☣️ UN 1856 • CLASS 4
UN 1856 — Rags, oily
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. ERG Guide 133. 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 1856 Quick Details
UN 1856
Product name: Rags, oily
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG Guide: 133 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 133: No evacuation distances specified for small spills; isolate immediate area and deny entry; for large fires move away and consider evacuation
Common Hazards of UN 1856
- Flammable/combustible material.
- May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
- Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
- Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence.
- Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.
- Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | oily ragsoil-soaked ragswaste rags contaminated with oilpetroleum-soaked textile wastegrease-saturated cloth |
| Appearance | Cloth, fabric, or textile materials saturated or contaminated with oils, greases, or other flammable/combustible liquids. Typically appears dark or discolored with visible oily residue. May have petroleum or solvent odor. |
| Flash Point | Variable, depends on contaminant — typically ranges from -40C to 93C (-40F to 199F) based on absorbed oil/solvent |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid material with absorbed liquid contaminants) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material, though absorbed volatiles may have vapor density >1) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water, though water may not effectively extinguish due to oil content |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1856
Extinguishing Media
Water spray, foam, dry chemical, CO2, or sand; water may be ineffective on oil-saturated materials
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Structural firefighting gear with SCBA for fire response; gloves and safety glasses for handling to avoid skin contact with contaminants
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 133: No evacuation distances specified for small spills; isolate immediate area and deny entry; for large fires move away and consider evacuation
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 133).
First Actions for a UN 1856 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.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1856 — Rags, oilyHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1856
Product: Rags, oily
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 133
PPE: Structural firefighting gear with SCBA for fire response; gloves and safety glasses for handling to avoid skin contact with contaminants
ISOLATION: ERG 133: No evacuation distances specified for small spills; isolate immediate area and deny entry; for large fires move away and consider evacuation
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 1856 — Rags, oily
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 133
Appearance: Cloth, fabric, or textile materials saturated or contaminated with oils, greases, or other flammable/combustible liquids. Typically appears dark or discolored with visible oily residue. May have petroleum or solvent odor.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water, though water may not effectively extinguish due to oil content
Extinguishing: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, CO2, or sand; water may be ineffective on oil-saturated materials
PPE: Structural firefighting gear with SCBA for fire response; gloves and safety glasses for handling to avoid skin contact with contaminants
Isolation: ERG 133: No evacuation distances specified for small spills; isolate immediate area and deny entry; for large fires move away and consider evacuation
— Key Hazards —
• Flammable/combustible material.
• May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
• Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
— 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.
• Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1856 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1856 Rags, oily Cls4 ERG133 | ERG 133: No evacuation distances specified for small spills; isolate immediate a | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1856SMS / 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/1856
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1856
Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence. Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Structural firefighting gear with SCBA for fire response; gloves and safety glasses for handling to avoid skin contact with contaminants
Water reactivity: No significant reaction with water, though water may not effectively extinguish due to oil content. Recommended extinguishing: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, CO2, or sand; water may be ineffective on oil-saturated materials.
ERG Guide 133 recommendation: ERG 133: No evacuation distances specified for small spills; isolate immediate area and deny entry; for large fires move away and consider evacuation
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 133 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.