Emergency planning
Emergency services manifests
Fire fighting measures
Emergency planning
Notification to Emergency Services
Emergency services manifests
An emergency services manifest and site plan is required to be kept up to date at all premises where gas cylinders are stored above the manifest quantities stated in the table below.
|
Packing group |
Quantity of ammonium nitrate (kg) |
|
I (great danger) |
500 |
|
II (medium danger) |
2,500 |
|
III (minor danger) |
10,000 |
|
Mixed packing groups |
10,000 |
The manifest must contain an up to date inventory of each class of dangerous goods present on site, the quantity and location of each storage area. Class 2.3 gases require the proper shipping name of the gas to be entered. For additional advice, please consult Schedule 4 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation 2001 (PDF, 658 KB) . The manifest and site plan are required to be kept in a red weatherproof container at the main entrance to your site.
Fire fighting measures
Although ammonium nitrate is not combustible it may present a hazard in a fire due to its strong oxidation properties, or through the evolution of toxic and irritating gases from the heat in a fire.
Fire fighting facilities should be compatible with local Queensland Fire and Rescue Service equipment. Fire fighting measures must be provided to ensure the following:
- Access to adequate supplies of water.
- A small fire involving ammonium nitrate is able to be extinguished immediately using a hose.
- If a major fire occurs nearby to the store, water spray can be accessed to cool the adjacent store.
- For large storages of ammonium nitrate, water spray should be able to be directed from a safe distance.
- Fixed fire detection systems should be provided to allow for early detection.
- Fire hose reels are required to be installed where stores exceed 200 m2.
Fire fighting measures should be provided in accordance with Section 10 of AS 1674.1:1997 Safety in Welding and Allied Process-Fire Precautions (non-Queensland Government link) . In the event of a fire, call the Queensland fire and Rescue Service and consider evacuation to a safe place where people are not exposed to the fumes or risk from explosion. Please consult the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service for additional advice regarding fire protection measures.
Emergency planning
Emergency plans are not required to be documented at all workplaces where ammonium nitrate is stored or handled, however it should be regarded as good practice and is recommended even for small quantities.
Emergency plans are required at all places where the quantity of dangerous goods exceeds that shown the table for manifest quantity.
Emergency plans should identify the types of emergency situations likely to be encountered (e.g. fires, gas leaks for each type of gas, explosion) what resources are required and how people are to respond. You may need to consider adequacy of fire fighting systems, access and egress from the site, deciding a safe evacuation assembly area, the need to notify neighbouring places during an emergency, provision and testing of alarms, and carrying out regular emergency drills.
Notification
If you store ammonium nitrate in excess of the manifest quantity, you will also be required to provide notification to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on the approved form.
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