Pesticide Fires. Chapter 27. In This Chapter. Keywords. Pre-Fire Plan

Transcription

1 Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires In This Chapter Keywords After learning the information in this chapter, you will be able to: 1. Describe what can be done to prevent fires. 2. List the steps to include in a pre-fire plan. 3. Describe what to do in the event of a pesticide fire. 4. Outline the steps to prevent a pesticide fire. pre-fire plan, inventory, Spills Action Centre, hazards, prevention, safety equipment, evacuate A fire in a pesticide storage area can be extremely dangerous. There is the hazard of the fire itself, plus the additional danger of pesticide poisoning and environmental contamination. Reducing the risk to life and property depends on a good emergency plan. Develop this plan before a fire occurs. Pre-Fire Plan Prepare for the possibility of a fire. You will have a greater chance of reducing health hazards and environmental contamination. 1. Inform the local fire department that you store pesticides so that the fire fighters can be better prepared for the dangers involved. The law says that: (Reg. 63/09, s. 112) All General, Limited Vendors, holders of an operator licence or manufacturers who store Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6, 7 or 8 pesticides must notify the fire department annually, in writing, that pesticides are stored in their warehouse. You can use the form provided at the end of this chapter. The notice must include: name of the person responsible for storage complete name of the pesticides stored location and condition of the storage building. Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires 285

2 2. Invite the fire department to visit your warehouse so that they know where the pesticides are stored and in what quantities. 3. Store all of your pesticides in one area. 4. Keep an up-to-date inventory of the pesticides. Keep a copy of the MSDSs (not more than 3 years old) for each product. Both the inventory and MSDSs must be in an accessible location. 5. Take the time to carefully map a floor plan of the pesticide storage facility and the immediate surrounding area. The sketch of the storage area should: locate all emergency and protective equipment plus indicate the position of all windows and doors indicate all water sources and the volume of water available for fire fighting map the drainage system of the site to help determine how to control run off water note nearby buildings and their functions include the fence line showing all access routes. 6. Make a plan for dikes and drainage so that runoff water is prevented from entering water courses. 7. Teach your employees what to do in an emergency. It s a good idea to have a written emergency fire plan and to have regular fire drills. Workers should also be trained in the proper use of safety equipment. This will ensure that all employees can respond properly in an emergency situation. Remember to inform all employees if any changes are made to the plan. 8. Prepare procedures for evacuating and notifying the fire department. Do not take unnecessary risks in firefighting. It is wiser to wait for the fire department than to be poisoned or injured. Fire Plan Make a detailed, step-by-step plan of what to do if a fire occurs. Identify in advance one knowledgeable person to co-ordinate activities with emergency personnel and to respond to news media questions. 1. Evacuate and isolate the area immediately. Anyone in the vicinity of the fire may be exposed to toxic fumes, poisonous run-off, and concentrated pesticides from leaking or exploding storage containers. Account for all personnel. 286 Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires

3 2. Call the local fire department immediately when smoke or fire is first detected. Remind fire fighters of the additional danger of burning pesticides and of the importance of wearing air-supplied respirators. 3. Call the Spills Action Centre They can advise you of special precautions or send an expert to the site (Reg. 63/09, s.113). 4. Call the police for traffic control and ensure the safety of people living in the area. 5. Call the local medical authorities and the Poison Information Centre and advise them of the chemicals involved. 6. Determine the location and extent of the fire if possible. What to Tell Fire Fighters Tell the fire department what pesticides are in the affected area. Provide Material Safety Data Sheets if available. Anyone directly involved with the fire should use selfcontained breathing apparatus and cover the body completely. Foam or fog nozzles are recommended when fighting a pesticide fire. Advise fire fighters to use as little water as possible to avoid contaminating the surrounding area. Control all runoff water. Advise health and other emergency authorities that: All personnel should be kept out of the smoke or mist created by the fire. Everyone should wear protective equipment to protect against spills, splashes and toxic fumes. Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires 287

4 Post-fire Actions After the fire is under control: Rope the area off and post a 24-hour guard to prevent anyone from entering. All firefighting equipment, including hoses, should be decontaminated on site to prevent off-site health or environmental problems. Advise anyone involved in fighting the fire to report any sickness, nausea or other health effects that develop within 48 hours after the fire. Make special arrangements to dispose of the debris according to provincial regulations. Fire Hazards Pesticides may be highly flammable or explosive. Fires may give off fumes or smoke highly toxic to fire fighters and residents. It may be necessary to evacuate the surrounding area depending upon the extent of the fire. The toxicity and hazard of many pesticides burning together is unknown. Fumes and smoke may adversely affect vegetation in the surrounding area. Runoff water may be highly toxic. Make sure runoff water is prevented from entering any street sewer, culvert, ditch, or stream leading off the property. Dikes or sandbags should be used when necessary to divert contaminated water from streams or critical areas. Know where to set up dikes and what material is required. 288 Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires

5 Fire Prevention Everyone hopes that a fire will never happen. Here are some things you can do to help prevent a fire. Do not use open flames for welding, burning, cutting, etc. in the pesticide storage. If you must make repairs, remove the pesticides from the area first. Make sure that a fire extinguisher is close by. Use stretch wrapping rather than shrink wrapping because stretch wrapping does not require any heat. Make sure pesticide storage construction, electrical installations and equipment are up to date and follow the required codes (e.g. - National Fire, Building Codes or Electrical Codes and the Ontario Fire Codes). Secure doors and windows to protect your storage from intruders and vandals. Keep unauthorized people from entering to avoid the risk of fire and damage to your property. Fire Safety Equipment Make sure that your warehouse is equipped with the right equipment to prevent a fire or deal with an emergency. You will need smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and personal protective equipment. Large warehouses may also need a sprinkler system. Install a smoke alarm system. The local fire department may be able to recommend a fire detection system that can be wired directly to the fire department. Once a system is installed, remember to check it regularly. If you detect the fire quickly, you can limit damage. Portable fire extinguishers should be located throughout the warehouse. Get advice from the local fire department about the equipment to buy and where to put it. The Ministry of Labour has guidelines about emergency control and personal protective equipment such as first aid kits, emergency showers, and eye wash stations. Check with the Ministry of Labour ( for more information. Find out from your local fire department if a sprinkler system is required. Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires 289

6 Practice Your Understanding 1. You are a General Vendor and you store Class 2 pesticides. What does Regulation 63/09 require you to do to prepare for the possibility of a fire? 2. List some ways to help prevent fires in a pesticide storage building. 290 Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires

7 Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Fire Department Pesticide Storage Notification (for reference in case of an emergency) Ontario Regulation 63/09 under the Pesticides Act requires that: Any person who stores a Class 1 pesticide MUST give a written notice annually to the fire department responsible for the area in which the pesticide is stored. Every manufacturer 1, licensed operator or licensed vendor who stores a Class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 pesticide MUST give a written notice annually to the fire department responsible for the area in which the pesticide is stored. This form, when completed and forwarded to the local fire department, serves as the notification required under Section 112 of O. Reg. 63/09 under the Pesticides Act. Retain a copy for your records. Please notify the fire department if any of the information below changes. Part A. Name of Fire Department (to which notification is being made) Date Address of Fire Department Fire Department Telephone No. (s) Emergency No. City Prov. Postal Code Business No. (non-emergency) Business Name Operator 2 or Vendor 3 Licence Number (if applicable) Address (street number and name or 911 emergency identification number & street name) City Province Postal Code Business Telephone No. Name of Person Responsible 4 for the Storage of Pesticides (please print) Business Fax No. After Hours Contact Telephone No. Name of Alternate Contact (please print) After Hours Contact Telephone No. This business has a fire pre-plan on file with the local fire department under the CropLife Canada Certified Manufacturing Code or Agricultural Warehousing Standards Association audit program. Yes No. If yes, continue to Part B only. If No, please describe the specific location of pesticide storage and conditions of storage (e.g. separate or attached facility, temporary or permanent structure, access to facility, location of nearby buildings and water sources, etc.) on the diagram of the storage area(s) in the section on the reverse side of this form. Continue to Part B and C. Part B. Pursuant to Section 112 of O. Reg. 63/09 under the Pesticides Act, I am providing annual notification to the local fire department that the following pesticides are stored at the address indicated on this form. In Storage (check all that apply) Pesticide Federal Federal Description Class Manufacturing Commercial or Restricted Domestic For use in the manufacture of a pest control product or a product regulated under the Fertilizers Act. For use in commercial activities that are specified on the label or the restricted class when the label specifies essential conditions respecting the display, distribution or limitations on the use of, or qualifications of persons who may use the product. To be distributed primarily to the general public for personal use in or around their homes Ontario Classification under O. Reg. 63/09 (Class 1) (Class 2, 3, or 4) (Class 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8) 1. A manufacturer means a person who carries on business respecting the: i. Formulation of a Class 1 pesticide into another pesticide, ii. Manufacturing of a pesticide into a product, iii. Incorporation of a pesticide into a product, iv. Packaging or distribution of a pesticide or product containing a pesticide. 2. Operator means: the person(s) who has the control and management of an extermination business. 3. Vendor means: a person that is the holder of a General vendor licence allowing for the sale of any pesticide to an authorized person or the holder of a Limited vendor licence allowing for the sale of domestic pesticides to an authorized person. 4. Person responsible means: a certified outlet representative of a General vendor licence holder; or a person who is the owner or person having the charge, management or control of storage of a pesticide at a manufacturing or formulation plant; or a person having the charge, management or control of storage or display of a pesticide as a holder of a Limited vendor licence. Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires 291

8 Part C. Pesticide Storage Location(s) Please provide a diagram indicating the location(s) of pesticide storage within the facility, access points, and location of nearby buildings and water sources (03/09) Queen s Printer of Ontario, Chapter 27 Pesticide Fires