Bangladesh University of Professionals

Online Task:
Lesson 10: Identification and Control of Materials
Considered Hazardous
Course name: Fire Science and Fire Dynamics
Course Code: DHSM-3101

Submitted to
Lecturer Musarrat Zaman
Department of Disaster and Human Security Management
Faculty of Arts and Social Science
Bangladesh University of Professionals

Submitted by

Tasnim Tabassum Lamya

ID: D18131019
Session: 2017-2018
Department of Disaster and Human Security Management
Bangladesh University of Professionals

S u b m i tt e d o n : 28th March, 2020

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 Lesson 10: Identification and Control of Materials
Considered Hazardous

1) What is your understanding on Hazardous Material?

Formerly, chemical manufacturers categorized their products with the labels;

“Caution,” “Danger,” and “Handle with Care.” This terms were unclear and did not
specify hazards related with particular chemicals. The U.S. Department of
Transportation labeling system (49 CFR 172) contains requirements for the shipping,
marking, labeling, and placarding of 1400 hazardous materials. The purposes of this
standard are to (a) provide an immediate warning of potential danger; (b) inform
emergency responders of the nature of the hazard; (c) state emergency spill or release
control procedures; and (d) minimize potential injuries from chemical exposure. The
standard contains a hazardous materials table listing substances by name, prescribing
requirements for shipping papers, package marking, labeling, and transport vehicle
placarding.

The following table shows a comparison listing of United Nations and DOT
classifications for hazardous materials. The classes of hazardous materials that must
be labeled and placarded are as follows: explosives, flammable and combustible
materials, oxidizers, corrosives, poisons, compressed gases, etiologic, and radioactive
materials.

TABLE: United Nations and Department of Transportation Classification

of Hazardous Materials.

United Nations Class DOT Classification

1 Explosives: Class A, B, and C
2 Nonflammable and flammable gases
3 Flammable liquids
4 Flammable solids, spontaneously combustible substances,
and water reactive substances
5 Oxidizing materials and organic peroxides
6 Poisons: Class A, B, and C

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 7 Radioactive I, II, and III
8 Corrosives
9 Miscellaneous materials which can present a hazard during
transport, but are not covered by other classes

2) What are the procedures of Hazard Analysis Management?

This methodology is a framework security exertion in the distinguishing proof and

assessment of all fire misfortune exposures. Combustible materials are combustible
fluids, solids, or gases. The Management’s job is to foresee, distinguish, choose,
execute, and assess the risks dependent on sound standards and to have the option to
comprehend the idea of the dangers. According to Willie Hammer (1989), “a hazard
analysis is used to identify any dangers that might be present in a proposed operation,
the types and degrees of accidents that might result from the hazards, and the
measures that can be taken to avoid or minimize accidents or their consequences.”
This proactive approach anticipates unsafe actions and conditions.

Hazard analysis/reduction should follow the 10 elements of a management program.

1. Identification of Hazards

2. Hazard Inventory

3. Descriptive Information

4. Fire Plan

5. Training Program

6. Inspection Program

7. Scheduled Fire Drills (monthly, annually, etc.)

8. Risk Evaluation

9. Responsibility/Accountability of Management

And when approaching a reported or suspected dangerous goods incident involving a

placarded vehicle, the following precautionary measures should be considered the
following recommendations at all levels of Management;

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  Approach the incident cautiously from upwind to a point from which you can
safely identify and/or read the placard or orange panel information. If the wind
direction allows, consider approaching the incident from uphill.
Use binoculars, if available.
 Match the vehicle placard(s) with one of the placards displayed on the
following pages.
 Consult the numbered guide associated with the sample placard. Use that
information for now. For example, a flammable (Class 3) placard leads to
Guide 127. A corrosive (Class 8) placard leads to Guide 153. If multiple
placards point to more than one guide, initially use the most conservative
guide (i.e., the guide requiring the greatest degree of protective actions).
 Remember that the guides associated with the placards provide the more
significant risk and/or hazard information.
 When specific information, such as ID number or shipping name, becomes
available, the more specific guide recommended for that material must
be consulted. 6. If Guide 111 is being used because only the danger/dangerous
placard is displayed or the nature of the spilled, leaking, or burning material is
not known, as soon as possible, get more specific information concerning the
material(s) involved.

3) How to identify different types of hazard according to NFPA 704

with different color code?

NFPA 704 provides an easy method of recognizing hazards. The NFPA 704 Diamond
indicates the health, flammability, and reactivity (i.e., stability) hazards of chemicals
by placing numbers in the three upper squares of the diamond.

Health Hazards Are Indicated in the Left Square, Color-Coded Blue

4. Materials which on very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury.

3. Materials which on short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury.

2. Materials which on intense or continued, but not chronic, exposure could cause
temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury.

1. Materials which on exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury.

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0. Materials which on exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond
that of ordinary combustible material.

Flammability Hazards Are Indicated in the Top Square, Color-Coded Red

4. Materials which will vaporize rapidly or completely at atmospheric pressure and

normal ambient temperature, or which are dispersed readily and which will burn
readily.

3. Liquids and solids which can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature
conditions.

2. Materials which must be heated moderately or exposed to relatively high ambient

temperatures before ignition can occur.

1. Materials which must be preheated before ignition can occur.

0. Materials that will not burn.

Reactivity (Stability) Hazards Are indicated in the right Square, Color-Coded

Yellow

4. Materials which in themselves are readily capable of detonations or of explosive

decomposition or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.

3. Materials which in themselves are capable of detonation or explosive

decomposition or reaction, but require a strong initiating source, or which must be
heated under confinement before initiation, or which react explosively with water.

2. Materials which readily undergo violent chemical change at elevated temperatures,

or which react violently with water, or which may form explosive mixtures with
water.

1. Materials which in themselves are normally stable, but which can become unstable
at elevated temperatures and pressures.

0. Materials which in themselves are normally stable, even under fire exposure
conditions, and which are not reactive with water.

Special Information Is Indicated in the Bottom Square, Color-Coded White

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1. The letter W with a bar through it indicates a material may have a hazardous
reaction with water. This does not mean “use no water,” but rather “avoid the use of
water.” Note that some forms of water (e.g., fog or fine spray) may be used. Because
water may cause a hazard, it is advised that water be used very cautiously until fire
fighters have proper information.

2. The radioactive “pinwheel” indicates radioactive materials.

3. The letters “OX” indicate an oxidizer.