Module 1: Regulations - International Association of Fire Fighters

Student Text IAFF Training for Hazardous Materials: Technician©
Section 304: Emergency Release
Notification
Facilities must notify the LEPC (and consequently the
SERC) of any possible environmental release of specific
chemicals. The specific chemicals referred to in SARA
Title III are found on the following lists: Extremely Hazardous
Substance List (40 CFR 355); Reportable Quantity
List (CERCLA Section 103(a)). Emergency notification
must include:
• Chemical name
• Identification of the chemical by list
• Estimation of quantity released
• Time and duration of release
• Mode of release - air, water, soil
• Known health risks associated with the emergency
• Applicable precautions
• Name and phone number of a contact person
Remember all emergency notifications require a written
follow-up as soon as possible.
Section 311-312: Reporting Requirements
According to SARA, facilities must provide either MSDSs
(Material Safety Data Sheets) or a list of MSDS chemicals
to the SERC, LEPC, and local fire department. If facilities
choose to supply only a list, the list must include very
specific information regarding the health, fire, reactivity
hazards, physical data, etc. for every chemical on the list.
It is much simpler to provide copies of the MSDSs. Furthermore,
facilities must complete an emergency and hazardous
chemical inventory. This inventory is to be submitted
to the LEPC, SERC, and local fire department. Chemicals
included in this inventory are materials that were
present at or above specific threshold quantities. The
specific threshold quantities are 500 pounds for extremely
hazardous substances and 10,000 pounds for all other
hazardous chemicals. It is the hazardous chemical inventory
that initiated the Tier I and Tier II approach.
Module 1: Regulations 1-79