☣️ UN 2557 • CLASS 4
UN 2557 — Nitrocellulose mixture, with or without plasticizer
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 2557 Quick Details
UN 2557
Product name: Nitrocellulose mixture, with or without plasticizer
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 50m in all directions; evacuate area 800m in all directions if tank or rail car is involved in fire
Common Hazards of UN 2557
- 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 | Cellulose nitratePyroxylinGuncottonCollodion cottonNitrocotton |
| CAS Number | 9004-70-0 |
| Appearance | White to slightly yellow fibrous solid or gel-like material when plasticized. Odorless or slight camphor-like odor depending on plasticizer content. Solid at room temperature, may be in fibrous, granular, or film form. |
| Flash Point | Highly flammable; ignites readily at temperatures as low as 160-170C (320-338F) depending on nitrogen content and plasticizer |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling; deflagrates at approximately 160-170C) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water; material is water-insoluble but stable in contact with water |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2557
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, sand, or foam; water spray may be used to cool containers but not to extinguish burning material
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; full structural firefighting protective clothing with SCBA required; avoid friction and impact during handling
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50m in all directions; evacuate area 800m in all directions if tank or rail car is involved in fire
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 133).
First Actions for a UN 2557 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 2557 — Nitrocellulose mixture, with or withoutHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2557
Product: Nitrocellulose mixture, with or without plasticizer
Class 4 / Flammable Solid / ERG 133
PPE: Level B minimum; full structural firefighting protective clothing with SCBA required; avoid friction and impact during handling
ISOLATION: ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50m in all directions; evacuate area 800m in all directions if tank or rail car is involved in 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 2557 — Nitrocellulose mixture, with or without plasticizer
Class: 4 | Placard: Flammable Solid | ERG Guide: 133
Appearance: White to slightly yellow fibrous solid or gel-like material when plasticized. Odorless or slight camphor-like odor depending on plasticizer content. Solid at room temperature, may be in fibrous, granular, or film form.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water; material is water-insoluble but stable in contact with water
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, sand, or foam; water spray may be used to cool containers but not to extinguish burning material
PPE: Level B minimum; full structural firefighting protective clothing with SCBA required; avoid friction and impact during handling
Isolation: ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50m in all directions; evacuate area 800m in all directions if tank or rail car is involved in fire
— 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/2557 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2557 Nitrocellulose mixture, with or without plasticizer Cls4 ERG133 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2557SMS / 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/2557
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2557
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.
Level B minimum; full structural firefighting protective clothing with SCBA required; avoid friction and impact during handling
Water reactivity: No significant reaction with water; material is water-insoluble but stable in contact with water. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, sand, or foam; water spray may be used to cool containers but not to extinguish burning material.
ERG Guide 133 recommendation: ERG 133: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50m in all directions; evacuate area 800m in all directions if tank or rail car is involved in fire
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.