☣️ UN 2913 • CLASS 7
UN 2913 — Radioactive material, surface contaminated objects (SCO-I, SCO-II or SCO-III), non fissile or fissile-excepted
Placard: Radioactive. ERG Guide 162. 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 2913 Quick Details
UN 2913
Product name: Radioactive material, surface contaminated objects (SCO-I, SCO-II or SCO-III), non fissile or fissile-excepted
DOT Class: 7
Placard type: Radioactive
ERG Guide: 162 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 162: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills or package damage; restrict entry to authorized radiation personnel only
Common Hazards of UN 2913
- Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public
- Undamaged packages are safe. Contents of damaged packages may cause higher external radiation
- Low radiation hazard when material is inside container. If material is released from package or bulk
- Some material may be released from packages during accidents of moderate severity but risks to people
- Released radioactive materials or contaminated objects usually will be visible if packaging fails.
- Some exclusive use shipments of bulk and packaged materials will not have RADIOACTIVE labels.
- Some packages may have a RADIOACTIVE label and a second hazard label. The second hazard is usually
- Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | SCO-ISCO-IISCO-IIISurface contaminated objectsRadioactive contaminated equipmentContaminated articles |
| Appearance | Solid objects or equipment with radioactive contamination on surfaces. Appearance varies widely depending on the contaminated item (machinery, tools, containers, etc.). Not a chemical substance but physical objects with surface radioactivity. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (contaminated solid objects) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (contaminated solid objects) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid objects) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction from radioactive contamination itself; reactivity depends on the underlying object material |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2913
Extinguishing Media
Not applicable for radiation control; focus on contamination containment with plastic sheeting and barriers
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Protective clothing to prevent contamination; dosimetry required; respiratory protection if damage creates airborne particles; Level C minimum with radiological monitoring
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 162: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills or package damage; restrict entry to authorized radiation personnel only
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 162).
First Actions for a UN 2913 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not
- Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the priority
- 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 and
- 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 2913 — Radioactive material, surface contaminatHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2913
Product: Radioactive material, surface contaminated objects (SCO-I, SCO-II or SCO-III), non fissile or fissile-excepted
Class 7 / Radioactive / ERG 162
PPE: Protective clothing to prevent contamination; dosimetry required; respiratory protection if damage creates airborne particles; Level C minimum with radiological monitoring
ISOLATION: ERG 162: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills or package damage; restrict entry to authorized radiation personnel only
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 2913 — Radioactive material, surface contaminated objects (SCO-I, SCO-II or SCO-III), non fissile or fissile-excepted
Class: 7 | Placard: Radioactive | ERG Guide: 162
Appearance: Solid objects or equipment with radioactive contamination on surfaces. Appearance varies widely depending on the contaminated item (machinery, tools, containers, etc.). Not a chemical substance but physical objects with surface radioactivity.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction from radioactive contamination itself; reactivity depends on the underlying object material
Extinguishing: Not applicable for radiation control; focus on contamination containment with plastic sheeting and barriers
PPE: Protective clothing to prevent contamination; dosimetry required; respiratory protection if damage creates airborne particles; Level C minimum with radiological monitoring
Isolation: ERG 162: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills or package damage; restrict entry to authorized radiation personnel only
— Key Hazards —
• Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public
• Undamaged packages are safe. Contents of damaged packages may cause higher external radiation
• Low radiation hazard when material is inside container. If material is released from package or bulk
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not
• Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the priority
• 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/2913 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2913 Radioactive material, surface contaminated objects (SCO-I, SCO-II or SCO-III), non fissile or fissile-excepted Cls7 ERG162 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2913SMS / 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/2913
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2913
Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public Undamaged packages are safe. Contents of damaged packages may cause higher external radiation Low radiation hazard when material is inside container. If material is released from package or bulk Some material may be released from packages during accidents of moderate severity but risks to people Released radioactive materials or contaminated objects usually will be visible if packaging fails. Some exclusive use shipments of bulk and packaged materials will not have RADIOACTIVE labels. Some packages may have a RADIOACTIVE label and a second hazard label. The second hazard is usually Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the priority Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for
Protective clothing to prevent contamination; dosimetry required; respiratory protection if damage creates airborne particles; Level C minimum with radiological monitoring
Water reactivity: No significant reaction from radioactive contamination itself; reactivity depends on the underlying object material. Recommended extinguishing: Not applicable for radiation control; focus on contamination containment with plastic sheeting and barriers.
ERG Guide 162 recommendation: ERG 162: isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills or package damage; restrict entry to authorized radiation personnel only
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 162 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.