☣️ UN 1939 • CLASS 8
UN 1939 — Phosphorus oxybromide, solid
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 137. 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 1939 Quick Details
UN 1939
Product name: Phosphorus oxybromide, solid
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 137 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 137: small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions, consider evacuation 300m downwind
Common Hazards of UN 1939
- CORROSIVE and/or TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- EXCEPT FOR ACETIC ANHYDRIDE (UN1715), THAT IS FLAMMABLE, some of these materials may
- May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
- Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Phosphoryl bromidePhosphoric tribromide oxidePOBr3Phosphorus tribromide oxide |
| CAS Number | 7789-59-5 |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow crystalline solid. Pungent, irritating odor. Fumes in moist air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable solid) |
| Boiling Point | 191.7C (377F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid, but vapors heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts vigorously with water producing heat, toxic and corrosive hydrogen bromide and phosphoric acid fumes |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1939
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, dry sand, no water or foam
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with full-face SCBA; acid-resistant chemical protective suit required; avoid all contact
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 137: small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions, consider evacuation 300m downwind
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 137).
First Actions for a UN 1939 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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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1939 — Phosphorus oxybromide, solidHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1939
Product: Phosphorus oxybromide, solid
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 137
PPE: Level B minimum with full-face SCBA; acid-resistant chemical protective suit required; avoid all contact
ISOLATION: ERG 137: small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions, consider evacuation 300m 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 1939 — Phosphorus oxybromide, solid
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 137
Appearance: White to pale yellow crystalline solid. Pungent, irritating odor. Fumes in moist air.
Water Reactivity: Reacts vigorously with water producing heat, toxic and corrosive hydrogen bromide and phosphoric acid fumes
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, dry sand, no water or foam
PPE: Level B minimum with full-face SCBA; acid-resistant chemical protective suit required; avoid all contact
Isolation: ERG 137: small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions, consider evacuation 300m downwind
— Key Hazards —
• CORROSIVE and/or TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
• Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
• Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
— 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/1939 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1939 Phosphorus oxybromide, solid Cls8 ERG137 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1939SMS / 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/1939
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1939
CORROSIVE and/or TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. EXCEPT FOR ACETIC ANHYDRIDE (UN1715), THAT IS FLAMMABLE, some of these materials may May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff.
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 full-face SCBA; acid-resistant chemical protective suit required; avoid all contact
Water reactivity: Reacts vigorously with water producing heat, toxic and corrosive hydrogen bromide and phosphoric acid fumes. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, dry sand, no water or foam.
ERG Guide 137 recommendation: ERG 137: small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions, consider evacuation 300m downwind
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 137 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.