UN 2079 — Diethylenetriamine
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 154. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 2079 is Diethylenetriamine, a corrosive amine liquid assigned to ERG Guide 154. It can cause severe burns and produce alkaline contaminated runoff.
Hazard overview: CORROSIVE amine liquid; skin, eye or respiratory contact may cause severe burns. May be combustible and burn under fire conditions. Mixing with water can generate heat and spread alkaline contamination.
Response guidance: For a UN 2079 incident, verify the product with shipping papers, container markings, SDS and ERG Guide 154. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, control ignition or incompatibility hazards, prevent runoff or vapor spread and base entry/fire-control actions on monitoring and local SOP.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 2079 should emphasize exposure routes, air monitoring, PPE selection, fire behavior, decontamination, runoff containment and ERG/SDS verification. Use ERG 154, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Diethylenetriamine is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Storage, workplace exposure, emergency planning, spill reporting, waste handling and environmental requirements vary by exact product, concentration, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, container markings and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Diethylenetriamine should be stored in tightly closed compatible containers in a secure, ventilated toxic/corrosive area with secondary containment, restricted access and segregation from incompatible chemicals according to SDS.
UN 2079 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2079
- CORROSIVE amine liquid; skin, eye or respiratory contact may cause severe burns.
- May be combustible and burn under fire conditions.
- Mixing with water can generate heat and spread alkaline contamination.
- Vapors or mist can irritate or injure respiratory tissue.
- Contact with acids or oxidizers may react strongly.
- Fire may produce nitrogen oxides and irritating/toxic smoke.
- Runoff may be alkaline, corrosive and environmentally harmful.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Clear to yellow viscous liquid with an ammonia-like odor. Corrosive and hygroscopic at room temperature.
| Also known as | DETA2,2'-Diaminodiethylamine3-Azapentane-1,5-diamineAminoethylethanediamineBis(2-aminoethyl)amine |
| CAS Number | 111-40-0 |
| Appearance | Clear to yellow viscous liquid with an ammonia-like odor. Corrosive and hygroscopic at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | 98C (208F) |
| Boiling Point | 207C (405F) |
| Vapor Density | 3.6 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Soluble in water; exothermic reaction generates heat but not violent |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2079
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA for dust, vapor, mist, fire or confined-space exposure. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, boots, eye/face protection and protective clothing selected from SDS; avoid skin contact.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2079 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Avoid breathing vapors, gas, dust, mist, smoke or fumes and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled/released material unless properly trained and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped, monitored and authorized by incident command.
- Isolate the spill or release area and expand the perimeter for fire involvement, vapor spread, gas accumulation, cylinder heating or unknown product identity.
- Use ERG Guide 154, shipping papers, SDS, air monitoring and incident command for protective actions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2079 — DiethylenetriamineUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.