GUIDE
135
Substances - Spontaneously Combustible
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
  • Flammable/combustible material.
  • May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture.
  • May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
  • Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
  • Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
  • May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
  • Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
  • Containers may explode when heated.
HEALTH
  • Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
  • Inhalation of decomposition products may cause severe injury or death.
  • Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
  • Runoff from fire control may cause environmental contamination.
CAUTION: Pentaborane (UN1380) is highly toxic and may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
PUBLIC SAFETY
  • CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
  • Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
  • Keep unauthorized personnel away.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
  • Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
  • Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE.
  • Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.
EVACUATION
Immediate precautionary measure.
  • Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
Spill
  • For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
  • For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
Fire
  • If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.

In Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product. Please consult the shipping document and/or the ERAP Program Section.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
  • DO NOT USE WATER, CO2 OR FOAM ON MATERIAL ITSELF.
  • Some of these materials may react violently with water.
EXCEPTION: For Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite) UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, USE FLOODING AMOUNTS OF WATER for SMALL AND LARGE fires to stop the reaction.
Smothering will not work for these materials, they do not need air to burn.
Small Fire
  • Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or DRY sand, EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929.
Large Fire
  • DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342, or withdraw from area and let fire burn.
  • CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors.
  • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
Fire involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads
  • Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles.
  • Do not get water inside containers or in contact with substance.
  • Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
  • Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
  • ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
SPILL OR LEAK
  • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) in immediate area.
  • Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
  • Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
Small Spill
CAUTION: For spills of Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite), UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, dissolve in 5 parts water and collect for proper disposal.
CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors.
  • Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.
  • Use clean non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal.
  • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
FIRST AID
Refer to the "General First Aid" Section

ERG 2024