UN 3072 — Life-saving appliances, not selfinflating
Placard: Miscellaneous. ERG Guide 171. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 3072 is Life-saving appliances, not selfinflating, a manufactured article entry assigned to ERG Guide 171. Component hazards depend on cylinders, chemicals or devices present.
Hazard overview: Manufactured life-saving articles; hazards depend on components such as cylinders, batteries, pyrotechnics or chemicals. Articles may burn in fire and packaging may produce irritating smoke. Cylinders or pressurized parts may rupture when heated.
Response guidance: For UN 3072, 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 171.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 3072 should emphasize exposure routes, SCBA use, vapor/dust monitoring, decontamination, runoff containment and SDS/package verification. Use ERG 171, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Life-saving appliances, not selfinflating 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: Life-saving appliances, not selfinflating should be stored in tightly closed compatible containers with ventilation, secondary containment, restricted access and SDS-based segregation from incompatible materials.
UN 3072 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 3072
- Manufactured life-saving articles; hazards depend on components such as cylinders, batteries, pyrotechnics or chemicals.
- Articles may burn in fire and packaging may produce irritating smoke.
- Cylinders or pressurized parts may rupture when heated.
- Damaged articles may release small quantities of chemicals, compressed gas or irritants.
- Do not assume UN3508 capacitor/asbestos/polymeric bead hazards unless present in the article.
- Runoff and debris may carry burned plastic, rubber or chemical residues.
- Verify exact article contents from shipping papers and labels.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Manufactured articles typically consisting of fabric, plastic, or composite materials in various colors (often orange or yellow). Solid devices at room temperature that may contain compressed gas cylinders or chemical inflation systems.
| Also known as | Life-saving appliancesLife raftsEmergency flotation devicesNon-self-inflating life-saving equipmentMarine survival equipment |
| Appearance | Manufactured articles typically consisting of fabric, plastic, or composite materials in various colors (often orange or yellow). Solid devices at room temperature that may contain compressed gas cylinders or chemical inflation systems. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (manufactured article) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (manufactured article) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (manufactured article) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction under normal conditions; designed for water deployment |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3072
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 3072 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.
- 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 171, SDS, shipping papers and monitoring to set isolation, evacuation and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3072 — Life-saving appliances, not selfinflatinUse 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.