Handling hazardous materials at airports requires strict safety protocols to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. These measures include using designated storage facilities, specially equipped transport vehicles, and handling equipment with safety features to mitigate risks associated with hazardous cargo.
Designated Storage Facilities
Airports use designated storage areas to safely store hazardous goods based on the type and potential risks. For example, flammable liquids such as gasoline, solvents, and paints require storage in fire-resistant facilities equipped with high-airflow ventilation systems, which effectively disperse hazardous vapors to prevent them from accumulating. Meanwhile, explosive materials such as fireworks, ammunition, and industrial chemicals like sodium and potassium are stored in blast-resistant containers or buildings located at least 300 meters away from passenger areas and other cargo.
Safe Transport Vehicles
Specialized transportation vehicles are used to move hazardous materials safely within and around airport premises. Their design incorporates safety features specific to the materials they carry. For instance, flammable liquids expand as they heat up, which can create pressure within the vehicle and lead to ruptures and leaks. To prevent this, tanks for transporting flammable liquids are made from materials that withstand high temperatures, such as high-strength steel or specialized alloys like aluminum alloys or stainless steel.
Corrosive substances also pose their own risks during transportation at airports. Cargo such as sulfuric acid used in batteries and sodium hydroxide found in cleaning products can react aggressively with metals, rubber, and certain plastics. Because of this, vehicles for transporting corrosive items are fitted with linings made from heavy-duty plastics or non-reactive coatings like fluoropolymers, which prevent the vehicle’s interior from corroding.
Furthermore, these transport vehicles are equipped with sensors that continuously monitor for signs of fire, such as smoke, heat, or flames. These sensors are installed in areas where fires are most likely to start or spread, such as cargo holds and near storage compartments. When the sensors detect a fire, they activate suppression equipment with agents suited to the materials being transported. For flammable liquids like gasoline and diesel, the equipment uses foam to form a barrier that severs the supply of oxygen needed for the liquid to continue burning. For metals like magnesium or titanium, the equipment may deploy powders that disrupt the chemical reactions sustaining the fire.
Handling Equipment
Equipment used for handling hazardous materials typically includes forklifts, pallet jacks, and conveyor systems, each equipped with specific safety features. Forklifts, for example, are fitted with a sealed compartment for the engine to contain any sparks or heat that could potentially ignite flammable substances. Pallet jacks have wires attached to both the jack and the cargo to bring them to the same electrical potential. This helps prevent the buildup of static electricity, the discharge of which might ignite flammable or explosive substances. Lastly, conveyor systems are designed with enclosed tracks or covered belts to reduce the chance of airborne particles escaping, which could lead to a fire or explosion.