☣️ UN 1603 • CLASS 6
UN 1603 — Ethyl bromoacetate
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 155. 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 1603 Quick Details
UN 1603
Product name: Ethyl bromoacetate
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 155 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 155: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; Large spill isolate 100m all directions, evacuate 300m downwind if fire
Common Hazards of UN 1603
- HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- Vapors form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards.
- Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
- Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
- Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
- Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff.
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
- Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Bromoacetic acid ethyl esterEthyl α-bromoacetateEthyl monobromoacetateBromoacetic ester |
| CAS Number | 105-36-2 |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, fruity odor. Lachrymator (tear-producing). Liquid at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | 47C (117F) |
| Boiling Point | 158-159C (316-318F) |
| Vapor Density | 5.8 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Slowly hydrolyzes in water producing bromoacetic acid and ethanol; no violent reaction but avoid prolonged contact |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1603
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray for cooling
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA and chemical-resistant suit required. Causes severe eye and skin burns. Lachrymator causes tearing.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 155: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; Large spill isolate 100m all directions, evacuate 300m downwind if fire
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 155).
First Actions for a UN 1603 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 1603 — Ethyl bromoacetateHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1603
Product: Ethyl bromoacetate
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 155
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA and chemical-resistant suit required. Causes severe eye and skin burns. Lachrymator causes tearing.
ISOLATION: ERG 155: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; Large spill isolate 100m all directions, evacuate 300m downwind if fire
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 1603 — Ethyl bromoacetate
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 155
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, fruity odor. Lachrymator (tear-producing). Liquid at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Slowly hydrolyzes in water producing bromoacetic acid and ethanol; no violent reaction but avoid prolonged contact
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray for cooling
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA and chemical-resistant suit required. Causes severe eye and skin burns. Lachrymator causes tearing.
Isolation: ERG 155: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; Large spill isolate 100m all directions, evacuate 300m downwind if fire
— Key Hazards —
• HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
• Vapors form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards.
• Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
— 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/1603 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1603 Ethyl bromoacetate Cls6 ERG155 | ERG 155: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; Large spill isolate 100m all di | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1603SMS / 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/1603
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1603
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
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; SCBA and chemical-resistant suit required. Causes severe eye and skin burns. Lachrymator causes tearing.
Water reactivity: Slowly hydrolyzes in water producing bromoacetic acid and ethanol; no violent reaction but avoid prolonged contact. Recommended extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray for cooling.
ERG Guide 155 recommendation: ERG 155: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; Large spill isolate 100m all directions, evacuate 300m downwind if fire
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 155 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.