☣️ UN 2215 • CLASS 8
UN 2215 — Maleic anhydride, molten
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 156. 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 2215 Quick Details
UN 2215
Product name: Maleic anhydride, molten
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 156 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 156: isolate spill 50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m, evacuate 500m downwind if fire or heavy vapor release
Common Hazards of UN 2215
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff.
- When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
- Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
- Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
- Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | 2,5-Furandionecis-Butenedioic anhydrideToxilic anhydrideDihydro-2,5-dioxofuran |
| CAS Number | 108-31-6 |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow crystalline solid when cool; colorless to amber liquid when molten (melts at 52°C). Acrid, choking, irritating odor. |
| Flash Point | 110°C (230°F) - combustible |
| Boiling Point | 202°C (396°F) |
| Vapor Density | 3.4 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water to form maleic acid, generating heat; reaction is not violent but produces corrosive solution |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2215
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, water spray (use caution due to water reactivity); alcohol-resistant foam acceptable for small fires
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with full face respirator; SCBA required in confined spaces or heavy vapor concentrations; chemical-resistant suit for molten material contact
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 156: isolate spill 50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m, evacuate 500m downwind if fire or heavy vapor release
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 156).
First Actions for a UN 2215 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 2215 — Maleic anhydride, moltenHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2215
Product: Maleic anhydride, molten
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 156
PPE: Level B minimum with full face respirator; SCBA required in confined spaces or heavy vapor concentrations; chemical-resistant suit for molten material contact
ISOLATION: ERG 156: isolate spill 50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m, evacuate 500m downwind if fire or heavy vapor release
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 2215 — Maleic anhydride, molten
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 156
Appearance: White to pale yellow crystalline solid when cool; colorless to amber liquid when molten (melts at 52°C). Acrid, choking, irritating odor.
Water Reactivity: Reacts with water to form maleic acid, generating heat; reaction is not violent but produces corrosive solution
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray (use caution due to water reactivity); alcohol-resistant foam acceptable for small fires
PPE: Level B minimum with full face respirator; SCBA required in confined spaces or heavy vapor concentrations; chemical-resistant suit for molten material contact
Isolation: ERG 156: isolate spill 50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m, evacuate 500m downwind if fire or heavy vapor release
— Key Hazards —
• Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
• Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff.
• When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
— 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/2215 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2215 Maleic anhydride, molten Cls8 ERG156 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2215SMS / 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/2215
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2215
Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
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 respirator; SCBA required in confined spaces or heavy vapor concentrations; chemical-resistant suit for molten material contact
Water reactivity: Reacts with water to form maleic acid, generating heat; reaction is not violent but produces corrosive solution. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray (use caution due to water reactivity); alcohol-resistant foam acceptable for small fires.
ERG Guide 156 recommendation: ERG 156: isolate spill 50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m, evacuate 500m downwind if fire or heavy vapor release
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 156 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.