☣️ UN 2937 • CLASS 6
UN 2937 — Methylbenzyl (alpha) alcohol, liquid
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 153. 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.
Advertisement
UN 2937 Quick Details
UN 2937
Product name: Methylbenzyl (alpha) alcohol, liquid
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 153 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m and evacuate initial 800m downwind
Common Hazards of UN 2937
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- 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
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol1-PhenylethanolPhenylethyl alcoholStyrallyl alcoholMethylphenylcarbinol |
| CAS Number | 98-85-1 |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild, pleasant floral odor. Viscous consistency at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | 93C (200F) |
| Boiling Point | 204C (399F) |
| Vapor Density | 4.2 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water; slightly soluble |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2937
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA required in confined spaces or fire conditions; chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection mandatory
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m and evacuate initial 800m downwind
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 153).
First Actions for a UN 2937 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
Advertisement
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2937 — Methylbenzyl (alpha) alcohol, liquidHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2937
Product: Methylbenzyl (alpha) alcohol, liquid
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 153
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required in confined spaces or fire conditions; chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection mandatory
ISOLATION: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m and evacuate initial 800m downwind
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 2937 — Methylbenzyl (alpha) alcohol, liquid
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 153
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild, pleasant floral odor. Viscous consistency at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water; slightly soluble
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required in confined spaces or fire conditions; chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection mandatory
Isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m and evacuate initial 800m downwind
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
— 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/2937 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2937 Methylbenzyl (alpha) alcohol, liquid Cls6 ERG153 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2937SMS / 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/2937
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2937
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears). 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 Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
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; SCBA required in confined spaces or fire conditions; chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection mandatory
Water reactivity: No significant reaction with water; slightly soluble. Recommended extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray.
ERG Guide 153 recommendation: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m and evacuate initial 800m downwind
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 153 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.