☣️ UN 1008 • CLASS 2
UN 1008 — Boron trifluoride, compressed
Placard: Toxic Gas. ERG Guide 125. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ This page is a quick-reference aid. For real incidents: stage upwind, isolate, deny entry, request Hazmat early, and consult the current ERG + SOP/SOG.
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UN 1008 Quick Details
UN 1008
Product name: Boron trifluoride, compressed
DOT Class: 2
Placard type: Toxic Gas
ERG Guide: 125 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 125: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 100m in all directions; evacuate downwind 800m during daytime, 2500m at night if large spill
Common Hazards of UN 1008
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive.
- Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Some may burn but none ignite readily.
- Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.
- Some of these materials may react violently with water.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Boron trifluorideBF3TrifluoroboraneBoron fluorideTrifluoroboron |
| CAS Number | 7637-07-2 |
| Appearance | Colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. Exists as a compressed gas at room temperature. Fumes strongly in moist air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable gas) |
| Boiling Point | -100C (-148F) |
| Vapor Density | 2.4 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water to form toxic and corrosive hydrofluoric acid and boric acid. Do not use water directly on material. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1008
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, or nitrogen to blanket; avoid water-based agents due to violent reaction
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A or B required; SCBA mandatory; full chemical-resistant suit; avoid all contact with gas or liquid
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 125: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 100m in all directions; evacuate downwind 800m during daytime, 2500m at night if large spill
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 125).
First Actions for a UN 1008 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1008 — Boron trifluoride, compressedHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1008
Product: Boron trifluoride, compressed
Class 2 / Toxic Gas / ERG 125
PPE: Level A or B required; SCBA mandatory; full chemical-resistant suit; avoid all contact with gas or liquid
ISOLATION: ERG 125: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 100m in all directions; evacuate downwind 800m during daytime, 2500m at night if large spill
ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO
Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING ===
UN 1008 — Boron trifluoride, compressed
Class: 2 | Placard: Toxic Gas | ERG Guide: 125
Appearance: Colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. Exists as a compressed gas at room temperature. Fumes strongly in moist air.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water to form toxic and corrosive hydrofluoric acid and boric acid. Do not use water directly on material.
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or nitrogen to blanket; avoid water-based agents due to violent reaction
PPE: Level A or B required; SCBA mandatory; full chemical-resistant suit; avoid all contact with gas or liquid
Isolation: ERG 125: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 100m in all directions; evacuate downwind 800m during daytime, 2500m at night if large spill
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive.
• Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1008 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1008 Boron trifluoride, compressed Cls2 ERG125 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1008SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS. Includes link to full page.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1008
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1008
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. Some may burn but none ignite readily. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Some of these materials may react violently with water.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Level A or B required; SCBA mandatory; full chemical-resistant suit; avoid all contact with gas or liquid
Water reactivity: Reacts violently with water to form toxic and corrosive hydrofluoric acid and boric acid. Do not use water directly on material.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or nitrogen to blanket; avoid water-based agents due to violent reaction.
ERG Guide 125 recommendation: ERG 125: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 100m in all directions; evacuate downwind 800m during daytime, 2500m at night if large spill
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 125 and your department SOP/SOG for incident-specific protective actions.
Sources (high level): DOT/PHMSA marking & class concepts + ERG usage principles.
This page does not reproduce ERG guide text—always consult the current ERG for incident-specific protective actions.