☣️ UN 3294 • CLASS 6
Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide
Placard: Toxic. 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
Quick details
UN 3294
Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG: Guide 131 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 131: isolate spill 25-50m; initial evacuation 100m all directions; large spill may require 300-800m downwind evacuation due to extreme toxicity
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | HCN in alcoholAlcoholic hydrogen cyanide solutionHydrocyanic acid in ethanolCyanide solutionPrussic acid in alcohol |
| CAS Number | 74-90-8 |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow liquid with a faint bitter almond odor (not detectable by all individuals). Highly volatile and miscible with alcohol and water. |
| Flash Point | Approximately -18C (0F) due to alcohol content |
| Boiling Point | Variable depending on alcohol concentration, typically 26-78C (79-172F) |
| Vapor Density | 0.9 (lighter than air for HCN vapor) |
| Water Reactivity | Miscible with water; no violent reaction but releases toxic HCN vapor |
| Extinguishing | Alcohol-resistant foam (AR-AFFF), CO2, dry chemical; water spray to reduce vapors |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level A required; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard |
| Isolation | ERG 131: isolate spill 25-50m; initial evacuation 100m all directions; large spill may require 300-800m downwind evacuation due to extreme toxicity |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes.
- Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
First actions (field-minded)
- 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 for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
- 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
UN 3294 — Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, w HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3294
Product: Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 131
PPE: Level A required; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard
ISOLATION: ERG 131: isolate spill 25-50m; initial evacuation 100m all directions; large spill may require 300-800m downwind evacuation due to extreme toxicity
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 3294 — Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 131
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow liquid with a faint bitter almond odor (not detectable by all individuals). Highly volatile and miscible with alcohol and water.
Water Reactivity: Miscible with water; no violent reaction but releases toxic HCN vapor
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam (AR-AFFF), CO2, dry chemical; water spray to reduce vapors
PPE: Level A required; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard
Isolation: ERG 131: isolate spill 25-50m; initial evacuation 100m all directions; large spill may require 300-800m downwind evacuation due to extreme toxicity
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes.
• Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
— 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/3294 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3294 Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide Cls6 ERG131 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3294SMS / 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/3294
Advertisement
FAQ
TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes. Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears). Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
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; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 131 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.