UN 1856 — Rags, oily
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. ERG Guide 133. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 1856 is Rags, oily, a Class 4 spontaneously combustible waste material assigned to ERG Guide 133. Oil-soaked rags can self-heat, smolder and ignite if piled or poorly ventilated.
Hazard overview: UN 1856 presents spontaneous combustion, deep-seated smoldering, re-ignition and toxic smoke hazards. The absorbed oil, solvent or finish determines added vapor and exposure risks.
Response guidance: For a UN 1856 incident, responders should verify the product with shipping papers, package markings, SDS and ERG Guide 133. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, control ignition or incompatibility hazards, prevent runoff or vapor spread and choose entry/fire-control actions based on monitoring, SDS and local SOP.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 1856 should emphasize spontaneous heating, deep-seated smoldering, re-ignition, contaminant-specific smoke hazards, pile separation and overhaul. Use ERG 133, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Rags, oily is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Transportation, workplace exposure, spill reporting, waste handling, storage and environmental requirements may vary by formulation, concentration, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, facility documents and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Rags, oily should be stored in approved, closed or ventilated fire-safe containers according to SDS and local fire code, away from heat, ignition sources and incompatible contaminants. Prevent self-heating by limiting pile size, accumulation time and poor ventilation.
UN 1856 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 1856
- SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE waste; oil-soaked rags can self-heat and ignite without an external flame.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks, flames, friction or poor storage/ventilation.
- Can burn rapidly and re-ignite if deep-seated heat remains.
- Absorbed oils, solvents or finishes may release flammable vapors.
- Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic smoke.
- Runoff may spread petroleum, solvent or oily contamination.
- Contaminants on the rags determine additional toxicity and PPE needs.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
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.
| 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 |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1856
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use structural firefighting PPE with SCBA for fire or smoke. For handling without fire, gloves and eye protection should match the oil, solvent, dye or treatment contamination listed in SDS.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 1856 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Avoid breathing vapors, fumes, dust, mist, smoke or gas and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Look for heating, smoke, deep-seated smoldering or re-ignition and separate/unpile material only when safe under incident command.
- Do not touch or walk through spilled material unless properly trained and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped, monitored and authorized by incident command.
- Isolate the spill or leak area and expand the perimeter if vapor, dust, fire involvement, gas accumulation or unknown concentration is present.
- Use ERG Guide 133, shipping papers, SDS, air monitoring and incident command for protective actions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1856 — Rags, oilyUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.