☣️ UN 3091 • CLASS 9
UN 3091 — Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment (including lithium alloy batteries)
Placard: Miscellaneous. ERG Guide 138. 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 3091 Quick Details
UN 3091
Product name: Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment (including lithium alloy batteries)
DOT Class: 9
Placard type: Miscellaneous
ERG Guide: 138 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation.
Common Hazards of UN 3091
- 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
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Lithium metal batteriesLithium alloy batteriesEquipment with lithium batteriesLithium battery powered devices |
| Appearance | Sealed battery cells or battery packs integrated within electronic equipment. Typically metallic casing, gray or silver in color. Solid state at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (sealed battery system) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (sealed battery system) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid battery) |
| Water Reactivity | Lithium metal reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat if battery casing is compromised. Intact batteries pose minimal water reactivity risk. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3091
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand for small fires. Class D extinguishing agent for exposed lithium metal. Large battery fires may require flooding with water after risk assessment.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level C minimum for intact batteries. Level B with SCBA for damaged/burning batteries due to toxic fumes (HF possible). Thermal imaging to detect hot spots.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 138).
First Actions for a UN 3091 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
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3091 — Lithium metal batteries contained in equHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3091
Product: Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment (including lithium alloy batteries)
Class 9 / Miscellaneous / ERG 138
PPE: Level C minimum for intact batteries. Level B with SCBA for damaged/burning batteries due to toxic fumes (HF possible). Thermal imaging to detect hot spots.
ISOLATION: ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation.
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 3091 — Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment (including lithium alloy batteries)
Class: 9 | Placard: Miscellaneous | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Sealed battery cells or battery packs integrated within electronic equipment. Typically metallic casing, gray or silver in color. Solid state at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Lithium metal reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat if battery casing is compromised. Intact batteries pose minimal water reactivity risk.
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand for small fires. Class D extinguishing agent for exposed lithium metal. Large battery fires may require flooding with water after risk assessment.
PPE: Level C minimum for intact batteries. Level B with SCBA for damaged/burning batteries due to toxic fumes (HF possible). Thermal imaging to detect hot spots.
Isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation.
— 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/3091 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3091 Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment (including lithium alloy batteries) Cls9 ERG138 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3091SMS / 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/3091
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3091
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 C minimum for intact batteries. Level B with SCBA for damaged/burning batteries due to toxic fumes (HF possible). Thermal imaging to detect hot spots.
Water reactivity: Lithium metal reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat if battery casing is compromised. Intact batteries pose minimal water reactivity risk.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand for small fires. Class D extinguishing agent for exposed lithium metal. Large battery fires may require flooding with water after risk assessment..
ERG Guide 138 recommendation: ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation.
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.