☣️ UN 3171 • CLASS 9
UN 3171 — Battery-powered equipment (with lithium metal 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 3171 Quick Details
UN 3171
Product name: Battery-powered equipment (with lithium metal 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 25-50 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation for 800 meters in all directions.
Common Hazards of UN 3171
- 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 | Equipment powered by lithium metal batteriesLithium battery powered devicesLithium metal battery equipmentBattery-operated equipment (lithium metal) |
| Appearance | Varies widely depending on the equipment type. Contains lithium metal batteries which are solid metallic cells typically enclosed in protective housing. Lithium metal is a soft, silver-white metal that can react with moisture. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (manufactured article with reactive metal batteries) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (manufactured article) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid article) |
| Water Reactivity | Lithium metal reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. Damaged or exposed batteries may ignite on contact with water or moist air. Keep dry at all times. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3171
Extinguishing Media
Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash, or dry clay for exposed lithium. DO NOT use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents on lithium fires. Copper powder or graphite may be effective.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum for intact batteries; Level A if batteries are damaged or leaking. SCBA required. Chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing to prevent contact with damaged cells.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation for 800 meters in all directions.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 138).
First Actions for a UN 3171 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 3171 — Battery-powered equipment (with lithiumHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3171
Product: Battery-powered equipment (with lithium metal batteries)
Class 9 / Miscellaneous / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum for intact batteries; Level A if batteries are damaged or leaking. SCBA required. Chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing to prevent contact with damaged cells.
ISOLATION: ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation for 800 meters 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 3171 — Battery-powered equipment (with lithium metal batteries)
Class: 9 | Placard: Miscellaneous | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Varies widely depending on the equipment type. Contains lithium metal batteries which are solid metallic cells typically enclosed in protective housing. Lithium metal is a soft, silver-white metal that can react with moisture.
Water Reactivity: Lithium metal reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. Damaged or exposed batteries may ignite on contact with water or moist air. Keep dry at all times.
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash, or dry clay for exposed lithium. DO NOT use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents on lithium fires. Copper powder or graphite may be effective.
PPE: Level B minimum for intact batteries; Level A if batteries are damaged or leaking. SCBA required. Chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing to prevent contact with damaged cells.
Isolation: ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation for 800 meters in all directions.
— 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/3171 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3171 Battery-powered equipment (with lithium metal batteries) Cls9 ERG138 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3171SMS / 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/3171
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3171
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 if batteries are damaged or leaking. SCBA required. Chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing to prevent contact with damaged cells.
Water reactivity: Lithium metal reacts vigorously with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. Damaged or exposed batteries may ignite on contact with water or moist air. Keep dry at all times.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash, or dry clay for exposed lithium. DO NOT use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents on lithium fires. Copper powder or graphite may be effective..
ERG Guide 138 recommendation: ERG 138: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions. If fire involved, isolate 800 meters in all directions and consider evacuation for 800 meters in all directions.
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.