☣️ UN 3090 • CLASS 9
Lithium metal batteries (including lithium alloy batteries)
Placard: Miscellaneous. 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.
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Quick details
UN 3090
Class: 9
Placard type: Miscellaneous
ERG: Guide 138 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions. Fire: isolate 800m in all directions; evacuate area and fight fire from maximum distance.
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Lithium batteriesLi-metal batteriesLithium alloy cellsPrimary lithium batteriesLithium button cells |
| Appearance | Sealed battery units containing metallic lithium or lithium alloy anodes. Typically cylindrical, coin-shaped, or prismatic cells with metallic casing. No distinct color or odor unless damaged or leaking. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (solid battery unit, lithium metal ignites on contact with water) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid battery unit) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid battery unit) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Never use water on lithium metal battery fires. |
| Extinguishing | Dry sand, soda ash, graphite, Class D extinguishing powder for metal fires. NO water, NO foam, NO halogenated agents. |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum for intact batteries; Level A for fires or damaged/leaking batteries. SCBA required. Protect against thermal runaway and toxic fumes (HF possible). |
| Isolation | ERG 138: Isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions. Fire: isolate 800m in all directions; evacuate area and fight fire from maximum distance. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
- May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
- Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Some are transported in highly flammable liquids.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or
First actions (field-minded)
- 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
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
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UN 3090 — Lithium metal batteries (including lithi HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3090
Product: Lithium metal batteries (including lithium alloy batteries)
Class 9 / Miscellaneous / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum for intact batteries; Level A for fires or damaged/leaking batteries. SCBA required. Protect against thermal runaway and toxic fumes (HF possible).
ISOLATION: ERG 138: Isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions. Fire: isolate 800m in all directions; evacuate area and fight fire from maximum distance.
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 3090 — Lithium metal batteries (including lithium alloy batteries)
Class: 9 | Placard: Miscellaneous | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Sealed battery units containing metallic lithium or lithium alloy anodes. Typically cylindrical, coin-shaped, or prismatic cells with metallic casing. No distinct color or odor unless damaged or leaking.
Water Reactivity: Reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Never use water on lithium metal battery fires.
Extinguishing: Dry sand, soda ash, graphite, Class D extinguishing powder for metal fires. NO water, NO foam, NO halogenated agents.
PPE: Level B minimum for intact batteries; Level A for fires or damaged/leaking batteries. SCBA required. Protect against thermal runaway and toxic fumes (HF possible).
Isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill/leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions. Fire: isolate 800m in all directions; evacuate area and fight fire from maximum distance.
— Key Hazards —
• Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
• May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
• Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
— 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/3090 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3090 Lithium metal batteries (including lithium alloy batteries) Cls9 ERG138 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3090SMS / 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/3090
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FAQ
Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or
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 for intact batteries; Level A for fires or damaged/leaking batteries. SCBA required. Protect against thermal runaway and toxic fumes (HF possible).
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 138 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.