☣️ UN 1361 • CLASS 4
Carbon, animal or vegetable origin
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
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⚠️ 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 1361
Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG: Guide 133 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 133: isolate spill area immediate precautions 25m (75 ft) all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m (0.5 mi) all directions
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | CharcoalActivated carbonAnimal charcoalVegetable charcoalBone charWood charcoal |
| Appearance | Black or dark gray solid powder or granular material. Odorless or slight smoky odor. Dry, porous combustible solid at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (combustible solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes/sublimes at high temperature) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water under normal conditions |
| Extinguishing | Water fog, dry chemical, CO2, sand; avoid concentrated water streams that may scatter material |
| PPE | ⚠️ Structural firefighter protective clothing provides limited protection; SCBA required in fire or dust conditions; avoid inhalation of dust |
| Isolation | ERG 133: isolate spill area immediate precautions 25m (75 ft) all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m (0.5 mi) all directions |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- Flammable/combustible material.
- May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
- Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
- Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence.
- Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.
- Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
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.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
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UN 1361 — Carbon, animal or vegetable origin HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1361
Product: Carbon, animal or vegetable origin
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 133
PPE: Structural firefighter protective clothing provides limited protection; SCBA required in fire or dust conditions; avoid inhalation of dust
ISOLATION: ERG 133: isolate spill area immediate precautions 25m (75 ft) all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m (0.5 mi) all directions
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 1361 — Carbon, animal or vegetable origin
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 133
Appearance: Black or dark gray solid powder or granular material. Odorless or slight smoky odor. Dry, porous combustible solid at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water under normal conditions
Extinguishing: Water fog, dry chemical, CO2, sand; avoid concentrated water streams that may scatter material
PPE: Structural firefighter protective clothing provides limited protection; SCBA required in fire or dust conditions; avoid inhalation of dust
Isolation: ERG 133: isolate spill area immediate precautions 25m (75 ft) all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m (0.5 mi) all directions
— Key Hazards —
• Flammable/combustible material.
• May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
• Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
— 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.
• Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1361 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1361 Carbon, animal or vegetable origin Cls4 ERG133 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1361SMS / 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/1361
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FAQ
Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence. Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Structural firefighter protective clothing provides limited protection; SCBA required in fire or dust conditions; avoid inhalation of dust
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 133 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.