” inventory system to prevent full cylinders from being
stored for excessive periods of time. Keep out of reach of children.
4 FIRST AID MEASURES
Prompt medical attention is mandatory in all cases of overexposure to 8 EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
vapourised R134a. Rescue personnel should be equipped with self- Occupational As R134a is a simple asphyxiant, avoid
contained breathing apparatus. Conscious persons should be assisted to exposure hazards any areas where spillage has taken place
an uncontaminated area and inhale fresh air. Quick removal from the Only enter once testing has proved the
contaminated area is most important. Unconscious persons should be atmosphere to be safe, and remember that the
removed to an uncontaminated area and given mouth-to-mouth gas is heavier than air.
resuscitation and supplemental oxygen. The use of adrenaline or similar Engineering Engineering control measures are preferred to
drugs should be avoided. Control measures reduce oxygen depleted atmospheres. General
Eye contact (Vapour) No known effect. methods includes forced-draught ventilation,
(Liquid) Immediately flush with large separate from other exhaust ventilation systems.
quantities of tepid water, or with Ensure that sufficient fresh air enters at, or near,
sterile saline solution. Seek medical floor level.
attention. Personal protection Self-contained breathing apparatus should
Skin contact (Vapour) No known effect. always be worn when entering area where
(Liquid) In case of frostbite from contact with oxygen depletion may have occurred. Safety
liquid R134a, place the frost-bitten part in warm goggles, gloves and shoes or boots should be
water, about 40-42°C. If warm water is not worn when handling cylinders.
available, or is impractical to use, wrap the Skin No known effect
affected part gently in blankets. Encourage the
patient to exercise the affected part whilst it is
being warmed. Do not remove clothing while
frosted.
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 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
R134A
(Please ensure that this MSDS is received by the appropriate person)

_______________________________________________________
9 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES 14 TRANSPORT INFORMATION
PHYSICAL DATA ROAD TRANSPORATATION
Chemical Symbol CH2F-CF3 UN No. 3159
Molecular Weight 102,03
Boiling point @ 101,325 kPa -26,180C ERG No 126
Density (saturated vapour) at boiling point 5,26 kg / m³ Hazchem warning 2 C Non-flammable gas
Auto-ignition temperature 770°C
SEA TRANSPORTATOION
Ozone depletion potential 0
Halocarbon global warning potential 0,28 IMDG 3159
Colour Colourless Class 2.2
Taste Not applicable
Odour Slightly ethereal Label Non-flammable gas
AIR TRANSPORTATION
10 STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Conditions to avoid The dilution of oxygen concentration in the ICAO/IATA Code 3159
atmosphere to levels which cannot support life. Class 2.2
Never use cylinders as rollers or supports, or for
any other purpose than the storing of R134a. Packaging instructions
Never expose the cylinders to excessive heat, as - Cargo 200
this may cause sufficient build-up of pressure
to rupture the cylinders. - Passenger 200
Incompatible Since the performance of plastic materials is Maximum quantity allowed
materials affected by polymer variations, compounding - Cargo 150 kg
agents, fillers, and moulding processes, verify
compatibility using actual fabricated parts - Passenger 75 kg
under end-use conditions is advised. The 15 REGULATORY INFORMATION
effects on specific elastomers depend on the
nature of the polymer, the compounding EEC Hazard class Non flammable gas
formulation used and the curing of vulcanizing Risk phrases R20 Harmful by inhalation
conditions. Actual samples should be tested R34 Liquid phase could cause burns.
under end-use conditions before specifying R44 Risk of explosion if heated under
elastomers for critical components. confinement.
Hazardous R134a vapours will decompose when Safety phrases S2 Keep out of reach of children
Decomposition exposed to high temperatures from flames or S9 Keep container in a well-ventilated place
Produce electric resistance heaters. Decomposition may S15 Keep away from heat
produce toxic and irritating compounds, such S21 When using do not smoke
as hydrogen fluoride. S36 Wear suitable protective clothing
S41 In case of fire/explosion do not breathe
11 TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION fumes
Acute Toxicity (TWA 8+12 hr) 1000 ppm S51 Use only in well ventilated areas
Skin & eye contact No known effect S56 Do not discharge into the environment.
Chronic Toxicity No known effect Dispose to an authorised waste collection point.
Carcinogenicity No known effect National legislation None
Mutagenicity No known effect Refer to SABS 0265 for explanation of the above.
Reproductive Hazards No known effect 16 OTHER INFORMATION
(For further information see Section 3. Adverse health effects)
Bibliography
12 ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Showa Denko K.K. Gaseous Products Division. Technical
As R134a has an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of 0, as well as a information on R134a. March 1992
very low satiability in water, it does not pose a hazard to the ecology.
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations 1996
13 DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS _______________________________________________________
Disposal Methods Disposal refers to the destruction R134a, 17 EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY
and may be necessary when R134a has Information contained in this publication is accurate at the date of
become badly contaminated with other publication. The company does not accept liability arising from the
products, and no longer meets the accepted use of this information, or the use, application, adaptation or process
specification. All badly contaminated of any products described herein.
products should be sent to qualified waste
disposal firms for further treatment
A member of The AFROX Group
The Stripe Symbol and the word AFROX are AFROX Group Trademarks.
For product and safety enquiries please phone
0860020202 (24 hr)

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