UN 1857 — Textile waste, wet
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. ERG Guide 133. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 1857 is Textile waste, wet, a Class 4 textile waste material assigned to ERG Guide 133. Even wet textile waste can self-heat or burn depending on contamination, pile size and drying conditions.
Hazard overview: UN 1857 presents smoldering, re-ignition, contaminant smoke and pile-heating hazards. Synthetic fibers, dyes, oils or treatments can change toxicity and fire behavior.
Response guidance: For a UN 1857 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 1857 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: Textile waste, wet 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: Textile waste, wet 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 1857 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 1857
- SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE or combustible textile waste; hazard depends on fiber, treatment and contamination.
- May self-heat, smolder or ignite if piled, compressed or allowed to dry unevenly.
- Heat, sparks or flames can ignite contaminated or treated textile waste.
- Synthetic fibers, dyes or chemical treatments may produce irritating or toxic smoke.
- Wet material can still create fire risk if contaminated with oils, solvents or reactive residues.
- Runoff may carry dyes, chemicals or decomposition products.
- Re-ignition is possible if deep-seated heat remains.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Wet or dampened fabric scraps, cloth remnants, or textile fibers in various colors. May have slight chemical or musty odor depending on treatment or age.
| Also known as | wet textile wastetextile scraps (wet)wet fabric wastemoistened textile material |
| Appearance | Wet or dampened fabric scraps, cloth remnants, or textile fibers in various colors. May have slight chemical or musty odor depending on treatment or age. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (wetted solid material) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction; material is already wet to reduce fire hazard |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1857
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 1857 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 1857 — Textile waste, wetUse 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.