☣️ UN 2909 • CLASS 7
UN 2909 — Radioactive material, excepted package, articles manufactured from depleted uranium
Placard: Radioactive. ERG Guide 161. 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 2909 Quick Details
UN 2909
Product name: Radioactive material, excepted package, articles manufactured from depleted uranium
DOT Class: 7
Placard type: Radioactive
ERG Guide: 161 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 161: No evacuation required for excepted packages; minimal isolation needed; if package damaged, isolate 25m and consult radiation authority
Common Hazards of UN 2909
- Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public
- Very low levels of contained radioactive materials and low radiation levels outside packages result in low
- Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
- Packages do not have RADIOACTIVE I, II, or III labels. Some may have EMPTY labels or may have the
- Some of these materials may burn, but most do not ignite readily.
- Many have cardboard outer packaging; content (physically large or small) can be of many different
- Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | DU articlesDepleted uranium manufactured articlesDU excepted packageLow specific activity uranium articlesU-238 articles |
| Appearance | Solid manufactured articles (e.g., counterweights, radiation shielding, ballast) made from depleted uranium metal. Dense, heavy silvery-gray metal alloy components with low radioactivity. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-combustible metal article) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid metal article, uranium melting point ~1132C/2070F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid metal article) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction under normal conditions; finely divided uranium powder can react slowly with water producing hydrogen |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2909
Extinguishing Media
Standard extinguishing agents acceptable; use dry sand, dry chemical, or CO2 for metal fires if article is damaged
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Minimal PPE required for intact packages; standard work gloves and safety glasses sufficient; radiation monitoring not typically required for excepted packages
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 161: No evacuation required for excepted packages; minimal isolation needed; if package damaged, isolate 25m and consult radiation authority
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 161).
First Actions for a UN 2909 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the
- Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Detain or isolate uninjured persons or equipment suspected to be contaminated; delay decontamination
- 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 2909 — Radioactive material, excepted package,HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2909
Product: Radioactive material, excepted package, articles manufactured from depleted uranium
Class 7 / Radioactive / ERG 161
PPE: Minimal PPE required for intact packages; standard work gloves and safety glasses sufficient; radiation monitoring not typically required for excepted packages
ISOLATION: ERG 161: No evacuation required for excepted packages; minimal isolation needed; if package damaged, isolate 25m and consult radiation authority
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 2909 — Radioactive material, excepted package, articles manufactured from depleted uranium
Class: 7 | Placard: Radioactive | ERG Guide: 161
Appearance: Solid manufactured articles (e.g., counterweights, radiation shielding, ballast) made from depleted uranium metal. Dense, heavy silvery-gray metal alloy components with low radioactivity.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction under normal conditions; finely divided uranium powder can react slowly with water producing hydrogen
Extinguishing: Standard extinguishing agents acceptable; use dry sand, dry chemical, or CO2 for metal fires if article is damaged
PPE: Minimal PPE required for intact packages; standard work gloves and safety glasses sufficient; radiation monitoring not typically required for excepted packages
Isolation: ERG 161: No evacuation required for excepted packages; minimal isolation needed; if package damaged, isolate 25m and consult radiation authority
— Key Hazards —
• Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public
• Very low levels of contained radioactive materials and low radiation levels outside packages result in low
• Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the
• Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2909 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2909 Radioactive material, excepted package, articles manufactured from depleted uranium Cls7 ERG161 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2909SMS / 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/2909
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2909
Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public Very low levels of contained radioactive materials and low radiation levels outside packages result in low Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments. Packages do not have RADIOACTIVE I, II, or III labels. Some may have EMPTY labels or may have the Some of these materials may burn, but most do not ignite readily. Many have cardboard outer packaging; content (physically large or small) can be of many different Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for
Minimal PPE required for intact packages; standard work gloves and safety glasses sufficient; radiation monitoring not typically required for excepted packages
Water reactivity: No significant reaction under normal conditions; finely divided uranium powder can react slowly with water producing hydrogen. Recommended extinguishing: Standard extinguishing agents acceptable; use dry sand, dry chemical, or CO2 for metal fires if article is damaged.
ERG Guide 161 recommendation: ERG 161: No evacuation required for excepted packages; minimal isolation needed; if package damaged, isolate 25m and consult radiation authority
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 161 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.