☣️ UN 3170 • CLASS 4
UN 3170 — Aluminum remelting by-products
Placard: Dangerous When Wet. 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 3170 Quick Details
UN 3170
Product name: Aluminum remelting by-products
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Dangerous When Wet
ERG Guide: 138 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. Evacuate area if fire develops. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Eliminate all ignition sources and moisture.
Common Hazards of UN 3170
- 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 | Aluminum drossAluminum skimmingsAluminum processing by-productsAluminum smelting residuesHot aluminum dross |
| Appearance | Gray to black solid residue material, often in powder or granular form. Byproduct from aluminum remelting operations containing metallic aluminum, aluminum oxide, salt flux residues, and other impurities. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (water-reactive solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid mixture) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Dangerous when wet - reacts with water to produce flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously on contact with water or moist air. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3170
Extinguishing Media
Do not use water or foam. Use dry sand, soda ash, dry chemical, or dry dolomite for small fires. For large fires, withdraw and let burn.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required. Chemical-resistant suit for spill response. Avoid all contact with water or moisture during handling.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 138: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. Evacuate area if fire develops. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Eliminate all ignition sources and moisture.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 138).
First Actions for a UN 3170 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 3170 — Aluminum remelting by-productsHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3170
Product: Aluminum remelting by-products
Class 4 / Dangerous When Wet / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required. Chemical-resistant suit for spill response. Avoid all contact with water or moisture during handling.
ISOLATION: ERG 138: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. Evacuate area if fire develops. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Eliminate all ignition sources and moisture.
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 3170 — Aluminum remelting by-products
Class: 4 | Placard: Dangerous When Wet | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Gray to black solid residue material, often in powder or granular form. Byproduct from aluminum remelting operations containing metallic aluminum, aluminum oxide, salt flux residues, and other impurities.
Water Reactivity: Dangerous when wet - reacts with water to produce flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously on contact with water or moist air.
Extinguishing: Do not use water or foam. Use dry sand, soda ash, dry chemical, or dry dolomite for small fires. For large fires, withdraw and let burn.
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required. Chemical-resistant suit for spill response. Avoid all contact with water or moisture during handling.
Isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. Evacuate area if fire develops. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Eliminate all ignition sources and moisture.
— 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/3170 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3170 Aluminum remelting by-products Cls4 ERG138 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3170SMS / 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/3170
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3170
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 with SCBA required. Chemical-resistant suit for spill response. Avoid all contact with water or moisture during handling.
Water reactivity: Dangerous when wet - reacts with water to produce flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously on contact with water or moist air.. Recommended extinguishing: Do not use water or foam. Use dry sand, soda ash, dry chemical, or dry dolomite for small fires. For large fires, withdraw and let burn..
ERG Guide 138 recommendation: ERG 138: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. Evacuate area if fire develops. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Eliminate all ignition sources and moisture.
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.