UN 1360 — Calcium phosphide
Placard: Dangerous When Wet. ERG Guide 139. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 1360 is Calcium phosphide, a dangerous-when-wet Class 4 material assigned to ERG Guide 139. Contact with water or moisture can release toxic phosphine gas and heat.
Hazard overview: UN 1360 presents water-reactive, flammable gas and phosphine inhalation hazards. Moisture can generate toxic gas and heat, and the material may ignite or re-ignite if water, foam or contaminated runoff reaches it.
Response guidance: For a UN 1360 incident, responders should verify the product with shipping papers, package markings, SDS and ERG Guide 139. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, avoid unnecessary disturbance of powder, piles or damaged packaging, and use only extinguishing agents compatible with the specific material.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 1360 should emphasize water-reactive phosphide behavior, phosphine monitoring, dry-agent selection and downwind toxic gas control. Common errors include using water or foam directly, entering low areas without monitoring and underestimating re-ignition. Use ERG 139, SDS and hazmat SOP.
Regulatory context: Calcium phosphide is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Transportation, workplace exposure, spill reporting, waste handling, storage and environmental requirements may vary by formulation, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, facility documents and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Calcium phosphide should be stored in tightly closed compatible containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from water, moisture, acids, oxidizers, heat and ignition sources. Protect containers from damage and keep dry spill-control materials available where required.
UN 1360 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 1360
- DANGEROUS WHEN WET; contact with water or moisture can release highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas.
- May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
- Reaction with water may generate heat and flammable/toxic gas clouds.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames and may re-ignite after apparent extinguishment.
- Containers may rupture or explode when heated.
- Runoff or water application may spread contamination and increase toxic gas generation.
- Phosphine can be rapidly dangerous in low, enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Red-brown to gray crystalline solid or powder with a garlic-like odor when exposed to moisture. Commercially available as lumps or granules.
| Also known as | Calcium photophorTricalcium diphosphidePhosphure de calciumCalcium phosphide (Ca3P2) |
| CAS Number | 1305-99-3 |
| Appearance | Red-brown to gray crystalline solid or powder with a garlic-like odor when exposed to moisture. Commercially available as lumps or granules. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (water-reactive solid that may spontaneously ignite) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling at approximately 1600C) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material, but produces phosphine gas with vapor density 1.2) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water producing highly toxic phosphine gas (PH3) and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Never use water for extinguishment. |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1360
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA for any suspected phosphine, fire, vapor or confined-space exposure. Chemical-resistant clothing, gloves and eye/face protection should be selected from SDS and incident command; phosphine monitoring is important.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 1360 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Avoid low areas where phosphine or other heavy gases may collect.
- Do not touch spilled material or damaged containers unless properly trained and equipped.
- Keep water, foam and moisture away from the released material unless incident command confirms a compatible cooling or control use.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped, monitored and authorized by incident command.
- Isolate the spill or leak area and expand the perimeter if water contact, fire or phosphine detection is suspected.
- Use ERG Guide 139, shipping papers, SDS, air monitoring and incident command for protective actions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1360 — Calcium phosphideUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.