☣️ UN 1565 • CLASS 6
UN 1565 — Barium cyanide
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 157. 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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UN 1565 Quick Details
UN 1565
Product name: Barium cyanide
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 157 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate 100-500m downwind if powder released; fire: isolate 800m, evacuate 1600m downwind
Common Hazards of UN 1565
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
- Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above
- Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Barium dicyanideCyanide of bariumBarium salt of hydrocyanic acid |
| CAS Number | 542-62-1 |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or granular solid. Odorless when dry, may release faint bitter almond odor (hydrogen cyanide) when exposed to moisture or acids. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water and moisture to release toxic hydrogen cyanide gas (HCN). Generates heat during hydrolysis. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1565
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, dry sand, or lime; avoid water-based agents due to cyanide gas generation
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A recommended for spill response; SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit and gloves; avoid all contact
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate 100-500m downwind if powder released; fire: isolate 800m, evacuate 1600m downwind
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 157).
First Actions for a UN 1565 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
- 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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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1565 — Barium cyanideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1565
Product: Barium cyanide
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 157
PPE: Level A recommended for spill response; SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit and gloves; avoid all contact
ISOLATION: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate 100-500m downwind if powder released; fire: isolate 800m, 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 1565 — Barium cyanide
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: White crystalline powder or granular solid. Odorless when dry, may release faint bitter almond odor (hydrogen cyanide) when exposed to moisture or acids.
Water Reactivity: Reacts with water and moisture to release toxic hydrogen cyanide gas (HCN). Generates heat during hydrolysis.
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, dry sand, or lime; avoid water-based agents due to cyanide gas generation
PPE: Level A recommended for spill response; SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit and gloves; avoid all contact
Isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate 100-500m downwind if powder released; fire: isolate 800m, evacuate 1600m downwind
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
• Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
• Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
— 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/1565 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1565 Barium cyanide Cls6 ERG157 | ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate 100-500m downwind if powd | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1565SMS / 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/1565
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1565
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
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 for spill response; SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit and gloves; avoid all contact
Water reactivity: Reacts with water and moisture to release toxic hydrogen cyanide gas (HCN). Generates heat during hydrolysis.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, dry sand, or lime; avoid water-based agents due to cyanide gas generation.
ERG Guide 157 recommendation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate 100-500m downwind if powder released; fire: isolate 800m, evacuate 1600m downwind
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 157 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.