GUIDE
138
Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
  • Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
  • May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
  • Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
  • May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
  • May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
  • Some are transported in highly flammable liquids.
  • Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
HEALTH
  • Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death.
  • May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water.
  • Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
  • Runoff from fire control may cause environmental contamination.
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.
  • Keep unauthorized personnel away.
  • Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
  • Ventilate the area before entry.
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 in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
Large Spill
  • Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
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 OR FOAM.
Small Fire
  • Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.
Large Fire
  • DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn.
  • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
Fire Involving Metals or Powders (Aluminum, Lithium, Magnesium, etc.)
  • Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or class D extinguishers; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see GUIDE 170.
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.
  • 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.
  • Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material.
  • DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.
Small Spill
  • Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.
  • Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.
Powder Spill
  • Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry.
  • DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST.
FIRST AID
Refer to the "General First Aid" Section
Specific First Aid:
  • In case of contact with substance, wipe from skin immediately; flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.

ERG 2024