☣️ UN 1404 • CLASS 4
UN 1404 — Calcium hydride
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 1404 Quick Details
UN 1404
Product name: Calcium hydride
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Dangerous When Wet
ERG Guide: 138 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 138: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protect from moisture and water sources. Evacuate area if fire develops.
Common Hazards of UN 1404
- 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 | Calcium dihydrideHydrolithCaH2 |
| CAS Number | 7789-78-8 |
| Appearance | Gray to white crystalline powder or lumps, odorless when dry. Solid at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (water-reactive solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes above 600C) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water, producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1404
Extinguishing Media
Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. DO NOT use water, foam, or CO2.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required. Full protective clothing to prevent skin contact with material or moisture.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 138: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protect from moisture and water sources. Evacuate area if fire develops.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 138).
First Actions for a UN 1404 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 1404 — Calcium hydrideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1404
Product: Calcium hydride
Class 4 / Dangerous When Wet / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required. Full protective clothing to prevent skin contact with material or moisture.
ISOLATION: ERG 138: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protect from moisture and water sources. Evacuate area if fire develops.
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 1404 — Calcium hydride
Class: 4 | Placard: Dangerous When Wet | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Gray to white crystalline powder or lumps, odorless when dry. Solid at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water, producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously.
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. DO NOT use water, foam, or CO2.
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required. Full protective clothing to prevent skin contact with material or moisture.
Isolation: ERG 138: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protect from moisture and water sources. Evacuate area if fire develops.
— 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/1404 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1404 Calcium hydride Cls4 ERG138 | ERG 138: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protect from moisture and water | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1404SMS / 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/1404
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1404
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 protective clothing to prevent skin contact with material or moisture.
Water reactivity: Reacts violently with water, producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. DO NOT use water, foam, or CO2..
ERG Guide 138 recommendation: ERG 138: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protect from moisture and water sources. Evacuate area if fire develops.
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.