☣️ UN 3088 • CLASS 4
UN 3088 — Self-heating solid, organic, n.o.s.
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. ERG Guide 135. 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 3088 Quick Details
UN 3088
Product name: Self-heating solid, organic, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG Guide: 135 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters (0.5 miles) in all directions
Common Hazards of UN 3088
- Flammable/combustible material.
- May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture.
- May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
- Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
- Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Containers may explode when heated.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Self-heating organic solidSpontaneously combustible organic solidPyrophoric organic material |
| Appearance | Variable appearance depending on specific material; typically a dry solid powder, granules, or flakes that may be white, tan, brown, or other colors. Materials in this category are prone to spontaneous heating and ignition when exposed to air or moisture. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (self-heating solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes or ignites before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | May ignite on contact with moisture or water; avoid water application unless specifically recommended for the material |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3088
Extinguishing Media
Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash, lime; do not use water or foam unless material is already burning and structure protection is needed
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with full face SCBA; Level A if material is airborne or generating toxic vapors; heat-resistant outer clothing if fire involvement
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters (0.5 miles) in all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 135).
First Actions for a UN 3088 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- 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
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UN 3088 — Self-heating solid, organic, n.o.s.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3088
Product: Self-heating solid, organic, n.o.s.
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 135
PPE: Level B minimum with full face SCBA; Level A if material is airborne or generating toxic vapors; heat-resistant outer clothing if fire involvement
ISOLATION: ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters (0.5 miles) in all directions
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 3088 — Self-heating solid, organic, n.o.s.
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 135
Appearance: Variable appearance depending on specific material; typically a dry solid powder, granules, or flakes that may be white, tan, brown, or other colors. Materials in this category are prone to spontaneous heating and ignition when exposed to air or moisture.
Water Reactivity: May ignite on contact with moisture or water; avoid water application unless specifically recommended for the material
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash, lime; do not use water or foam unless material is already burning and structure protection is needed
PPE: Level B minimum with full face SCBA; Level A if material is airborne or generating toxic vapors; heat-resistant outer clothing if fire involvement
Isolation: ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters (0.5 miles) in all directions
— Key Hazards —
• Flammable/combustible material.
• May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture.
• May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3088 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3088 Self-heating solid, organic, n.o.s. Cls4 ERG135 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3088SMS / 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/3088
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3088
Flammable/combustible material. May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture. May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream. Keep unauthorized personnel away.
Level B minimum with full face SCBA; Level A if material is airborne or generating toxic vapors; heat-resistant outer clothing if fire involvement
Water reactivity: May ignite on contact with moisture or water; avoid water application unless specifically recommended for the material. Recommended extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash, lime; do not use water or foam unless material is already burning and structure protection is needed.
ERG Guide 135 recommendation: ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800 meters (0.5 miles) in all directions
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 135 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.