☣️ UN 3249 • CLASS 6
UN 3249 — Medicine, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 151. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ 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.
Advertisement
UN 3249 Quick Details
UN 3249
Product name: Medicine, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 151 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 151: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; protective action distance 50m for small spills, 100m for large spills during day, increase at night
Common Hazards of UN 3249
- Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Avoid any skin contact.
- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Runoff may pollute waterways.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Poisonous pharmaceutical solidsToxic medicinal preparationsPharmaceutical toxic substancesMedicine solid toxic n.o.s. |
| Appearance | Varied solid forms including tablets, powders, or granules. Appearance varies widely depending on specific pharmaceutical compound; typically white, colored, or crystalline solids at room temperature with little to no odor. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (solid pharmaceutical preparations typically non-flammable) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (varies by specific active ingredient; many decompose before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | Generally no significant reaction with water, though dissolution may occur depending on formulation |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3249
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, water spray acceptable for surrounding fire; avoid direct contact with material
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum recommended; SCBA required in fire or confined spaces; chemical-resistant gloves and suit to prevent skin absorption; avoid any direct contact
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 151: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; protective action distance 50m for small spills, 100m for large spills during day, increase at night
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 151).
First Actions for a UN 3249 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.
- 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
Advertisement
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3249 — Medicine, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3249
Product: Medicine, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 151
PPE: Level B minimum recommended; SCBA required in fire or confined spaces; chemical-resistant gloves and suit to prevent skin absorption; avoid any direct contact
ISOLATION: ERG 151: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; protective action distance 50m for small spills, 100m for large spills during day, increase at night
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 3249 — Medicine, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 151
Appearance: Varied solid forms including tablets, powders, or granules. Appearance varies widely depending on specific pharmaceutical compound; typically white, colored, or crystalline solids at room temperature with little to no odor.
Water Reactivity: Generally no significant reaction with water, though dissolution may occur depending on formulation
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray acceptable for surrounding fire; avoid direct contact with material
PPE: Level B minimum recommended; SCBA required in fire or confined spaces; chemical-resistant gloves and suit to prevent skin absorption; avoid any direct contact
Isolation: ERG 151: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; protective action distance 50m for small spills, 100m for large spills during day, increase at night
— Key Hazards —
• Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Avoid any skin contact.
• Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
— 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.
• 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/3249 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3249 Medicine, solid, poisonous, n.o.s. Cls6 ERG151 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3249SMS / 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/3249
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3249
Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Avoid any skin contact. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways.
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 recommended; SCBA required in fire or confined spaces; chemical-resistant gloves and suit to prevent skin absorption; avoid any direct contact
Water reactivity: Generally no significant reaction with water, though dissolution may occur depending on formulation. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray acceptable for surrounding fire; avoid direct contact with material.
ERG Guide 151 recommendation: ERG 151: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; protective action distance 50m for small spills, 100m for large spills during day, increase at night
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 151 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.