☣️ UN 1360 • CLASS 4
Calcium phosphide
Placard: Dangerous When Wet. 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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Quick details
UN 1360
Class: 4
Placard type: Dangerous When Wet
ERG: Guide 139 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 139: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate 100m downwind if material on fire or exposed to water. Large spills may require 800m+ evacuation due to toxic phosphine release.
Chemical & Response Details
| 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. |
| Extinguishing | Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash, or dry lime only. No water, foam, or CO2. Smother fires to exclude air. |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level A recommended due to phosphine generation. Full encapsulation, SCBA required. Phosphine is extremely toxic by inhalation. |
| Isolation | ERG 139: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate 100m downwind if material on fire or exposed to water. Large spills may require 800m+ evacuation due to toxic phosphine release. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- Produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water.
- May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
- Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Some are transported in highly flammable liquids.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
First actions (field-minded)
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- 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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UN 1360 — Calcium phosphide HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1360
Product: Calcium phosphide
Class 4 / Dangerous When Wet / ERG 139
PPE: Level A recommended due to phosphine generation. Full encapsulation, SCBA required. Phosphine is extremely toxic by inhalation.
ISOLATION: ERG 139: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate 100m downwind if material on fire or exposed to water. Large spills may require 800m+ evacuation due to toxic phosphine release.
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 1360 — Calcium phosphide
Class: 4 | Placard: Dangerous When Wet | ERG Guide: 139
Appearance: Red-brown to gray crystalline solid or powder with a garlic-like odor when exposed to moisture. Commercially available as lumps or granules.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water producing highly toxic phosphine gas (PH3) and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Never use water for extinguishment.
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash, or dry lime only. No water, foam, or CO2. Smother fires to exclude air.
PPE: Level A recommended due to phosphine generation. Full encapsulation, SCBA required. Phosphine is extremely toxic by inhalation.
Isolation: ERG 139: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate 100m downwind if material on fire or exposed to water. Large spills may require 800m+ evacuation due to toxic phosphine release.
— Key Hazards —
• Produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water.
• May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
• Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
— 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.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1360 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1360 Calcium phosphide Cls4 ERG139 | ERG 139: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate 100m downwind if material | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1360SMS / 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/1360
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FAQ
Produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
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 recommended due to phosphine generation. Full encapsulation, SCBA required. Phosphine is extremely toxic by inhalation.
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 139 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.