☣️ UN 3277 • CLASS 6
UN 3277 — Chloroformates, poisonous, corrosive, n.o.s.
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 154. 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 3277 Quick Details
UN 3277
Product name: Chloroformates, poisonous, corrosive, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 154 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 154: Initially isolate 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions
Common Hazards of UN 3277
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
- 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
- Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Chloroformate estersChlorocarbonic acid estersChloroformiate compoundsCarbonic chloride esters |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquids with pungent, acrid odor. Corrosive and toxic liquids that may fume in moist air. |
| Flash Point | Varies by specific chloroformate; typically -7°C to 16°C (19°F to 61°F), highly flammable |
| Boiling Point | Varies by specific chloroformate; typically 50°C to 130°C (122°F to 266°F) |
| Vapor Density | Greater than 1 (heavier than air); vapors will accumulate in low areas |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water to release toxic and corrosive HCl gas; hydrolyzes readily in moisture |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3277
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical; water may cause violent reaction and toxic gas release
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required for spill response; SCBA mandatory; butyl rubber or Viton gloves; full chemical-resistant suit
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 154: Initially isolate 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 154).
First Actions for a UN 3277 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
- 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 3277 — Chloroformates, poisonous, corrosive, n.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3277
Product: Chloroformates, poisonous, corrosive, n.o.s.
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 154
PPE: Level A required for spill response; SCBA mandatory; butyl rubber or Viton gloves; full chemical-resistant suit
ISOLATION: ERG 154: Initially isolate 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m 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 3277 — Chloroformates, poisonous, corrosive, n.o.s.
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 154
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquids with pungent, acrid odor. Corrosive and toxic liquids that may fume in moist air.
Water Reactivity: Reacts with water to release toxic and corrosive HCl gas; hydrolyzes readily in moisture
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical; water may cause violent reaction and toxic gas release
PPE: Level A required for spill response; SCBA mandatory; butyl rubber or Viton gloves; full chemical-resistant suit
Isolation: ERG 154: Initially isolate 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
• Avoid any skin contact.
— 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/3277 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3277 Chloroformates, poisonous, corrosive, n.o.s. Cls6 ERG154 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3277SMS / 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/3277
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3277
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. 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 Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
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 A required for spill response; SCBA mandatory; butyl rubber or Viton gloves; full chemical-resistant suit
Water reactivity: Reacts with water to release toxic and corrosive HCl gas; hydrolyzes readily in moisture. Recommended extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical; water may cause violent reaction and toxic gas release.
ERG Guide 154 recommendation: ERG 154: Initially isolate 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 154 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.