Hazchem is a warning plate system used in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United

Kingdom for vehicles transportinghazardous substances, and on storage facilities. he top!left

section of the plate gives the "mergency Action #ode $"A#% telling thefire brigade what actions
to ta&e if there's an accident. he middle!left section gives the UN (ubstance )dentification
Numberdescribing the chemical. he lower!left section gives the telephone number that should
be called if special advice is needed. he warning symbol at top!right indicates what danger the
chemical presents. he bottom!right of the plate carries a company logo $the flower is a sample
logo%.
here is also a standard null *azchem plate to indicate the transport of non!hazardous
substances. he null plate does not include an "A# or substance identification.
he National #hemical "mergency #entre in the United Kingdom provides a +ree ,nline
*azchem -uide.
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Contents
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/ "mergency Action #ode
o /./ *az#hem fire suppression
o /.1 *az#hem safety parameters
o /.2 "3amples
1 (ee also
2 4eferences
5 "3ternal lin&s
Emergency Action Code.edit0
he "mergency Action #ode $"A#% is a three character code displayed on all dangerous goods
classed carriers, and provides a 6uic& assessment to first responders and emergency
responders $i.e. fire fighters and police% of what actions to ta&e should the carrier carrying such
goods become involved in an incident $traffic collision, for e3ample%. "A#'s are characterised by
a single number $/ to 5% and either one or two letters $depending on the hazard%.
N#"# was commissioned by the 7epartment for #ommunities and 8ocal -overnment $#8-% to
edit the "A# 8ist 19/2 publication, outlining the application of *azchem "mergency Actions
#odes $"A#s% in :ritain for 19/2. he 7angerous -oods "mergency Action #ode $"A#% 8ist is
reviewed every two years and is an essential compliance document for all emergency services,
local government and for those who may control the planning for, and prevention of,
emergencies involving dangerous goods. he current "A# 8ist is 199/2. N#"# has been at the
heart of the UK "A# system since its inception in the early /;<9s, publishing the list on behalf of
the UK -overnment until /;;= and resuming its management in 199>.
he printed version of the boo& can be purchased from (, directly $)(:N? ;<>9//<@5//>5% or
downloaded as a free A7+ file from N#"#Bs website. 7ownload "A# 8ist 19/2
HazChem fire suppression.edit0
Number Action
1 Cets
2 +og
/
3 +oam
4 7ry Agent
1
/
)n the absence of fog e6uipment, a fine spray may be used.
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1
Dater must not be allowed to come into contact with the substance at ris&.
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his number is indicative of what type of fire suppressant should be used to suppress a fire from
igniting or e3tinguish a fire caused by the chemical. he system is designed to ran& fire
suppression methods in order of usability.
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+or e3ample a chemical mar&ed with the
number 2 or Fog can be attac&ed with methods 3 $+oam% or 4 $7ry Agent% but not with 1 $Cets%.
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he E7ry AgentE method must be used for chemicals that have an undesirable reaction with
water and must not be allowed to come in contact with water, therefore4 is the highest ran&ing
suppression method as all of the other methods use water.
HazChem safety parameters.edit0
"ach "A# contains at least one letter, which determines which category the chemical falls under,
and which also highlights the violence of the chemical $i.e. li&elihood to spontaneously combust,
e3plode etc.%, what personal protective e6uipment to use while wor&ing around the chemical and
what action to ta&e when disposing of the chemical.
Category Violence Protection Substance control
P V
+ull
7ilute
R
S
V
:A
S :A for fire only
:A
:A for fire only
! V +ull #ontain
"
#
V
:A
# :A for fire only
$ :A
$ :A for fire only
% #onsider evacuation
#omparison denoting the difference between AA"deployment with 2F" chemicals
"ach category is assigned a letter to determine what actions are re6uired when handling,
containing and disposing of the chemical in 6uestion. "ight 'maGor categories' e3ist which are
commonly denoted by a blac& letter on a white bac&ground. +our subcategories e3ist which
specifically deal with what type of personal protective e6uipment responders must wear when
handling the emergency, denoted by a white letter on a blac& bac&ground. )n Australia with the
update of the Australian 7angerous -oods #ode volume < as of 19/9, the white letter on a blac&
bac&ground has been removed, ma&ing :A a re6uirement at all large incidents regardless of
whether the substance is involved in a fire.
)f a category is classed as violent, this means that the chemical can be violently or e3plosively
reactive,
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either with the atmosphere or water, or both $which could be mar&ed by the 7angerous
when Det symbol%.
Arotection is divided up into three categories of personal protective e6uipment, Full, BA and BA
for fire only. +ull denotes that full personal protective e6uipment provisions must be used around
and in contact with the chemical, which will usually include a portable breathing apparatus and
water tight and chemical proof suit. BA $acronym for breathing apparatus% specifies that a
portable breathing apparatus must be used at all times in and around the chemical, and BA for
fire only specifies that a breathing apparatus is not necessary for short e3posure periods to the
chemical but is re6uired if the chemical is on alight. BA for fire only is denoted within the
emergency action code as a white letter on a blac& bac&ground, while a blac& letter on a white
bac&ground denotes breathing apparatus at all times. Dhen changing the bac&ground colour is
not possible $such as with handwriting%, the use of brac&ets means the same as a blac&
bac&ground. E2.F0"E means the same as a white letter on a blac& bac&ground.
(ubstance control specifies what to do with the chemical in the event of a spill,
either dilute or contain. 7ilute means that the chemical may be washed down the drain with large
6uantities of water. Contain re6uires that the spillage must not come in contact with drains or
water courses.
)n the event of a chemical incident, the "A# may specify that an evacuation may be necessary
as the chemical poses a public hazard which may e3tend beyond the immediate vicinity. )f
evacuation is not possible, advice to stay in doors and secure all points of ventilation may be
necessary. his condition is denoted by an % at the end of any emergency action code. )t is an
optional letter, depending on the nature of the chemical.
%&amples.edit0
3 # %
Use foam or dry agent, substance reacts violentlyHis e3plosive, Use :A if fire present,
evacuate vicinity, contain spill.
3 # %
Use foam or dry agent, substance reacts violentlyHis e3plosive, :A use is essential,
evacuate vicinity, contain spill.
2 " Use fog, foam or dry agent, substance is not violent, use full AA", contain spill.
4 R Use dry agent only, substance is not violent, full AA" essential, dilute spill.
1 S " Use Gets, fog, foam or dry agentI :A for fire onlyI evacuate vicinityI dilute spill.
A very commonly displayed e3ample is 3#% on petrol tan&ers. his means that a fire must be
fought using foam or dry agent $if a small fire%, that it can react violently and is e3plosive, that fire
fighters must wear a portable breathing apparatus at all times, or if a white on blac& F, only if
there is a fire, and that the run!off needs to be contained. )t also indicates to the incident
controller that evacuation of the surrounding area may be necessary.