☣️ UN 2793 • CLASS 4
UN 2793 — Ferrous metal borings, shavings, turnings or cuttings
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. ERG Guide 170. 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 2793 Quick Details
UN 2793
Product name: Ferrous metal borings, shavings, turnings or cuttings
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG Guide: 170 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 170: Isolate spill 25m in all directions. If fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 800m downwind.
Common Hazards of UN 2793
- May react violently or explosively on contact with water.
- Some are transported in flammable liquids.
- May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
- Some of these materials will burn with intense heat.
- Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | iron boringssteel shavingsferrous turningsmetal cuttingsiron filingssteel borings |
| Appearance | Gray to dark gray metallic solid particles, shavings, or filings. Odorless. Fine particles may be pyrophoric when dry or in presence of oil/cutting fluids. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (solid metal particles) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid metal, decomposes/oxidizes before melting point) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | May react with water generating heat and flammable hydrogen gas, especially when finely divided or contaminated with cutting oils. Self-heating possible. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2793
Extinguishing Media
Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. Do not use water or foam on hot/burning material.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level C minimum for handling. SCBA and structural firefighters' protective clothing for fires. Avoid friction or impact that may cause ignition.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 170: Isolate spill 25m in all directions. If fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 800m downwind.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 170).
First Actions for a UN 2793 Incident
- 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
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 50 meters (160 feet).
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UN 2793 — Ferrous metal borings, shavings, turningHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2793
Product: Ferrous metal borings, shavings, turnings or cuttings
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 170
PPE: Level C minimum for handling. SCBA and structural firefighters' protective clothing for fires. Avoid friction or impact that may cause ignition.
ISOLATION: ERG 170: Isolate spill 25m in all directions. If fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 800m 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 2793 — Ferrous metal borings, shavings, turnings or cuttings
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 170
Appearance: Gray to dark gray metallic solid particles, shavings, or filings. Odorless. Fine particles may be pyrophoric when dry or in presence of oil/cutting fluids.
Water Reactivity: May react with water generating heat and flammable hydrogen gas, especially when finely divided or contaminated with cutting oils. Self-heating possible.
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. Do not use water or foam on hot/burning material.
PPE: Level C minimum for handling. SCBA and structural firefighters' protective clothing for fires. Avoid friction or impact that may cause ignition.
Isolation: ERG 170: Isolate spill 25m in all directions. If fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 800m downwind.
— Key Hazards —
• May react violently or explosively on contact with water.
• Some are transported in flammable liquids.
• May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
— 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/2793 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2793 Ferrous metal borings, shavings, turnings or cuttings Cls4 ERG170 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2793SMS / 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/2793
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2793
May react violently or explosively on contact with water. Some are transported in flammable liquids. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some of these materials will burn with intense heat. Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air. Containers may explode when heated. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard.
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 C minimum for handling. SCBA and structural firefighters' protective clothing for fires. Avoid friction or impact that may cause ignition.
Water reactivity: May react with water generating heat and flammable hydrogen gas, especially when finely divided or contaminated with cutting oils. Self-heating possible.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash. Do not use water or foam on hot/burning material..
ERG Guide 170 recommendation: ERG 170: Isolate spill 25m in all directions. If fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 800m downwind.
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 170 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.