☣️ UN 3292 • CLASS 4
UN 3292 — Batteries, containing metallic sodium or sodium alloy
Placard: Dangerous When Wet. ERG Guide 138. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ Verification required:
Broad or variable material category; verify exact product, SDS and shipping papers.
⚠️ 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.
Batteries, containing metallic sodium or sodium alloy contains metallic sodium or sodium alloy inside battery assemblies. A breached unit must be treated as dangerous when wet and highly reactive.
Hazard overview: Metallic sodium reacts violently with water or moisture, producing heat and flammable hydrogen gas. Damaged cells may ignite, re-ignite or release corrosive reaction products.
Response guidance: Keep the battery dry, isolate the area and do not use water, foam, CO2 or halogenated agents on exposed sodium. Use dry powder, dry sand or soda ash only when trained and equipped.
Advertisement
UN 3292 Quick Details
UN 3292
Product name: Batteries, containing metallic sodium or sodium alloy
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Dangerous When Wet
ERG Guide: 138 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 138: Initial isolation 50m in all directions. Protective action distance: 0.3 km (0.2 mi) for large spills during day, 0.8 km (0.5 mi) at night. If fire or leak, isolate 800m and consider evacuation.
Common Hazards of UN 3292
- Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
- May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
- Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Some are transported in highly flammable liquids.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Battery assemblies containing elemental sodium or sodium alloy as an active component. Metallic sodium is a soft, silvery-white metal that tarnishes rapidly in air.
| Also known as | Sodium batteriesSodium-metal batteriesNa-metal cellsMetallic sodium battery packs |
| Appearance | Battery assemblies containing elemental sodium or sodium alloy as an active component. Metallic sodium is a soft, silvery-white metal that tarnishes rapidly in air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (reactive metal, ignites on contact with water) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (sealed battery unit) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid/battery assembly) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Do not use water for extinguishment. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3292
Extinguishing Media
Dry powder (sodium chloride/carbonate-based), dry sand, soda ash. NO water, NO foam, NO CO2, NO halogenated agents.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with full face SCBA. Chemical-resistant suit required. Avoid all contact with battery contents if breached.
Level B minimum with full face SCBA. Chemical-resistant suit required. Avoid all contact with battery contents if breached.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 138: Initial isolation 50m in all directions. Protective action distance: 0.3 km (0.2 mi) for large spills during day, 0.8 km (0.5 mi) at night. If fire or leak, isolate 800m and consider evacuation.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 138).
First Actions for a UN 3292 Incident
- CALL 911, then contact the emergency response telephone number shown on shipping papers, if available.
- 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.
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
Advertisement
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3292 — Batteries, containing metallic sodium orHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3292
Product: Batteries, containing metallic sodium or sodium alloy
Class 4 / Dangerous When Wet / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum with full face SCBA. Chemical-resistant suit required. Avoid all contact with battery contents if breached.
ISOLATION: ERG 138: Initial isolation 50m in all directions. Protective action distance: 0.3 km (0.2 mi) for large spills during day, 0.8 km (0.5 mi) at night. If fire or leak, isolate 800m and consider evacuation.
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 3292 — Batteries, containing metallic sodium or sodium alloy
Class: 4 | Placard: Dangerous When Wet | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Battery assemblies containing elemental sodium or sodium alloy as an active component. Metallic sodium is a soft, silvery-white metal that tarnishes rapidly in air.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Do not use water for extinguishment.
Extinguishing: Dry powder (sodium chloride/carbonate-based), dry sand, soda ash. NO water, NO foam, NO CO2, NO halogenated agents.
PPE: Level B minimum with full face SCBA. Chemical-resistant suit required. Avoid all contact with battery contents if breached.
Isolation: ERG 138: Initial isolation 50m in all directions. Protective action distance: 0.3 km (0.2 mi) for large spills during day, 0.8 km (0.5 mi) at night. If fire or leak, isolate 800m and consider evacuation.
— Key Hazards —
• Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
• May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
• Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911, then contact the emergency response telephone number shown on shipping papers, if available.
• 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/batteries-containing-metallic-sodium-un-3292 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3292 Batteries, containing metallic sodium or sodium alloy Cls4 ERG138 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/batteries-containing-metallic-sodium-un-3292SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/batteries-containing-metallic-sodium-un-3292
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3292
UN 3292 is Batteries, containing metallic sodium or sodium alloy, assigned to ERG Guide 138 and placarded as Dangerous When Wet.
Breached sodium batteries can expose metallic sodium, which reacts violently with water and may generate flammable hydrogen gas.
Use caution. Reacts violently with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat. May ignite spontaneously. Do not use water for extinguishment
Dry powder (sodium chloride/carbonate-based), dry sand, soda ash. NO water, NO foam, NO CO2, NO halogenated agents.
Level B minimum with full face SCBA. Chemical-resistant suit required. Avoid all contact with battery contents if breached.
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.