☣️ UN 1308 • CLASS 3
UN 1308 — Zirconium suspended in a liquid (flammable)
Placard: Flammable. ERG Guide 170. 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 1308 Quick Details
UN 1308
Product name: Zirconium suspended in a liquid (flammable)
DOT Class: 3
Placard type: Flammable
ERG Guide: 170 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 170: Initial isolation 100m (330 ft) in all directions; for fire, evacuate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions; treat as both flammable liquid and reactive metal hazard
Common Hazards of UN 1308
- May react violently or explosively on contact with water.
- Some are transported in flammable liquids.
- May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
- Some of these materials will burn with intense heat.
- Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Zirconium metal powder suspensionZirconium slurryZirconium powder in flammable liquidPyrophoric zirconium suspension |
| Appearance | Gray to black metallic powder suspended in a flammable organic liquid. The suspension appears as a dark slurry or paste with a metallic odor from the carrier solvent. |
| Flash Point | Varies with carrier liquid, typically -20C to 23C (-4F to 73F) depending on solvent used |
| Boiling Point | Depends on carrier solvent, typically 35C to 150C (95F to 302F); zirconium metal melts at 1855C (3371F) |
| Vapor Density | Greater than 1 (heavier than air) due to carrier solvent vapors |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water producing hydrogen gas and heat; may ignite spontaneously; DO NOT use water |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1308
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical (Class D for metal fires), dry sand, soda ash, or dry dolomite; DO NOT use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA; full face shield and chemical-resistant suit; fire proximity suit for fire situations; avoid all ignition sources
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 170: Initial isolation 100m (330 ft) in all directions; for fire, evacuate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions; treat as both flammable liquid and reactive metal hazard
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 170).
First Actions for a UN 1308 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 50 meters (160 feet).
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UN 1308 — Zirconium suspended in a liquid (flammabHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1308
Product: Zirconium suspended in a liquid (flammable)
Class 3 / Flammable / ERG 170
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; full face shield and chemical-resistant suit; fire proximity suit for fire situations; avoid all ignition sources
ISOLATION: ERG 170: Initial isolation 100m (330 ft) in all directions; for fire, evacuate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions; treat as both flammable liquid and reactive metal hazard
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 1308 — Zirconium suspended in a liquid (flammable)
Class: 3 | Placard: Flammable | ERG Guide: 170
Appearance: Gray to black metallic powder suspended in a flammable organic liquid. The suspension appears as a dark slurry or paste with a metallic odor from the carrier solvent.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water producing hydrogen gas and heat; may ignite spontaneously; DO NOT use water
Extinguishing: Dry chemical (Class D for metal fires), dry sand, soda ash, or dry dolomite; DO NOT use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; full face shield and chemical-resistant suit; fire proximity suit for fire situations; avoid all ignition sources
Isolation: ERG 170: Initial isolation 100m (330 ft) in all directions; for fire, evacuate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions; treat as both flammable liquid and reactive metal hazard
— Key Hazards —
• May react violently or explosively on contact with water.
• Some are transported in flammable liquids.
• May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1308 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1308 Zirconium suspended in a liquid (flammable) Cls3 ERG170 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1308SMS / 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/1308
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1308
May react violently or explosively on contact with water. Some are transported in flammable liquids. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some of these materials will burn with intense heat. Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air. Containers may explode when heated. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream. Keep unauthorized personnel away.
Level B minimum with SCBA; full face shield and chemical-resistant suit; fire proximity suit for fire situations; avoid all ignition sources
Water reactivity: Reacts violently with water producing hydrogen gas and heat; may ignite spontaneously; DO NOT use water. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical (Class D for metal fires), dry sand, soda ash, or dry dolomite; DO NOT use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents.
ERG Guide 170 recommendation: ERG 170: Initial isolation 100m (330 ft) in all directions; for fire, evacuate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions; treat as both flammable liquid and reactive metal hazard
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 170 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.