☣️ UN 2796 • CLASS 8
UN 2796 — Sulphuric acid, with not more than 51% acid
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 157. 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 2796 Quick Details
UN 2796
Product name: Sulphuric acid, with not more than 51% acid
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 157 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spills isolate 800m downwind, consider evacuation
Common Hazards of UN 2796
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
- Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above
- Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Dilute sulfuric acidBattery acid (dilute)Hydrogen sulfate (dilute)Oil of vitriol (dilute) |
| CAS Number | 7664-93-9 |
| Appearance | Clear to slightly cloudy, colorless to pale yellow liquid with no strong odor at this dilution. Oily consistency, highly corrosive to tissues. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable aqueous solution) |
| Boiling Point | Approximately 102-110C (216-230F) depending on concentration |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (low volatility aqueous solution) |
| Water Reactivity | Dilutes exothermically; always add acid to water slowly, never reverse. Generates significant heat. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2796
Extinguishing Media
Water spray to dilute, soda ash or lime to neutralize; avoid direct water jet into concentrated areas
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; full face shield, acid-resistant suit, neoprene or butyl rubber gloves, SCBA for vapor exposure
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spills isolate 800m downwind, consider evacuation
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 157).
First Actions for a UN 2796 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 2796 — Sulphuric acid, with not more than 51% aHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2796
Product: Sulphuric acid, with not more than 51% acid
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 157
PPE: Level B minimum; full face shield, acid-resistant suit, neoprene or butyl rubber gloves, SCBA for vapor exposure
ISOLATION: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spills isolate 800m downwind, consider evacuation
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 2796 — Sulphuric acid, with not more than 51% acid
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: Clear to slightly cloudy, colorless to pale yellow liquid with no strong odor at this dilution. Oily consistency, highly corrosive to tissues.
Water Reactivity: Dilutes exothermically; always add acid to water slowly, never reverse. Generates significant heat.
Extinguishing: Water spray to dilute, soda ash or lime to neutralize; avoid direct water jet into concentrated areas
PPE: Level B minimum; full face shield, acid-resistant suit, neoprene or butyl rubber gloves, SCBA for vapor exposure
Isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spills isolate 800m downwind, consider evacuation
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
• Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
• Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
— 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/2796 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2796 Sulphuric acid, with not more than 51% acid Cls8 ERG157 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2796SMS / 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/2796
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2796
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
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 face shield, acid-resistant suit, neoprene or butyl rubber gloves, SCBA for vapor exposure
Water reactivity: Dilutes exothermically; always add acid to water slowly, never reverse. Generates significant heat.. Recommended extinguishing: Water spray to dilute, soda ash or lime to neutralize; avoid direct water jet into concentrated areas.
ERG Guide 157 recommendation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spills isolate 800m downwind, consider evacuation
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 157 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.