☣️ UN 3183 • CLASS 4
UN 3183 — Self-heating liquid, 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 3183 Quick Details
UN 3183
Product name: Self-heating liquid, organic, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG Guide: 135 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 135: isolate spill/leak area 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions
Common Hazards of UN 3183
- 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 liquid organicSpontaneously combustible liquid organicPyrophoric liquid organic |
| Appearance | Variable appearance depending on specific substance; typically a clear to colored liquid that may spontaneously ignite when exposed to air or moisture at ambient temperatures. |
| Flash Point | Variable, typically below 23C (73F) for self-heating materials |
| Boiling Point | Variable depending on specific organic compound |
| Vapor Density | Typically >1 (heavier than air) for most organic liquids |
| Water Reactivity | May react with moisture or water, potentially generating heat and flammable vapors; avoid water contact |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3183
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand; avoid water-based agents due to potential reactivity
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required; full fire turnout gear for firefighting; avoid skin contact
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 135: isolate spill/leak area 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 135).
First Actions for a UN 3183 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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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3183 — Self-heating liquid, organic, n.o.s.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3183
Product: Self-heating liquid, organic, n.o.s.
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 135
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full fire turnout gear for firefighting; avoid skin contact
ISOLATION: ERG 135: isolate spill/leak area 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m 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 3183 — Self-heating liquid, organic, n.o.s.
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 135
Appearance: Variable appearance depending on specific substance; typically a clear to colored liquid that may spontaneously ignite when exposed to air or moisture at ambient temperatures.
Water Reactivity: May react with moisture or water, potentially generating heat and flammable vapors; avoid water contact
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand; avoid water-based agents due to potential reactivity
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full fire turnout gear for firefighting; avoid skin contact
Isolation: ERG 135: isolate spill/leak area 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m 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/3183 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3183 Self-heating liquid, organic, n.o.s. Cls4 ERG135 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3183SMS / 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/3183
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3183
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 SCBA required; full fire turnout gear for firefighting; avoid skin contact
Water reactivity: May react with moisture or water, potentially generating heat and flammable vapors; avoid water contact. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand; avoid water-based agents due to potential reactivity.
ERG Guide 135 recommendation: ERG 135: isolate spill/leak area 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m 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.