☣️ UN 1897 • CLASS 6
UN 1897 — Tetrachloroethylene
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 160. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ 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 1897 Quick Details
UN 1897
Product name: Tetrachloroethylene
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 160 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 160: isolate spill area minimum 25m in all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind
Common Hazards of UN 1897
- Toxic by ingestion.
- Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas.
- Exposure in an enclosed area may be very harmful.
- Contact may irritate or burn skin and eyes.
- Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily.
- Most vapors are heavier than air.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | PerchloroethylenePCEPercTetrachloroetheneEthylene tetrachloridePercleneTetracap |
| CAS Number | 127-18-4 |
| Appearance | Colorless, non-flammable liquid with a sweet, ether-like or chloroform-like odor. Denser than water and will sink. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable) |
| Boiling Point | 121°C (250°F) |
| Vapor Density | 5.8 (much heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water; low solubility |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1897
Extinguishing Media
Not applicable (non-flammable); if involved in fire use water spray, CO2, or dry chemical
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA; butyl or viton gloves recommended; vapor protection essential in confined spaces
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 160: isolate spill area minimum 25m in all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 160).
First Actions for a UN 1897 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.
- Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1897 — TetrachloroethyleneHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1897
Product: Tetrachloroethylene
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 160
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; butyl or viton gloves recommended; vapor protection essential in confined spaces
ISOLATION: ERG 160: isolate spill area minimum 25m in all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind
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 1897 — Tetrachloroethylene
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 160
Appearance: Colorless, non-flammable liquid with a sweet, ether-like or chloroform-like odor. Denser than water and will sink.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water; low solubility
Extinguishing: Not applicable (non-flammable); if involved in fire use water spray, CO2, or dry chemical
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; butyl or viton gloves recommended; vapor protection essential in confined spaces
Isolation: ERG 160: isolate spill area minimum 25m in all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind
— Key Hazards —
• Toxic by ingestion.
• Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas.
• Exposure in an enclosed area may be very harmful.
— 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.
• Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1897 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1897 Tetrachloroethylene Cls6 ERG160 | ERG 160: isolate spill area minimum 25m in all directions; for large spills isol | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1897SMS / 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/1897
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1897
Toxic by ingestion. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas. Exposure in an enclosed area may be very harmful. Contact may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily. Most vapors are heavier than air.
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 with SCBA; butyl or viton gloves recommended; vapor protection essential in confined spaces
Water reactivity: No significant reaction with water; low solubility. Recommended extinguishing: Not applicable (non-flammable); if involved in fire use water spray, CO2, or dry chemical.
ERG Guide 160 recommendation: ERG 160: isolate spill area minimum 25m in all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 160 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.