☣️ UN 1847 • CLASS 8
UN 1847 — Potassium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water of crystallization
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 153. 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 1847 Quick Details
UN 1847
Product name: Potassium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water of crystallization
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 153 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill/leak area 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
Common Hazards of UN 1847
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- 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
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Potassium sulfide hydrateDipotassium sulfide hydratePotassium sulphide crystalsLiver of sulfur |
| CAS Number | 1312-73-8 |
| Appearance | Yellow to reddish-brown crystalline solid with a characteristic rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) odor. Hygroscopic and deliquescent at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (inorganic salt) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Dissolves readily in water generating heat and forming alkaline solution; may release hydrogen sulfide gas |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1847
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid direct water application due to heat generation and H2S release
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA required due to H2S evolution risk; chemical-resistant gloves and suit; face shield and eye protection mandatory
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 153: isolate spill/leak area 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 153).
First Actions for a UN 1847 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 1847 — Potassium sulphide, hydrated, with not lHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1847
Product: Potassium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water of crystallization
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 153
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required due to H2S evolution risk; chemical-resistant gloves and suit; face shield and eye protection mandatory
ISOLATION: ERG 153: isolate spill/leak area 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
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 1847 — Potassium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water of crystallization
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 153
Appearance: Yellow to reddish-brown crystalline solid with a characteristic rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) odor. Hygroscopic and deliquescent at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Dissolves readily in water generating heat and forming alkaline solution; may release hydrogen sulfide gas
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid direct water application due to heat generation and H2S release
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required due to H2S evolution risk; chemical-resistant gloves and suit; face shield and eye protection mandatory
Isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill/leak area 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
— 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/1847 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1847 Potassium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water of crystallization Cls8 ERG153 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1847SMS / 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/1847
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1847
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears). 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 Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
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 required due to H2S evolution risk; chemical-resistant gloves and suit; face shield and eye protection mandatory
Water reactivity: Dissolves readily in water generating heat and forming alkaline solution; may release hydrogen sulfide gas. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid direct water application due to heat generation and H2S release.
ERG Guide 153 recommendation: ERG 153: isolate spill/leak area 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 153 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.