☣️ UN 1814 • CLASS 8
Potassium hydroxide, solution
Placard: Corrosive. 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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Quick details
UN 1814
Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG: Guide 154 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 800m downwind; evacuate immediate area and deny entry
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Caustic potash solutionKOH solutionPotassium hydrate solutionLye solution (potassium)Potash lye |
| CAS Number | 1310-58-3 |
| Appearance | Clear to slightly cloudy colorless liquid with no distinctive odor. Aqueous solution is typically viscous and slippery to the touch. Highly alkaline and corrosive. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (aqueous solution, non-flammable) |
| Boiling Point | Approximately 100-140°C (212-284°F) depending on concentration |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (aqueous solution) |
| Water Reactivity | Miscible with water; dissolution generates significant heat and may cause violent boiling or spattering |
| Extinguishing | Water spray to cool containers, CO2, dry chemical; foam not typically required for aqueous solutions |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum; face shield, chemical-resistant gloves and suit, rubber boots; SCBA for confined spaces or heavy vapor exposure |
| Isolation | ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 800m downwind; evacuate immediate area and deny entry |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
- Avoid any skin contact.
- Fire may 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
- Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
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
- 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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UN 1814 — Potassium hydroxide, solution HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1814
Product: Potassium hydroxide, solution
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 154
PPE: Level B minimum; face shield, chemical-resistant gloves and suit, rubber boots; SCBA for confined spaces or heavy vapor exposure
ISOLATION: ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 800m downwind; evacuate immediate area and deny entry
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 1814 — Potassium hydroxide, solution
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 154
Appearance: Clear to slightly cloudy colorless liquid with no distinctive odor. Aqueous solution is typically viscous and slippery to the touch. Highly alkaline and corrosive.
Water Reactivity: Miscible with water; dissolution generates significant heat and may cause violent boiling or spattering
Extinguishing: Water spray to cool containers, CO2, dry chemical; foam not typically required for aqueous solutions
PPE: Level B minimum; face shield, chemical-resistant gloves and suit, rubber boots; SCBA for confined spaces or heavy vapor exposure
Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 800m downwind; evacuate immediate area and deny entry
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
• Avoid any skin contact.
— 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/1814 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1814 Potassium hydroxide, solution Cls8 ERG154 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1814SMS / 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/1814
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FAQ
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Fire may 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 Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
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; face shield, chemical-resistant gloves and suit, rubber boots; SCBA for confined spaces or heavy vapor exposure
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 154 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.