RESPONSE TO (SUSPECTED) CHLORINE LEAK

All (suspected) chlorine leaks will be treated as a HIGH RISK emergency. Members of the Emergency Response Team, familiar with the chlorine system and trained in the use of Chlorine Emergency Kits will take actions necessary to protect human health and safety.

The minimum personal protective equipment will include supplied air (SCBA or airline), hard hat with face shield, body protection, neoprene rubber gloves, and foot protection. For large chlorine leaks in enclosed locations, a fully encapsulating suit may be necessary.

LEAK DETECTION: Two members of the ERT will attempt to locate the exact point of release. Possible points of release include:

VALVE PACKING GLAND

VALVE SEAT

VALVE INLET THREADS

FUSIBLE PLUG THREADS

SIDE OF CONTAINER

BOTTOM OF CONTAINER

SYSTEM REGULATOR

SYSTEM PLUMBING

If detection is necessary, a cloth wetted with ammonium hydroxide will cause a white cloud of ammonium chloride in the vicinity of the chlorine leak. Caution must be exercised because a white cloud will be formed from any chlorine in the area.

LEAKS IN REGULATOR or SYSTEM PLUMBING

If the leak is downstream of the cylinder valve, the ERT should immediately shut off the gas at the cylinder valve, if it is safe to do so.

LEAKS NEAR THE CYLINDER NECK, BASE, or FOOT-RINGS may not be controllable. If the ERT determines that the leak is in a location in which control may be impossible, the area must be cleared of people and the chlorine supplier contacted.

LEAKS WHICH CAN BE CONTROLLED WITH A CHLORINE EMERGENCY KIT

The Table on the next page provides information on leaks for which emergency action can be taken.

CHLORINE EMERGENCY ACTION TABLE

SOURCE OF LEAK EMERGENCY ACTION

VALVE PACKING GLAND

TIGHTEN PACKING NUT

VALVE SEAT

APPLY VALVE OUTLET CAP

VALVE INLET THREADS

TIGHTEN VALVE INTO CYLINDER or APPLY VALVE SEALING KIT

BROKEN OFF VALVE

DRIVE DRIFT PIN INTO VALVE and APPLY VALVE SEALING KIT

VALVE BLOWN OUT

DRIVE DRIFT PIN INTO CYLINDER and APPLY VALVE SEALING KIT

FUSIBLE PLUG THREADS

TIGHTEN PLUG or APPLY PLUG SEALING KIT

FUSIBLE METAL OF FUSIBLE PLUG

APPLY PLUG SEALING KIT.

VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY BLOWN OUT

DRIVE SMALL DRIFT PIN INTO VALVE BODY. MOVE CYLINDER TO ISOLATED AREA. CONTACT CHLORINE SUPPLIER

SIDE OF CONTAINER

APPLY SIDE LEAK PATCH KIT

Specific details for using the various parts of the CHLORINE EMERGENCY KIT are covered in the Instructions for the kit which follows. All Emergency Response Team personnel should be familiar with the use of this equipment.

[ADVANCED CHEMICAL SAFETY, Inc. (ACSafety) acknowledges the cooperation of Chlorine Specialties, Inc. of San Francisco, CA for the information in this section.]