☣️ UN 3320 • CLASS 8
Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution, with not more than 12% sodium borohydride and not more than 40% sodium hydroxide
Placard: Corrosive. 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 3320
Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG: Guide 157 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Sodium borohydride-sodium hydroxide solutionNaBH4-NaOH solutionSodium tetrahydroborate-caustic soda solutionBorohydride stabilized solution |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow aqueous solution with a mild ammonia-like or acrid odor. Liquid at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (aqueous solution, non-flammable under normal conditions) |
| Boiling Point | Approximately 100-110°C (212-230°F), varies with concentration |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (aqueous solution, minimal vapor pressure) |
| Water Reactivity | Already in aqueous solution; reacts slowly with water releasing hydrogen gas; reaction accelerated by heat, acids, or moisture |
| Extinguishing | Water spray, dry chemical, CO2; avoid acids or acidic extinguishing agents |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots; SCBA or supplied air; full face shield; avoid all skin contact due to caustic nature |
| Isolation | ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
- Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
- Fire will 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
- UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above
- Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
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 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
UN 3320 — Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3320
Product: Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution, with not more than 12% sodium borohydride and not more than 40% sodium hydroxide
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 157
PPE: Level B minimum; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots; SCBA or supplied air; full face shield; avoid all skin contact due to caustic nature
ISOLATION: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
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 3320 — Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution, with not more than 12% sodium borohydride and not more than 40% sodium hydroxide
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow aqueous solution with a mild ammonia-like or acrid odor. Liquid at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Already in aqueous solution; reacts slowly with water releasing hydrogen gas; reaction accelerated by heat, acids, or moisture
Extinguishing: Water spray, dry chemical, CO2; avoid acids or acidic extinguishing agents
PPE: Level B minimum; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots; SCBA or supplied air; full face shield; avoid all skin contact due to caustic nature
Isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
• Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
• Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
— 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/3320 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3320 Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution, with not more than 12% sodium borohydride and not more than 40% sodium hydroxide Cls8 ERG157 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3320SMS / 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/3320
Advertisement
FAQ
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will 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 UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
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; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots; SCBA or supplied air; full face shield; avoid all skin contact due to caustic nature
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 157 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.