HazMat Code & Practice

This is a review of Chapter 3 of Chemistry of Hazardous Materials by Meyer & Mauerman. It is not meant to be a summary of the chapter, but a few insights I learned and my general thoughts for application to a business. This chapter is called “Flammable Gases and Liquids”.

The authors explain lower and upper flammable limits, combustible gas monitors, and flashpoints. Various classes of flammable materials are defined. Rules for storing compressed gas are discussed, such as grounding, bonding, and labeling. Pressure requirements and pressure relief valves are explained. The number of gallons of flammable liquids that can be stored together is also discussed. Rail tankcar and tanker truck rules are also explained.

Two of the most interesting sections explained how firefighters should respond to incidents involving the release of flammable gases, and fires coming in contact with tanks which contain flammable materials.

This chapter was eye-opening for me, as I had not considered all of the science and safety requirements behind flammable materials. This chapter would be most helpful for firefighters and anyone working with flammable materials.