☣️ UN 1394 • CLASS 4
UN 1394 — Aluminum carbide
Placard: Dangerous When Wet. ERG Guide 138. 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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UN 1394 Quick Details
UN 1394
Product name: Aluminum carbide
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Dangerous When Wet
ERG Guide: 138 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 138: Initially isolate spill area 50m in all directions. If fire or water contact occurs, isolate 800m and evacuate 1600m downwind.
Common Hazards of UN 1394
- Produce flammable 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.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Aluminium carbideAluminum tricarbideAl4C3Carbide of aluminum |
| CAS Number | 1299-86-1 |
| Appearance | Gray to yellow crystalline powder or granular solid. Odorless when dry. Decomposes in moist air producing a distinctive acetylene odor. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (reacts with water to produce flammable acetylene gas) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes at approximately 2200C/3992F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water producing flammable acetylene gas and aluminum hydroxide. May ignite spontaneously in moist air. Do not use water. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1394
Extinguishing Media
Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. Never use water, foam, or CO2 containing moisture. Keep material dry.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required. Full chemical protective suit if large spill. Ensure gear is completely dry before contact.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 138: Initially isolate spill area 50m in all directions. If fire or water contact occurs, isolate 800m and evacuate 1600m downwind.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 138).
First Actions for a UN 1394 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.
- 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
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1394 — Aluminum carbideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1394
Product: Aluminum carbide
Class 4 / Dangerous When Wet / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required. Full chemical protective suit if large spill. Ensure gear is completely dry before contact.
ISOLATION: ERG 138: Initially isolate spill area 50m in all directions. If fire or water contact occurs, isolate 800m and evacuate 1600m downwind.
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 1394 — Aluminum carbide
Class: 4 | Placard: Dangerous When Wet | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Gray to yellow crystalline powder or granular solid. Odorless when dry. Decomposes in moist air producing a distinctive acetylene odor.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water producing flammable acetylene gas and aluminum hydroxide. May ignite spontaneously in moist air. Do not use water.
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. Never use water, foam, or CO2 containing moisture. Keep material dry.
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required. Full chemical protective suit if large spill. Ensure gear is completely dry before contact.
Isolation: ERG 138: Initially isolate spill area 50m in all directions. If fire or water contact occurs, isolate 800m and evacuate 1600m downwind.
— Key Hazards —
• Produce flammable 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/1394 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1394 Aluminum carbide Cls4 ERG138 | ERG 138: Initially isolate spill area 50m in all directions. If fire or water co | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1394SMS / 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/1394
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1394
Produce flammable 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. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or
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 B minimum with SCBA required. Full chemical protective suit if large spill. Ensure gear is completely dry before contact.
Water reactivity: Reacts violently with water producing flammable acetylene gas and aluminum hydroxide. May ignite spontaneously in moist air. Do not use water.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. Never use water, foam, or CO2 containing moisture. Keep material dry..
ERG Guide 138 recommendation: ERG 138: Initially isolate spill area 50m in all directions. If fire or water contact occurs, isolate 800m and evacuate 1600m downwind.
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 138 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.