☣️ UN 3320 • CLASS 8
UN 3320 — Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution, with not more than 12% sodium borohydride and not more than 40% sodium hydroxide
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 157. 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.
UN 3320 is an aqueous sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution. It is strongly caustic and can release flammable hydrogen, especially when heated or contaminated with acids.
Hazard overview: The solution can cause severe caustic burns. Reaction with acids or incompatible materials may release hydrogen gas and increase pressure or flammability risk.
Response guidance: Isolate the spill, ventilate, keep acids away, and prevent runoff. Use water spray, dry chemical, or CO2 as appropriate for surrounding fire, but avoid acidic extinguishing agents.
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UN 3320 Quick Details
UN 3320
Product name: Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution, with not more than 12% sodium borohydride and not more than 40% sodium hydroxide
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 157 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
Common Hazards of UN 3320
- 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.).
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Clear to pale yellow aqueous solution with a mild ammonia-like or acrid odor. Liquid at room temperature.
| 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 |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3320
Extinguishing Media
Water spray, dry chemical, CO2; avoid acids or acidic extinguishing agents
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots; SCBA or supplied air; full face shield; avoid all skin contact due to caustic nature
Level B minimum; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots; SCBA or supplied air; full face shield; avoid all skin contact due to caustic nature
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 157: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 157).
First Actions for a UN 3320 Incident
- 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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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3320 — Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxideHAZMAT 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 —
• 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
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-borohydride-and-sodium-un-3320 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
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/sodium-borohydride-and-sodium-un-3320SMS / 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/sodium-borohydride-and-sodium-un-3320
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3320
The solution is not normally flammable, but it can release flammable hydrogen gas.
It is strongly corrosive because of sodium hydroxide and can injure skin and eyes.
Keep acids and incompatible materials away because they can accelerate hydrogen release.
SCBA or supplied air, face shield, chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots are needed.
Water spray may be used for cooling or fire control, but prevent uncontrolled runoff and avoid acid contact.
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.