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2. Objectives
 Describe the use of a risk-based response
 Identify the method that can be used to characterize
an unidentified material.
 Describe how detection devices respond to common
materials.
 Identify the role of detection devices in isolation and
evacuation
 Identify sampling strategies for a variety of chemical
hazards
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3. Introduction
 Tactical use of air monitors is not easy.
 There are a number of factors to consider
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Occupancy and Location
Type of material and state of matter
Spill location
Weather
Task to complete
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4. Introduction
 One of the best ways to learning how to effectively use
air monitors is to use them on every call.
 It is good habit to carry monitors on calls that do
not involve hazardous materials, so you can learn
what they do or do not react to.
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5. Risk-Based Response
 RBR for responder safety, quick assessment,
identification, and mitigation
 Improved air monitoring skills will sharpen
decisions about:
 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
 Isolation and evacuation distances
 Severity of the event
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6. Risk-Based Response
 Air monitors are dumb devices
 Humans need to be smart and interpret results
 Responders must trust instruments
 Instruments must be calibrated
 Responder must interpret readings
 Properly calibrated instrument does not lie
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7. Risk-Based Response
 Responder can
characterize hazard.
 Monitors help
responder classify
materials into four basic
categories:
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Flammable (fire)
Corrosive
Toxic
Radioactive
 Once a chemical has
been identified,
responders can protect
themselves
 HAZMAT teams should
avoid term “unknown”
as it doesn’t apply
 Invariably, something is
always known about a
chemical
 Using the state of
matter can reveal some
risk factors
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8. Risk-Based Response
 Risk category, chemical and physical properties and
the task determine the best level of PPE.
 PPE can present risk to responders
 Level A ensemble does not offer the best or highest level
of protection
 No one chemical suit is appropriate for all chemical
situations
 Level A ensemble presents safety concerns related to
heat stress, limited visibility, mobility, and
communication
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9. Risk-Based Response
 There are specific
situations where a Level
A ensemble is
appropriate
 Choose appropriate
protective clothing
based on the risk
 As determined by the
detection devices
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10. Risk-Based Response
 Need a minimum of four different technologies:
 pH paper – corrosives
 LEL sensor – flammables
 Photoionization detector – toxics
 Radiation monitor – radiation
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11. Basic Characterization
 Hazmat teams should
identify top ten
chemicals they deal with
and determine.
 Appropriate monitors
$499
 Appropriate PPE
 Basic Strategies
 Action plan for quick
action
$595
 Top Ten
 Ammonia
 Sulfur Dioxide
 Chlorine
 Hydrochloric Acid
 Propane
 Sodium Hydroxide
 Sulfuric Acid
 Gasoline
 Flammable Liquids
 Combustible Liquids
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12. Meter Response
 Understand how chemicals may affect the range of air
monitors needed to classify an unidentified material.
It must by classify into one of the four risk categories.
 Corrosive Risk

Easiest to determine

Determine pH
Multi range ph paper
 Red=Acid/
 Blue=Base

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13. Meter Response
 If paper changes above or away from the spill you have
a high vapor pressure material.
 Most common acids,
 Hydrochloric Acid
 Hydrofluoric Acid
 Acidic Acid
 Oleum
 Many acids have low vapor pressure and the paper
needs to be dipped into the liquid.
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14. Meter Response
 Fire Risk
 LEL sensor is used to
determine if there is
anything flammable
present.
 If a sensor reads 1 than
the material is a
flammable gas emitting
flammable vapors
 Toxic Risk
 A Photoionization
detector identifies
potentially toxic
materials.
 The higher the reading
the more likely the
material is also
flammable
 Most flammables are
toxic before they
become flammable.
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15. Risk Based Response
 What happens when a truckload of chemicals
overturns and mix together?
 Not a major concern unless there is a reaction.
 This usually occurs prior to the arrival to
responders.
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16. Risk Based Response
 Proper air monitoring takes all of the GRAY out of
HAZMAT response
 Makes it black and white
 If the book says evacuate 7 miles
 If the air monitor says 7 feet
 Which is more accurate
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17. Risk Based Response
 Using RBR it really does
not matter what the
mixture is, when
chemical mix they still
present the four basic
risks.
 Fire, Corrosive, Toxic,
Radiation.
 Choose the proper PPE
for the risk
 Determine isolation and
evacuation distances
 Determine the severity
of the incident.
 Use of RBR does not rely
on knowing the exact
makeup of the material.
 Only the significant
hazards.
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18. Role of Monitors in Isolation
and Evacuations.
 Most references and
 Monitors allow for the
Incident Commander to
make immediate
decisions regarding
isolation and
evacuations.
 Method provides for real
time, accurate, and
scientifically backed
decision.
computer models are
very conservative.
 May require that large
area be isolated.
 Detection devices can
determine the exact area
that is hazardous and
what is safe.
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19. Detection of Unidentified
materials and sampling
 Flow charts are providing in
text to guide you through the
process of characterizing an
unidentified material.
 It is impossible to 100
percent identify a material
in the field.
 RBR and sampling
strategies.
 Can help place a
material into a category
 Place material into a
chemical family.
 Examples of Flow charts
 Unidentified Solid
 Unidentified Liquid
 Suspecting hydrocarbon
 Unidentified Liquid with
Corrosive characteristics
 Unidentified Gas with
Corrosive characteristics
 Unidentified Fire and/or
Toxic material that is a
Liquid or Gas.
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20. Summary
 Risk-Based response benefits responders and the
community.
 Using RBR allows for a safe and quick response to a
chemical emergency.
 Concept of risk assessment is an important one for all
emergency responders.
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