☣️ UN 1944 • CLASS 4
UN 1944 — Matches, safety
Placard: Flammable Solid. ERG Guide 133. 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 1944 Quick Details
UN 1944
Product name: Matches, safety
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Flammable Solid
ERG Guide: 133 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in all directions
Common Hazards of UN 1944
- Flammable/combustible material.
- May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
- Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
- Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence.
- Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.
- Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Safety matchesStrike-on-box matchesNon-strike-anywhere matchesBook matchesMatchbook matches |
| Appearance | Small wooden or cardboard sticks with a chemically treated tip (typically red phosphorus mixture). The match head ignites only when struck against a specially prepared striking surface containing red phosphorus and ground glass. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (ignites by friction on striking surface) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid combustible item) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction; water extinguishes burning matches |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1944
Extinguishing Media
Water spray, foam, dry chemical, CO2, sand
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Standard firefighting PPE with SCBA; minimal hazard for small quantities
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 133).
First Actions for a UN 1944 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.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1944 — Matches, safetyHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1944
Product: Matches, safety
Class 4 / Flammable Solid / ERG 133
PPE: Standard firefighting PPE with SCBA; minimal hazard for small quantities
ISOLATION: ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in all directions
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 1944 — Matches, safety
Class: 4 | Placard: Flammable Solid | ERG Guide: 133
Appearance: Small wooden or cardboard sticks with a chemically treated tip (typically red phosphorus mixture). The match head ignites only when struck against a specially prepared striking surface containing red phosphorus and ground glass.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction; water extinguishes burning matches
Extinguishing: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, CO2, sand
PPE: Standard firefighting PPE with SCBA; minimal hazard for small quantities
Isolation: ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in all directions
— Key Hazards —
• Flammable/combustible material.
• May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
• Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
— 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.
• Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1944 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1944 Matches, safety Cls4 ERG133 | ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1944SMS / 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/1944
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1944
Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence. Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Standard firefighting PPE with SCBA; minimal hazard for small quantities
Water reactivity: No significant reaction; water extinguishes burning matches. Recommended extinguishing: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, CO2, sand.
ERG Guide 133 recommendation: ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in all directions
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 133 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.