| GUIDE 118 |
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GASES - FLAMMABLE - CORROSIVE |
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POTENTIAL HAZARDS
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- EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE.
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| - May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. |
| - May form explosive mixtures with air. |
| - Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. |
| - Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. |
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- Some of these materials may react violently with water.
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| - Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release flammable gas through pressure relief devices. |
| - Containers may explode when heated. |
| - Ruptured cylinders may rocket. |
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| - May cause toxic effects if inhaled. |
| - Vapors are extremely irritating. |
| - Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. |
| - Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. |
| - Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. |
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PUBLIC SAFETY
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- CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
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| - As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions. |
| - Keep unauthorized personnel away. |
| - Stay upwind. |
| - Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). |
| - Keep out of low areas. |
| - Ventilate closed spaces before entering. |
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| - Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). |
| - Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. |
| - Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible. |
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Large Spill
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| - Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile). |
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Fire
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| - If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. |
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE
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- DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.
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Small Fire
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| - Dry chemical or CO2. |
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Large Fire
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| - Water spray, fog or regular foam. |
| - Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. |
| - Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists. |
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Fire involving Tanks
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| - Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. |
| - Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. |
| - Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. |
| - Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. |
| - ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. |
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| - ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). |
| - All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. |
| - Fully encapsulating, vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire. |
| - Do not touch or walk through spilled material. |
| - Stop leak if you can do it without risk. |
| - If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. |
| - Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. |
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- Do not direct water at spill or source of leak.
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| - Isolate area until gas has dispersed. |
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| - Move victim to fresh air. |
| - Call 911 or emergency medical service. |
| - Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. |
| - Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. |
| - Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. |
| - Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. |
| - In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. |
| - In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. |
| - Keep victim warm and quiet. |
| - Keep victim under observation. |
| - Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. |
| - Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. |
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