☣️ UN 2797 • CLASS 8
Battery fluid, alkali
Placard: Corrosive. 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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Quick details
UN 2797
Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG: Guide 154 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; protect personnel from contact; evacuate immediate area if large spill or container breach
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Alkaline battery electrolytePotassium hydroxide solutionSodium hydroxide solutionCaustic alkali solutionBattery electrolyte alkali |
| Appearance | Clear to slightly colored aqueous solution with no distinct odor. Corrosive liquid at room temperature, may contain potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide as active ingredient. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (aqueous solution, non-flammable) |
| Boiling Point | 100-110C (212-230F) depending on concentration |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (low volatility aqueous solution) |
| Water Reactivity | Miscible with water; generates heat when diluted but no violent reaction |
| Extinguishing | Water spray, fog, or mist for cooling; avoid direct water jet on concentrated solution |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum; full face shield, chemical resistant gloves and suit; SCBA recommended in confined spaces or spills |
| Isolation | ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; protect personnel from contact; evacuate immediate area if large spill or container breach |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
- Avoid any skin contact.
- Fire may 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
- Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
First actions (field-minded)
- 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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UN 2797 — Battery fluid, alkali HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2797
Product: Battery fluid, alkali
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 154
PPE: Level B minimum; full face shield, chemical resistant gloves and suit; SCBA recommended in confined spaces or spills
ISOLATION: ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; protect personnel from contact; evacuate immediate area if large spill or container breach
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 2797 — Battery fluid, alkali
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 154
Appearance: Clear to slightly colored aqueous solution with no distinct odor. Corrosive liquid at room temperature, may contain potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide as active ingredient.
Water Reactivity: Miscible with water; generates heat when diluted but no violent reaction
Extinguishing: Water spray, fog, or mist for cooling; avoid direct water jet on concentrated solution
PPE: Level B minimum; full face shield, chemical resistant gloves and suit; SCBA recommended in confined spaces or spills
Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; protect personnel from contact; evacuate immediate area if large spill or container breach
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
• Avoid any skin contact.
— 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/2797 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2797 Battery fluid, alkali Cls8 ERG154 | ERG 154: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; protect personnel from contact; ev | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2797SMS / 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/2797
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FAQ
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Fire may 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 Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
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, chemical resistant gloves and suit; SCBA recommended in confined spaces or spills
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 154 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.