☣️ UN 3186 • CLASS 4
UN 3186 — Self-heating liquid, inorganic, 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 3186 Quick Details
UN 3186
Product name: Self-heating liquid, inorganic, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Spontaneously Combustible
ERG Guide: 135 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car is involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in all directions
Common Hazards of UN 3186
- 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 inorganic NOSSelf-heating inorganic liquid not otherwise specifiedSpontaneously combustible inorganic liquid |
| Appearance | Varies widely depending on specific substance; typically a liquid at room temperature that may spontaneously ignite when exposed to air or moisture. Color and odor depend on the particular inorganic chemical. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (self-heating material) |
| Boiling Point | Varies by specific substance |
| Vapor Density | Varies by specific substance |
| Water Reactivity | May react with moisture or water, potentially causing ignition or violent reaction |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3186
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, sand, dry powder; avoid water-based agents if water-reactive
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit for splash protection; avoid contact with air or moisture during handling
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car is involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 135).
First Actions for a UN 3186 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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UN 3186 — Self-heating liquid, inorganic, n.o.s.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3186
Product: Self-heating liquid, inorganic, n.o.s.
Class 4 / Spontaneously Combustible / ERG 135
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit for splash protection; avoid contact with air or moisture during handling
ISOLATION: ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car is involved in fire, isolate 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 3186 — Self-heating liquid, inorganic, n.o.s.
Class: 4 | Placard: Spontaneously Combustible | ERG Guide: 135
Appearance: Varies widely depending on specific substance; typically a liquid at room temperature that may spontaneously ignite when exposed to air or moisture. Color and odor depend on the particular inorganic chemical.
Water Reactivity: May react with moisture or water, potentially causing ignition or violent reaction
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, sand, dry powder; avoid water-based agents if water-reactive
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit for splash protection; avoid contact with air or moisture during handling
Isolation: ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car is involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in 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/3186 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3186 Self-heating liquid, inorganic, n.o.s. Cls4 ERG135 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3186SMS / 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/3186
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3186
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; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit for splash protection; avoid contact with air or moisture during handling
Water reactivity: May react with moisture or water, potentially causing ignition or violent reaction. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, sand, dry powder; avoid water-based agents if water-reactive.
ERG Guide 135 recommendation: ERG 135: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; if tank/rail car is involved in fire, isolate 800 meters in 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.