☣️ UN 1903 • CLASS 8
UN 1903 — Disinfectant, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s.
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 1903 Quick Details
UN 1903
Product name: Disinfectant, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 153 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation
Common Hazards of UN 1903
- 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 | Liquid corrosive disinfectantCorrosive cleaning solutionCorrosive sanitizer liquidDisinfectant solution NOS |
| Appearance | Variable appearance depending on formulation; typically clear to colored liquid with characteristic chemical odor. May be corrosive alkaline or acidic solution at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Variable - depends on specific formulation; many corrosive disinfectants are non-flammable aqueous solutions |
| Boiling Point | Variable - typically 100-120C (212-248F) for aqueous solutions |
| Vapor Density | Variable - typically >1 (heavier than air) for most liquid disinfectant formulations |
| Water Reactivity | Generally water-miscible; some formulations may generate heat when diluted; avoid mixing with incompatible chemicals |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1903
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, water spray; foam may be suitable depending on formulation; avoid incompatible extinguishing agents
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and face shield; prevent all skin and eye contact with corrosive liquid
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 153).
First Actions for a UN 1903 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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UN 1903 — Disinfectant, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1903
Product: Disinfectant, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s.
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 153
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and face shield; prevent all skin and eye contact with corrosive liquid
ISOLATION: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions 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 1903 — Disinfectant, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s.
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 153
Appearance: Variable appearance depending on formulation; typically clear to colored liquid with characteristic chemical odor. May be corrosive alkaline or acidic solution at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Generally water-miscible; some formulations may generate heat when diluted; avoid mixing with incompatible chemicals
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray; foam may be suitable depending on formulation; avoid incompatible extinguishing agents
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and face shield; prevent all skin and eye contact with corrosive liquid
Isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation
— 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/1903 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1903 Disinfectant, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. Cls8 ERG153 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1903SMS / 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/1903
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1903
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; full chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and face shield; prevent all skin and eye contact with corrosive liquid
Water reactivity: Generally water-miscible; some formulations may generate heat when diluted; avoid mixing with incompatible chemicals. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray; foam may be suitable depending on formulation; avoid incompatible extinguishing agents.
ERG Guide 153 recommendation: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation
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.