Flammable chemicals spills

Butadiene is primarily shipped in pressurized containers via railroads or tankers. U.S. shipments of butadiene, which is classified as a flammable compressed gas, are regulated by the Department of Transportation (254). Most other countries have adopted their own regulations (30). Other information on the handling of butadiene is also available (255). As a result of the extensive emphasis on proper and timely responses to chemical spills, a comprehensive handbook from the National Fire Protection Association is available (256). 

Dry chemical agents currently used are a mixture of powders, primarily sodium bicarbonate (ordinary), potassium bicarbonate (Purple K), monoammmonium phosphate (multipurpose). When applied to a fire they cause extinguishment by smothering the fire process. They will not provide securement of a flammable liquid spill or pool fire and it can re-flash after it is initially suppressed if an ignition source is present (i.e., a hot surface). Dry chemical is still very effective for extinguishment of three dimensional flammable liquid or gas fires. It is nonconductive and therefore can be used on live electrical equipment. 

Table 2 lists some of the physical, toxicity, flammability, and reactivity properties of common chemicals (10,13,42,45—51). Also given are some of the quantities specified for reporting spills and for compliance with legislated requirements. The OSHA regulations require that material safety data sheets (MSDS) be developed for all process materials, so that the hazard data can be communicated to employees (52). Characteristics of toxicity, flammability, chemical instability, reactivity and reaction energy, operating conditions, and corrosive properties of construction materials must all be considered in analyzing hazard potentials of chemicals and chemical operations. 

The hood offers a number of advantages for work with toxic and flammable substances. Not only does it draw off the toxic and flammable fumes, it also affords an excellent physical barrier on all four sides of a reacting system when the sash is pulled down. And should a chemical spill occur, it is nicely contained within the hood. 

Directed toward analyzing potential causes and consequences of tires, explosions, releases of toxic or flammable chemicals, and major spills of hazardous chemicals. ... 

Right-to-Know Working Around Hazardous Substances From worker perspective, labeling and handling of hazardous chemicals, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives, flammables, water-sensitive chemicals, spill response, and protective and emergency equipment. BNA Communications Inc. 

Absorbents Pillows Particles Sheets Booms Rolls Pads Chemical suits flash fire protective clothing for large flammable liquid spills... 

Personnel who responded to a chemical spill of methyl acrylate were never briefed by facility personnel. As a result, they did not assume command of the event, even though facility procedures require the command to be transferred to Emergency Management and Response (EM R) if the facility does not have adequate resources to handle an event. The fact that the facility called for the hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team and used the services of occupational medicine was a sign that it did not have the necessary personnel to deal with the event, so EM R should have assumed the role of incident commander. Furthermore, no one was concerned about the flammability of the chemical. No one called the lire department to respond as a precautionary measure. If the methyl... 

Spills of chemicals in laboratories come in various sizes, and present various levels of hazard. Knocking over a 100-mL graduated cylinder with 5 mL of 0.1 M NaCl in it is a fairly trivial event. Dropping a large glass container that has 4 L of concentrated nitric acid or 4 L of (flammable) acetone is a serious event. What to do in the event of some chemical spill depends on the nature of the spill. 

Perhaps surprisingly, flammable liquids themselves do not burn but rather it is the vapor above the liquid that bums as the molecules move from the liquid to the gas phase. Flammable chemicals have relatively low molecular weights and high vapor pressures. If spilled on a benchtop or the floor, these flammable chemicals quickly vaporize and air currents can spread them into a wide area, where an ignition source could start a Are. 

P(spill or arson) = (108/250) + (12/250) - (0) =. 48 or 48% chance of having a fire due to an accidental spill of a flammable chemical or arson as the primary cause. The consultant can then compare these fire probabilities to what is expected from past records to determine if there are significant differences. Such significant differences could indicate potential areas of concern. 

FIGURE S.3.5.2 Outlet in Chemical Hood. A strip outlet in a chemical hood represents a fire hazard since the outlets and switch are not spark-proof and flammable chemicals are often used in hoods. The dangling cords might also present a trip hazard. A liquid spill could also present a shock hazard. (Reproduced with permission of the Division of Chemical Safety and Health of the American Chemical Society.)... 

If a fire occurs in a building, the occupants should be evacuated promptly and safely. Other emergencies requiring prompt evacuation are chemical spills and leaking compressed gas cyhnders. Obstruction to passageways can create serious hazards in case of fire, explosion, loss of light, or other emergency situations. Corridors are specifically constructed to retard the spread of fire and to provide a protective envelope to allow people to evacuate therefore, flammable materials should not be stored in corridors. 

The principal focus of this book is the mitigation of accidental releases of toxic or flammable materials throu release countermeasures, in particular, postrelease systems. Postrelease systems are designed for control of a hazardous material once it has been released into the environment. Control measures can include passive systems, such as dikes or berms around storage tanks, as well as active methods, such as water-spray or deluge systems installation around a process unit, or q>plication of foam on a chemical spill. However, fire fighting, blast protection and environmental control of response methodolo es are not covered in this guideline. 

The first step for spills of flammable chemicals is to extinguish all open flames and to turn off or disconnect all sources of ignition, such as ovens, heaters, motors, etc. Also, all personnel in the area must be notified as quickly as possible. If fume hoods are located in the room and are operating, leave them on. If they are not, be careful. Operation of the switch may create a spark. Use spill-control pillows for volatile substances. Certain compounds are very hazardous and require special procedures, equipment, knowledge, or all of these. Such compounds include the following ... 

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