☣️ UN 3185 • CLASS 4
UN 3185 — Self-heating liquid, corrosive, organic, n.o.s.
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. ERG Guide 136. 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 3185 Quick Details
UN 3185
Product name: Self-heating liquid, corrosive, organic, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG Guide: 136 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 136: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; evacuate immediate area; if fire involves tank/rail car, isolate 800m and consider evacuation for 1600m in all directions
Common Hazards of UN 3185
- Extremely flammable; will ignite itself if exposed to air.
- Burns rapidly, releasing dense, white, irritating fumes.
- Substance may be transported in a molten form.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; ingestion of substance or inhalation of decomposition products will cause
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Self-heating corrosive liquidSpontaneously heating liquid corrosive organicPyrophoric corrosive liquid organic |
| Appearance | Variable appearance depending on specific substance; typically a liquid at ambient or elevated temperature that may spontaneously heat when exposed to air. Often corrosive with irritating properties. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (self-heating/pyrophoric material) |
| Boiling Point | Variable depending on specific chemical composition |
| Vapor Density | Variable, typically heavier than air |
| Water Reactivity | May react with water generating heat and corrosive vapors; use water with extreme caution |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3185
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand preferred; avoid water-based agents unless specifically compatible
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A or B required; full face SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit due to corrosive nature; avoid skin contact
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 136: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; evacuate immediate area; if fire involves tank/rail car, isolate 800m and consider evacuation for 1600m in all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 136).
First Actions for a UN 3185 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 3185 — Self-heating liquid, corrosive, organic,HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3185
Product: Self-heating liquid, corrosive, organic, n.o.s.
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 136
PPE: Level A or B required; full face SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit due to corrosive nature; avoid skin contact
ISOLATION: ERG 136: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; evacuate immediate area; if fire involves tank/rail car, isolate 800m and consider evacuation for 1600m 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 3185 — Self-heating liquid, corrosive, organic, n.o.s.
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 136
Appearance: Variable appearance depending on specific substance; typically a liquid at ambient or elevated temperature that may spontaneously heat when exposed to air. Often corrosive with irritating properties.
Water Reactivity: May react with water generating heat and corrosive vapors; use water with extreme caution
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand preferred; avoid water-based agents unless specifically compatible
PPE: Level A or B required; full face SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit due to corrosive nature; avoid skin contact
Isolation: ERG 136: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; evacuate immediate area; if fire involves tank/rail car, isolate 800m and consider evacuation for 1600m in all directions
— Key Hazards —
• Extremely flammable; will ignite itself if exposed to air.
• Burns rapidly, releasing dense, white, irritating fumes.
• Substance may be transported in a molten form.
— 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/3185 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3185 Self-heating liquid, corrosive, organic, n.o.s. Cls4 ERG136 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3185SMS / 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/3185
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3185
Extremely flammable; will ignite itself if exposed to air. Burns rapidly, releasing dense, white, irritating fumes. Substance may be transported in a molten form. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; ingestion of substance or inhalation of decomposition products will cause
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 A or B required; full face SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit due to corrosive nature; avoid skin contact
Water reactivity: May react with water generating heat and corrosive vapors; use water with extreme caution. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand preferred; avoid water-based agents unless specifically compatible.
ERG Guide 136 recommendation: ERG 136: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; evacuate immediate area; if fire involves tank/rail car, isolate 800m and consider evacuation for 1600m in all directions
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 136 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.