☣️ UN 3343 • CLASS 3
UN 3343 — Nitroglycerin mixture, desensitized, liquid, flammable, n.o.s., with not more than 30% nitroglycerin
Placard: Flammable. ERG Guide 113. 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 3343 Quick Details
UN 3343
Product name: Nitroglycerin mixture, desensitized, liquid, flammable, n.o.s., with not more than 30% nitroglycerin
DOT Class: 3
Placard type: Flammable
ERG Guide: 113 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 113: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation; CRITICAL: dried residue becomes shock-sensitive explosive
Common Hazards of UN 3343
- Flammable/combustible material.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- DRIED OUT material may explode if exposed to heat, flame, friction or shock; treat as an
- Keep material wet with water or treat as an explosive (GUIDE 112).
- Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Some are toxic and may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Specifically,
- Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Desensitized nitroglycerinNG mixtureNitroglycerin solutionGlyceryl trinitrate mixtureDiluted nitroglycerin |
| Appearance | Pale yellow to colorless oily liquid with a sweet, burning taste. Odorless or faint aromatic odor. Desensitized with suitable solvent or phlegmatizer to reduce explosive sensitivity. |
| Flash Point | Variable depending on diluent, typically <23C (<73F) for Class 3 flammable liquid |
| Boiling Point | 218C (424F) for pure nitroglycerin; mixture boiling point depends on diluent composition |
| Vapor Density | 7.6 (heavier than air) for nitroglycerin vapor; actual mixture varies with carrier solvent |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water, but nitroglycerin is slightly soluble; avoid evaporation of diluent which increases explosive hazard |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3343
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water fog for cooling only; avoid direct water streams that may disperse liquid
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required; full protective clothing; avoid all sources of ignition; treat as potential explosive if dried out or concentrated
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 113: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation; CRITICAL: dried residue becomes shock-sensitive explosive
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 113).
First Actions for a UN 3343 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 immediately for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
- Consider initial evacuation for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3343 — Nitroglycerin mixture, desensitized, liqHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3343
Product: Nitroglycerin mixture, desensitized, liquid, flammable, n.o.s., with not more than 30% nitroglycerin
Class 3 / Flammable / ERG 113
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full protective clothing; avoid all sources of ignition; treat as potential explosive if dried out or concentrated
ISOLATION: ERG 113: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation; CRITICAL: dried residue becomes shock-sensitive explosive
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 3343 — Nitroglycerin mixture, desensitized, liquid, flammable, n.o.s., with not more than 30% nitroglycerin
Class: 3 | Placard: Flammable | ERG Guide: 113
Appearance: Pale yellow to colorless oily liquid with a sweet, burning taste. Odorless or faint aromatic odor. Desensitized with suitable solvent or phlegmatizer to reduce explosive sensitivity.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water, but nitroglycerin is slightly soluble; avoid evaporation of diluent which increases explosive hazard
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water fog for cooling only; avoid direct water streams that may disperse liquid
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full protective clothing; avoid all sources of ignition; treat as potential explosive if dried out or concentrated
Isolation: ERG 113: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation; CRITICAL: dried residue becomes shock-sensitive explosive
— Key Hazards —
• Flammable/combustible material.
• May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
• DRIED OUT material may explode if exposed to heat, flame, friction or shock; treat as an
— 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/3343 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3343 Nitroglycerin mixture, desensitized, liquid, flammable, n.o.s., with not more than 30% nitroglycerin Cls3 ERG113 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3343SMS / 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/3343
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3343
Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. DRIED OUT material may explode if exposed to heat, flame, friction or shock; treat as an Keep material wet with water or treat as an explosive (GUIDE 112). Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Some are toxic and may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Specifically, Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
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 with SCBA required; full protective clothing; avoid all sources of ignition; treat as potential explosive if dried out or concentrated
Water reactivity: No significant reaction with water, but nitroglycerin is slightly soluble; avoid evaporation of diluent which increases explosive hazard. Recommended extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water fog for cooling only; avoid direct water streams that may disperse liquid.
ERG Guide 113 recommendation: ERG 113: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation; CRITICAL: dried residue becomes shock-sensitive explosive
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 113 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.