Level 1HAZMATincident example

In the third century B.C., Ctesibius of Alexandria (Egypt), a Greek inventor, designed the first hand-operated fire extinguisher pump. Similar pumps were used in 16th century Europe.

Radiological hazardWarning

Unless specified in 221.1 and 325.1, each mailpiece containing a mailable hazardous material must be plainly and durably marked on the address side with the required shipping name and UN identification numbers. Requirements for the use of DOT Limited Quantity markings intended for air and surface transportation are as follows:

1721 saw British inventor, Richard Newsham, patent the first fire engine pump, which was a twin cylinder, single-acting pump mounted on a cart. It could shoot water from a cistern as far as 135 feet while men worked the handles.

All required hazardous materials warning labels and markings must be placed on the address side of the package. Only in limited situations where sufficient space does not exist, DOT markings may be placed on a side adjacent to the address. Markings and labels must not be placed on the bottom of a package or envelope. Other markings required by the Postal Service or other federal regulatory agencies also must appear on the address side of any mailpiece containing hazardous material, restricted matter, or perishable matter. Specific text markings that are required, must be printed on the address side of the package.

About 1723, British chemist, Ambrose Godfrey, creates an “automatic” fire extinguisher, a wooden cask containing a quantity of liquid and a pewter chamber loaded with gunpowder.

Level 3HAZMATincident example

Note: The labels shown in the exhibits are not shown to size. DOT warning labels must meet the size and color requirements in 49 CFR §172.407 through 172.446 unless special authorization from the director, Product Classification, is obtained as outlined in 325.1.

The warning labels shown in Exhibit 325.3a, Exhibit 325.3b, and Exhibit 325.4 may appear only on mailpieces containing mailable hazardous materials that require use of the label under Postal Service requirements. Division 5.1, 5.2, Class 8 and Class 9 labels are only permitted when used in conjunction with a Limited Quantity air mark.

Helping Firefighters Fight Fires Out of pure necessity, diverse tools to fight fires, have been in continuous development since time immemorial and advances continue to this day.

Level 4Hazmatincident

Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 3 Hazardous Materials > 32 General > 325 DOT Hazardous Materials Warning Labels andMarkings

In 1648, New Amsterdam (now New York), governor, Peter Stuyvesant appoints fire “wardens” to patrol the city and enforce fire codes. In 1658, they began using wooden “rattles” to warn citizens of a fire. (see photo above)

Since 1984, CFFM has pursued its goal of becoming a national centre for documentation, preservation, education, and celebration of Canadian firefighting heritage and community safety awareness.

In 1801, Frederick Graff, chief engineer of the Philadelphia Water Works, patents a post-style fire hydrant resembling what we use today. Previous hydrants had been more primitive.

Today’s gloves are made of a blend of high-performance fibres making them resistant to heat and fire. Firefighter boots are made out of a combination of synthetic materials, leather and rubber for protection and durability.

Hazmat warningtoday

The use of gas masks after World War I, was found to provide no protection from carbon monoxide. Gas masks did not work in an oxygen-deficient environment so were discarded as useless to firefighters.

Today’s self-contained masks, which are connected to an air tank worn by the firefighter, prevent toxic smoke and gases from being inhaled.

Early firefighters sporting full beards, sometimes wet them and inserted them into their mouths in an effort to filter the smokey air to breath. This was probably more effective at keeping beards from catching fire than for breathing!

In commerce, packages containing hazardous materials must display the appropriate DOT hazardous materials warning label and markings. Except as provided in Exhibit 325.3, any mailpiece bearing or required to bear one of the labels shown in Exhibit 325.2 under 49 CFR, is prohibited from mailing.

HAZMATlevel 1 2 3

The Canadian Fire Fighters Museum has a diverse collection of firefighting tools, gear and apparatus spanning a century.

Limited Quantity or UN3373 markings may be permitted to be displayed at a reduced size with special authorization from the director, Product Classification (see 214 for address).

Later, firefighters used air which was hand-pumped from a bellows through a hose and into a “smoke mask.” Because they were bulky and unreliable they were found to be impractical and thus rarely used.

The protective clothing worn by firefighters is called turnout gear. Firefighters originally wore uniforms consisting of thick wool pants and red shirts. Wool was chosen because it was able to shield the firemen against both heat and cold, plus it is mildly resistant to water and flames. They also wore rubber slickers over their wool uniforms.

Hazardous materials eligible to be shipped under the excepted quantity provision, as described in 49 CFR 173.4a and 337.2, must be prepared following Packaging Instruction 10B in Appendix C. Each mailpiece must bear a DOT-approved excepted quantity marking, shown in Exhibit 325.4, under the following conditions:

After World War II, the National Fire Protection Association (USA) imposed equipment standards and mandated that firefighters have a uniform with several layers  — one that was flame-resistant, another moisture-resistant and another that provided thermal insulation. As technology improved, so did the materials used for these layers. Canada also followed these regulations.