Danger group
Risk groups are primarily used by emergency responders in NBC operations to determine the required protective equipment and the decontamination measures to be taken . They are determined by the local licensing authority in coordination with the deployment planners of the emergency services, usually the fire brigade , and the signs are then attached to the entrances to the corresponding areas. It is divided into three levels I, II and III, with I being the most harmless and III the most dangerous.
Classification according to the type of hazardous substance
Radioactive substances
The activity of the substances that are handled in the facility is used as the basis for classifying the hazard groups in the radioactive area . The exact classification can be found in FwDV 500 , as can the other classifications mentioned here .
Biological substances
Areas with biological hazards are grouped based on the biological agents used (e.g. bacteria ). The Biological Agents Ordinance divides them into four different risk groups , accordingly activities in bio-laboratories are carried out in four different protection levels . The risk groups are also used as a basis for the classification of the hazard group. The following applies:
- Risk group I corresponds to risk group 1
- Risk group II corresponds to risk groups 2 and 3 **
- Risk group III corresponds to risk groups 3 and 4
Risk group 3 ** includes substances that have to be classified into risk group 3 based on their level of danger, but which cannot be transmitted via the air (e.g. HIV ).
The classification into the risk groups is based on EU Directive 2000/54 / EC.
Chemical substances
Since chemical substances can differ greatly in their properties, no general classification is possible and must be checked on a case-by-case basis.
Consequences of the classification
Risk group I.
In areas of hazard group I, emergency services may work without special additional equipment, e.g. measuring devices or chemical protective suits . However, self-contained breathing apparatus should be worn to prevent incorporation . The establishment of a decontamination area is also not absolutely necessary.
Risk group II
Areas of danger group II may only be entered with special equipment. This includes on the one hand the NBC protective clothing in the appropriate form of body protection (see section Web links), on the other hand the measuring devices carried. The construction of the decontamination area is also compulsory for operations in hazard group II; it must then be ready for operation 15 minutes after connecting the first compressed air breathing apparatus .
In the A-mission, u. a. the following instruments used: film dosimeters , dosimeter , dose rate meter , dose warning device and contamination detection device .
Risk group III
Operations in the area of hazard group III require the same measures as for hazard group II; in addition, a qualified person must be present before the deployment site can be entered. Rescuing people is an exception. In the following two cases, however, a human rescue may not be carried out without the presence of a competent person:
- Areas of hazard group IIIA in which nuclear fuel is handled.
- Areas of hazard group IIIB that are classified in risk group 4.
special cases
Despite the classification into the hazard groups and the resulting required protective clothing, the NBC operation is carried out in two cases in the simplest form of NBC protective clothing, body protection form 1 (normal fire protection clothing in combination with a hood). These are:
- Fire in the affected property: the NBC protective clothing has no thermal resistance, which is why the aforementioned clothing is worn.
- Rescuing people that cannot be postponed: It would take too long to put on the appropriate overalls, which is why a certain contamination of the emergency services is accepted for the purpose of rescuing people.
Further use of the classification according to hazard groups
Since the classification into hazard groups is a clear system, it is also used for other areas in which the object in use does not constitute a structural system:
- Operations with transport accidents are treated like risk group II until more detailed exploratory results are available.
- Terrorist attacks with NBC weapons are treated like risk group III.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Fire brigade regulations for 500 units in NBC operation, 2012.