Module 6: Health and Safety Considerations for

Ethanol-Blended Fuel Emergencies

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Objective

Upon the successful completion of this module, participants will be able to determine the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extinguishing and cleaning up blended fuel spills at specific locations.

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Introduction

Ethanol develops bond with gasoline when blended:– Retains hydrocarbon / gasoline characteristics

Absorbents & booms pick up ethanol-blended fuel

Water introduced:– Forms water / ethanol solution that drains to

bottom of fuel mix Oil-type boom / absorbent will pick up

gasoline leaving water / ethanol solution

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Introduction

Water / Ethanol solution picked up with water absorbing boom / absorbent:– May be flammable– If foam used to contain ethanol-blended

fuel vapor: Portion of foam solution absorbs into

ethanol-blended fuel

Detection and Monitoring

Normally performed by technician-level responders

Monitoring equipment crucial resource for responders during assessment & mitigation

5Copyright 2009, IAFC

Copyright 2009, IAFC

4 Gas Meter — PID and VOC

Photo Ionization Detector (PID)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

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Property of Steve Hergenreter, reprinted with permission

Detection and Monitoring

Help determine:– Concentration levels of hazardous

materials– How best to protect everyone from

effects of material – How far public should be removed from

contaminated area

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Copyright 2009, IAFC

Detection and Monitoring

Work zones:– Hot zone– Warm zone– Cold zone

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Copyright 2009, IAFC

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Critical that all responders wear appropriate PPE

Components of generic PPE:– Helmet with face shield / eye protection

meeting ANSI Z87.1– Protective hood– Turnout coat– Turnout pants– Gloves– Boots– Respiratory protection

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Respiratory protection especially critical:– Respiratory system

primary route of exposure into body for hazardous chemicals

3 types:– APR & PAPR– SAR– SCBA

Copyright 2007, TEEX/ESTI

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Activity 6.1 — Incident Procedures

Purpose:– To become familiar with the correct

order of steps in the following procedures & the rationales behind them.

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Summary

Procedures to ensure safe incident management for fire / spill

Knowing type of fuel spilled / burning essential to success of operation

Take steps to contain event & appropriately distribute proper foam