This article shall apply to materials not otherwise covered in this chapter which are highly flammable or which may react to cause fires or explosions or which, by their presence, create or augment a fire or explosion hazard or which, because of their toxicity, flammability or liability to explosion, render fire fighting abnormally dangerous or difficult, and also to flammable liquids which are chemically unstable and which may spontaneously form explosive compounds or undergo spontaneous reactions of explosive violence or with sufficient evolution of heat to be a fire hazard. Hazardous chemicals shall include such materials as flammable solids, corrosive liquids, radioactive materials, oxidizing materials, potentially explosive chemicals, highly toxic materials and poisonous gases, as defined in §
30-90. In addition, this article shall include all materials listed in both Parts 112 and 261 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CORROSIVE LIQUIDS
Includes those acids, alkaline caustic liquids and other
corrosive liquids which, when in contact with living tissue, will
cause severe damage of such tissue by chemical action or, in case
of leakage, will materially damage or destroy other containers or
other hazardous commodities by chemical action and cause the release
of their contents or are liable to cause fire when in contact with
organic matter or with certain chemicals. Corrosive liquids are those
that have a pH less than four or greater than 10.
FLAMMABLE SOLID
Includes a solid substance, other than one classified as
an explosive, which is liable to cause fires through friction, through
absorption of moisture, through spontaneous chemical change or as
a result of retained heat from manufacturing or processing.
HIGHLY TOXIC MATERIAL
A material so toxic to man as to afford an unusual hazard
to life and health during fire-fighting operations or during an unintended
release of said material into the environment. Examples are parathion,
TEPP (tetraethyl phosphate), HETP (hexaethyl tetraphosphate) and similar
insecticides and pesticides.
OXIDIZING MATERIAL
Includes substances such as chlorates, permanganates, peroxides
or nitrates that yield oxygen readily to stimulate combustion.
POISONOUS GAS
Includes any noxious gas of such nature that a small amount
of the gas, when mixed with air, is dangerous to life. Examples are
chlorpicrin, cyanogen, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen peroxide and phosgene.
POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CHEMICAL
Includes any chemical substance, other than one classified
as an explosive or blasting agent, which has a tendency to be unstable
and which can be exploded by heat or shock or a combination thereof.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Includes any material or combination of materials that spontaneously
emits ionizing radiation.
SEALED SOURCE
A quantity of radiation so enclosed as to prevent the escape
of any radioactive material but at the same time permitting radiation
to come out for use.
Packaged oxidizing materials shall be stored
in dry locations and separated from stored organic materials. Bulk,
oxidizing materials shall not be stored on or against wooden surfaces.
Satisfactory provisions shall be made for containing
and neutralizing or safely flushing away leakage of corrosive liquids
which may occur during storage or handling.