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Poor storage of oils, chemicals, firefighting foam or other materials is a significant risk to the environment. The potential for accidental spillage is greatest during deliveries and dispensing,...

One of the most common ways for a spillage to enter the environment via open drain gullies connected to the surface water drainage system. The drainage system provides a very efficient pollution...

​ Hazardous materials containers range in size from small vials and jars used in laboratories, through larger packages and transport containers holding many tonnes, to site storage tanks and...

Pollutants will often enter drainage systems before pollution control equipment can be deployed. If this happens, the drainage system itself can be used for containment. At other incidents...

Dilution Occasionally, the best solution for a small spillage on an area of hardstanding is to dilute it with lots of water and release it to the drainage system. Before doing this, carefully...

High volume pumps (HVPs) can be used to: Move flood water Provide mitigation or prevention of flooding at incidents, such as failure of an embankment Provide water for firefighting When...

By Ian S. Hill, MIFireE North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service The fire The city of Basle in Switzerland is located on the banks of the river Rhine, which flows on through Germany and France...

Direct observations from the scene of a hazmat incident will enable the full extent of hazards to be recognised and quantified. Such observations for example, eyewitness reports, visual assessment of...

​ The first or initial level of firefighter decontamination uses equipment carried on pumping appliances. The equipment may range from hose reels to primary shower units. This level of procedure...

Fire and rescue service activity for the emergency containment of pollutants on or in a watercourse will be limited by the equipment carried, the size of the water body and the practical skills and...

If immediate decontamination is required to reduce the risk to people, the guidance described in the ‘Protocol for the disposal of contaminated water and associated wastes’ should be followed to...

Controlled burn strategies will principally apply to industrial or commercial premises processing or storing polluting substances on site or those that have materials on site which can give off...

Fluorosurfactants - PFOS The ingredients which give film-forming properties are commonly referred to as ‘fluorosurfactants’. One particular chemical from this group, perfluoro-octanyl...

As foam is very polluting, especially in its concentrated form, it should be stored and transported correctly, with procedures in place to prevent and contain leaks and spillages. There are four...

Many electronic and database systems are available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Chemdata® is a chemical hazards and identification database developed by the National Chemical...

​ Harmonised European standards for personal protective equipment (PPE) have been developed as the preferred means of demonstrating equipment conformity with the basic health and safety...

Definitions It is important that all fire and rescue services adopt common terminology and definitions to improve inter-operability and safety at all hazardous materials incidents whether they...

The more that is known about the contaminant the faster and more focused the decontamination operation can be. The types of contaminants can be divided into categories based on their primary hazards....

Chemical degradation is the process of altering the chemical structure of the contaminant using a second chemical or material. Commonly used degradation agents include calcium hypochlorite...

A typical list of equipment for use by a decontamination team may include: Chemical protective clothing Self-contained breathing apparatus Powered respirator protective suits Airline...