☣️ UN 1401 • CLASS 4
Calcium
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 1401
Class: 4
Placard type: Dangerous When Wet
ERG: Guide 138 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill area at least 25-50 meters in all directions. For large spills or fire, isolate 800 meters and consider evacuation of 1600 meters downwind.
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Calcium metalCalcium elementElemental calcium |
| CAS Number | 7440-70-2 |
| Appearance | Silvery-white metallic solid at room temperature. Soft enough to cut with a knife. Odorless. Tarnishes quickly in air forming a grayish-white oxide coating. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (pyrophoric metal) |
| Boiling Point | 1484C (2703F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid metal) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Do not use water for extinguishment. |
| Extinguishing | Dry sand, dry chemical powder, soda ash, or Class D fire extinguisher only. Never use water, foam, or CO2. |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum for spill response. SCBA and chemical-resistant suit required. Face shield and heavy gloves for handling. Protect from moisture. |
| Isolation | ERG 138: Isolate spill area at least 25-50 meters in all directions. For large spills or fire, isolate 800 meters and consider evacuation of 1600 meters downwind. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- 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
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
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
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UN 1401 — Calcium HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1401
Product: Calcium
Class 4 / Dangerous When Wet / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum for spill response. SCBA and chemical-resistant suit required. Face shield and heavy gloves for handling. Protect from moisture.
ISOLATION: ERG 138: Isolate spill area at least 25-50 meters in all directions. For large spills or fire, isolate 800 meters and consider evacuation of 1600 meters 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 1401 — Calcium
Class: 4 | Placard: Dangerous When Wet | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Silvery-white metallic solid at room temperature. Soft enough to cut with a knife. Odorless. Tarnishes quickly in air forming a grayish-white oxide coating.
Water Reactivity: Reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Do not use water for extinguishment.
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical powder, soda ash, or Class D fire extinguisher only. Never use water, foam, or CO2.
PPE: Level B minimum for spill response. SCBA and chemical-resistant suit required. Face shield and heavy gloves for handling. Protect from moisture.
Isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill area at least 25-50 meters in all directions. For large spills or fire, isolate 800 meters and consider evacuation of 1600 meters 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/1401 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1401 Calcium Cls4 ERG138 | ERG 138: Isolate spill area at least 25-50 meters in all directions. For large s | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1401SMS / 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/1401
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FAQ
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 for spill response. SCBA and chemical-resistant suit required. Face shield and heavy gloves for handling. Protect from moisture.
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.