☣️ UN 2870 • CLASS 4
UN 2870 — Aluminum borohydride in devices
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. ERG Guide 135. 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 2870 Quick Details
UN 2870
Product name: Aluminum borohydride in devices
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG Guide: 135 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 135: isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Large spill: evacuate 800m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Keep containers cool with unmanned water spray from distance if involved in fire.
Common Hazards of UN 2870
- Flammable/combustible material.
- May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture.
- May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
- Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
- Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Containers may explode when heated.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Aluminum tetrahydroborateTetrahydroaluminum borateAluminum borohydride solutionAluminium borohydride |
| CAS Number | 16962-07-5 |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent odor. Pyrophoric liquid that ignites spontaneously in moist air. Typically shipped in sealed devices or containers under inert atmosphere. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (pyrophoric, ignites spontaneously below room temperature) |
| Boiling Point | 44C (111F) at 760 mmHg |
| Vapor Density | 2.4 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water, releasing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. Never use water directly on this material. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2870
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical powder, dry sand, sodium chloride powder. Do not use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required for initial response due to pyrophoric nature. Full-face SCBA, vapor-protective suit, butyl rubber gloves. Avoid all sources of ignition.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 135: isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Large spill: evacuate 800m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Keep containers cool with unmanned water spray from distance if involved in fire.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 135).
First Actions for a UN 2870 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
- 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 2870 — Aluminum borohydride in devicesHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2870
Product: Aluminum borohydride in devices
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 135
PPE: Level A required for initial response due to pyrophoric nature. Full-face SCBA, vapor-protective suit, butyl rubber gloves. Avoid all sources of ignition.
ISOLATION: ERG 135: isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Large spill: evacuate 800m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Keep containers cool with unmanned water spray from distance if 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 2870 — Aluminum borohydride in devices
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 135
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent odor. Pyrophoric liquid that ignites spontaneously in moist air. Typically shipped in sealed devices or containers under inert atmosphere.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water, releasing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. Never use water directly on this material.
Extinguishing: Dry chemical powder, dry sand, sodium chloride powder. Do not use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents.
PPE: Level A required for initial response due to pyrophoric nature. Full-face SCBA, vapor-protective suit, butyl rubber gloves. Avoid all sources of ignition.
Isolation: ERG 135: isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Large spill: evacuate 800m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Keep containers cool with unmanned water spray from distance if involved in fire.
— Key Hazards —
• Flammable/combustible material.
• May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture.
• May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
— 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/2870 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2870 Aluminum borohydride in devices Cls4 ERG135 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2870SMS / 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/2870
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2870
Flammable/combustible material. May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture. May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated.
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 required for initial response due to pyrophoric nature. Full-face SCBA, vapor-protective suit, butyl rubber gloves. Avoid all sources of ignition.
Water reactivity: Reacts violently with water, releasing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. Never use water directly on this material.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical powder, dry sand, sodium chloride powder. Do not use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents..
ERG Guide 135 recommendation: ERG 135: isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Large spill: evacuate 800m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Keep containers cool with unmanned water spray from distance if involved in fire.
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 135 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.