Everyday Hazmat User's Training Guide
Section III Hazardous Materials Management (continued)
Oxidizers (continued)
Permitting
Having more than a minimum quantity of oxidizers onsite may require a permit from your local fire marshal.
Permits May Be Required
If you have in storage, or in use at any one time, a total of more than:
- NFPA class I: 55 gallons liquid or 500 pounds solid
- NFPA
class II: 10 gallons liquid or 100 pounds solid
- NFPA class III: 1 gallon
liquid or 10 pounds solid
- NFPA class IV: Contact your hazmat coordinator
The local fire marshal may not elect to require permits based on quantities of hazardous materials stored; be sure to check with your local fire marshal for specific permitting requirements.
Transportation
Regulations restrict the transportation of oxidizers, even on USDA Forest Service property. Check with your local fire marshal and the State Department of Transportation to see if they may have more restrictive requirements. If you plan to move spheres containing potassium permanganate by air, refer to the USDA Forest Service Interagency Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials. These spheres are used as ignition sources in prescribed burning.
USDA Forest Service-Operated Pickups and Trucks
- You can avoid placarding and shipping papers by transporting
ammonium nitrate fertilizer, calcium hypochlorite, potassium permanganate,
or any combination of these oxidizers in containers that do not weigh more
than
66 pounds (including packaging) or hold more than 8 gallons. The total
weight of all containers may not exceed 440 pounds. See your hazmat coordinator
for
details or if you are transporting
other oxidizers.
- Regardless of how much hazardous materials are being shipped,
the driver must be informed of the
types of products and their quantities.
- Remember, to avoid the complexities of shipping papers, placarding, and emergency response training, keep the total weight of all hazardous materials below 440 pounds.
Other Requirements
- No smoking during loading and unloading.
- Keep fire
away from the vehicle.
- Prevent the vehicle from moving (set
brakes).
- Use tools that will not damage packaging.
- Brace packages to prevent
movement.
- Do not ship incompatible materials with oxidizers.
- Keep packages
dry during shipment.
- Have shipping papers in order.
- If the load exceeds 119
gallons or is 1,001
pounds or more, the driver must have a
commercial driver’s license, hazmat endorsement, a medical certificate, and the
training required by the DOT.
- Make sure each container is marked with the proper
shipping name of the product (as defined by the DOT), identification number
for the specific product, and the sender
or receiver’s name and address. The technical name of the product may also be
required.
- All products must have an oxidizer label.
Vehicle Placard
Identification Number
(Be sure to select the
proper number based on
the specific product.)
If you have any oxidizers other than those listed above, contact your hazmat coordinator for specific guidance—restrictions and dangers may be significantly greater than for the oxidizers described here.