FRSC202 Hazardous Materials

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Fire Science

  1. Course Number and Title

    FRSC202 Hazardous Materials

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course introduces the student to the chemical and physical characteristics, hazards, and combustibility of the most commonly encountered hazardous materials. Students learn how hazardous materials can influence fire development and spread, as well as how to manage hazardous materials at the incident scene.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. Students will:
        1. differentiate the nine classifications of hazardous materials and describe the basic chemistry and physical properties of common hazardous materials;
        2. construct appropriate response objectives to theoretical hazardous material scenarios; and
        3. assess decontamination and correct termination procedures at hazardous material incidents.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. hazard recognition and classification, the Incident Command System and hazardous material incident scene safety
      2. the periodic table, chemical symbols and formulas, elements and compounds
      3. the chemistry of combustion, elements of common fuels, heat transfer, fire extinguishment
      4. managing hazardous material incidents
      5. the properties, classification and storage of flammable liquids; the extinguishment of flammable liquid fires
      6. flammable gases and controlling flammable gas emergencies
      7. liquefied gases, refrigerants and related emergencies
      8. cryogenic liquids and gases
      9. flammable solids
      10. combustible metals
      11. plastics
      12. oxidizing agents
      13. radioactive materials
      14. explosives
      15. corrosive materials: acids and bases
      16. hazardous materials response teams

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. The assessment of course learning goals will be based on classroom discussions, written exams, assignments, papers, and/or performance based tasks and projects.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      See course format.

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Section VIII is not being used in new and revised syllabi as of 12/10/08.

Review/Approval Date -11/00; course number revised 3/2010; Revised 4/2012