☣️ UN 2033 • CLASS 8
Potassium monoxide
Placard: Corrosive. 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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Quick details
UN 2033
Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG: Guide 154 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill 25m in all directions; if large spill isolate 50m and consider evacuation 300m downwind
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Potassium oxideDipotassium oxideKaliumoxidPotassium oxide (K2O) |
| CAS Number | 12136-45-7 |
| Appearance | Gray to white crystalline solid or powder. Odorless. Hygroscopic and reacts vigorously with moisture. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (inorganic oxide) |
| Boiling Point | Decomposes before boiling |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water, generating heat and forming corrosive potassium hydroxide solution |
| Extinguishing | Dry chemical, dry sand, soda ash; do not use water or foam |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots; face shield |
| Isolation | ERG 154: isolate spill 25m in all directions; if large spill isolate 50m and consider evacuation 300m downwind |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- 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
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
First actions (field-minded)
- 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 2033 — Potassium monoxide HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2033
Product: Potassium monoxide
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 154
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots; face shield
ISOLATION: ERG 154: isolate spill 25m in all directions; if large spill isolate 50m and 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 2033 — Potassium monoxide
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 154
Appearance: Gray to white crystalline solid or powder. Odorless. Hygroscopic and reacts vigorously with moisture.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water, generating heat and forming corrosive potassium hydroxide solution
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, dry sand, soda ash; do not use water or foam
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots; face shield
Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill 25m in all directions; if large spill isolate 50m and consider evacuation 300m downwind
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
• Avoid any skin contact.
— 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/2033 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2033 Potassium monoxide Cls8 ERG154 | ERG 154: isolate spill 25m in all directions; if large spill isolate 50m and con | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2033SMS / 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/2033
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FAQ
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury 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 Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
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; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots; face shield
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 154 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.