UN 3065 — Alcoholic beverages
Placard: Flammable. ERG Guide 127. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 3065 is Alcoholic beverages, a flammable ethanol-water liquid entry assigned to ERG Guide 127. Fire behavior depends on alcohol concentration.
Hazard overview: FLAMMABLE ethanol-water liquid; fire behavior depends on alcohol concentration. Vapors from high-proof beverages can ignite and form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel to ignition sources and flash back.
Response guidance: For UN 3065, isolate the area, avoid skin contact and use SCBA where vapor, dust, mist or fire is present. Contain runoff and verify controls with SDS and ERG 127.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 3065 should emphasize exposure routes, SCBA use, vapor/dust monitoring, decontamination, runoff containment and SDS/package verification. Use ERG 127, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Alcoholic beverages is regulated as a hazardous material for transport and emergency response. Storage, reporting, exposure, waste and incident-notification duties depend on quantity, formulation and jurisdiction; verify shipping papers, SDS and authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Alcoholic beverages should be stored in tightly closed compatible containers with ventilation, secondary containment, restricted access and SDS-based segregation from incompatible materials.
UN 3065 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 3065
- FLAMMABLE ethanol-water liquid; fire behavior depends on alcohol concentration.
- Vapors from high-proof beverages can ignite and form explosive mixtures with air.
- Vapors are heavier than air and may travel to ignition sources and flash back.
- Liquid is water-miscible and can spread through runoff.
- Containers may rupture when heated.
- Fire may produce carbon monoxide and irritating smoke from packaging or additives.
- Low-alcohol beverages may burn poorly; high-proof spirits can burn readily.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Clear to amber liquid with characteristic alcoholic odor. Varies in ethanol concentration typically from 3-95% by volume depending on beverage type.
| Also known as | EthanolEthyl alcoholGrain alcoholSpiritsLiquorWineBeer |
| CAS Number | 64-17-5 |
| Appearance | Clear to amber liquid with characteristic alcoholic odor. Varies in ethanol concentration typically from 3-95% by volume depending on beverage type. |
| Flash Point | 13C (55F) for typical spirits; varies with ethanol content |
| Boiling Point | 78C (172F) for pure ethanol; varies with water content |
| Vapor Density | 1.6 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Completely miscible with water, no significant reaction |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3065
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA for vapor, dust, mist, fire or confined-space exposure. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, boots, eye/face protection and protective clothing.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 3065 Incident
- Call 911 and the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away and establish incident command.
- Stay upwind, uphill and upstream.
- Eliminate ignition sources if this can be done safely.
- Avoid breathing vapor, dust, gas, mist, smoke or fumes and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material without proper training and PPE.
- Prevent contaminated liquid, dust, runoff and decontamination waste from spreading.
- Ventilate confined spaces only after monitoring and only if properly trained and equipped.
- Use ERG Guide 127, SDS, shipping papers and monitoring to set isolation, evacuation and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3065 — Alcoholic beveragesUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.