☣️ UN 2447 • CLASS 4
Phosphorus, white, molten
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. 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.
Advertisement
Quick details
UN 2447
Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG: Guide 136 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 136: Isolate spill area immediate 50m (150 ft) in all directions. For large spill, isolate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions. Evacuate downwind area if fire.
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | White phosphorus moltenYellow phosphorus moltenP4 moltenTetraphosphorus molten |
| CAS Number | 12185-10-3 |
| Appearance | Translucent white to yellow waxy solid that becomes a colorless to yellow liquid when molten (above 44°C/111°F). Garlic-like odor. Pyrophoric material that ignites spontaneously in air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (pyrophoric solid/liquid, ignites spontaneously in air at approximately 30°C/86°F) |
| Boiling Point | 280°C (536°F) |
| Vapor Density | 4.3 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water, but hydrolyzes slowly forming phosphine gas and phosphoric acid |
| Extinguishing | Dry sand, soda ash, or dry chemical extinguishing agents. Do not use water or foam. Keep material submerged under water for storage. |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level A minimum for spill response; full encapsulating suit with SCBA required. Molten material causes severe thermal and chemical burns. |
| Isolation | ERG 136: Isolate spill area immediate 50m (150 ft) in all directions. For large spill, isolate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions. Evacuate downwind area if fire. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- Extremely flammable; will ignite itself if exposed to air.
- Burns rapidly, releasing dense, white, irritating fumes.
- Substance may be transported in a molten form.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; ingestion of substance or inhalation of decomposition products will cause
First actions (field-minded)
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- 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
Advertisement
📋 Copy & Share
UN 2447 — Phosphorus, white, molten HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2447
Product: Phosphorus, white, molten
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 136
PPE: Level A minimum for spill response; full encapsulating suit with SCBA required. Molten material causes severe thermal and chemical burns.
ISOLATION: ERG 136: Isolate spill area immediate 50m (150 ft) in all directions. For large spill, isolate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions. Evacuate downwind area if fire.
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 2447 — Phosphorus, white, molten
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 136
Appearance: Translucent white to yellow waxy solid that becomes a colorless to yellow liquid when molten (above 44°C/111°F). Garlic-like odor. Pyrophoric material that ignites spontaneously in air.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water, but hydrolyzes slowly forming phosphine gas and phosphoric acid
Extinguishing: Dry sand, soda ash, or dry chemical extinguishing agents. Do not use water or foam. Keep material submerged under water for storage.
PPE: Level A minimum for spill response; full encapsulating suit with SCBA required. Molten material causes severe thermal and chemical burns.
Isolation: ERG 136: Isolate spill area immediate 50m (150 ft) in all directions. For large spill, isolate 800m (0.5 mile) in all directions. Evacuate downwind area if fire.
— Key Hazards —
• Extremely flammable; will ignite itself if exposed to air.
• Burns rapidly, releasing dense, white, irritating fumes.
• Substance may be transported in a molten form.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2447 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2447 Phosphorus, white, molten Cls4 ERG136 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2447SMS / 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/2447
Advertisement
FAQ
Extremely flammable; will ignite itself if exposed to air. Burns rapidly, releasing dense, white, irritating fumes. Substance may be transported in a molten form. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; ingestion of substance or inhalation of decomposition products will cause
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream. Keep unauthorized personnel away.
Level A minimum for spill response; full encapsulating suit with SCBA required. Molten material causes severe thermal and chemical burns.
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 136 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.