☣️ UN 3480 • CLASS 9
Lithium ion batteries (including lithium ion polymer batteries)
Placard: Miscellaneous. 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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Quick details
UN 3480
Class: 9
Placard type: Miscellaneous
ERG: Guide 147 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 147: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; if fire or venting, isolate 800m and consider evacuation
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Li-ion batterieslithium polymer batteriesLiPo batteriesrechargeable lithium batterieslithium-ion cells |
| Appearance | Solid metallic or plastic-cased battery units containing lithium metal oxide cathode, carbon anode, and organic liquid electrolyte. Typically gray, black, or silver casings at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (electrolyte typically -40C to 0C but sealed in battery) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (electrolyte mixture typically 80-150C but sealed) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid battery unit) |
| Water Reactivity | Electrolyte reacts with water if battery is damaged or breached; intact batteries have minimal water reactivity |
| Extinguishing | Dry chemical, CO2, sand, or lithium-specific extinguishing agents; water in large quantities may be used for cooling intact batteries but avoid damaged cells |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level C minimum for intact batteries; Level B with SCBA if thermal runaway, fire, or venting occurs; heat-resistant gloves recommended |
| Isolation | ERG 147: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; if fire or venting, isolate 800m and consider evacuation |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- Lithium ion and sodium ion batteries contain flammable liquid electrolyte that may vent, ignite and
- May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
- May ignite other batteries in close proximity.
- Contact with battery electrolyte may be irritating to skin, eyes and mucous membranes.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Burning batteries may produce toxic hydrogen fluoride gas (see GUIDE 125).
- Fumes may cause dizziness or asphyxiation.
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 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
- Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
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UN 3480 — Lithium ion batteries (including lithium HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3480
Product: Lithium ion batteries (including lithium ion polymer batteries)
Class 9 / Miscellaneous / ERG 147
PPE: Level C minimum for intact batteries; Level B with SCBA if thermal runaway, fire, or venting occurs; heat-resistant gloves recommended
ISOLATION: ERG 147: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; if fire or venting, 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 3480 — Lithium ion batteries (including lithium ion polymer batteries)
Class: 9 | Placard: Miscellaneous | ERG Guide: 147
Appearance: Solid metallic or plastic-cased battery units containing lithium metal oxide cathode, carbon anode, and organic liquid electrolyte. Typically gray, black, or silver casings at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Electrolyte reacts with water if battery is damaged or breached; intact batteries have minimal water reactivity
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, sand, or lithium-specific extinguishing agents; water in large quantities may be used for cooling intact batteries but avoid damaged cells
PPE: Level C minimum for intact batteries; Level B with SCBA if thermal runaway, fire, or venting occurs; heat-resistant gloves recommended
Isolation: ERG 147: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25m in all directions; if fire or venting, isolate 800m and consider evacuation
— Key Hazards —
• Lithium ion and sodium ion batteries contain flammable liquid electrolyte that may vent, ignite and
• May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
• May ignite other batteries in close proximity.
— 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/3480 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3480 Lithium ion batteries (including lithium ion polymer batteries) Cls9 ERG147 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3480SMS / 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/3480
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FAQ
Lithium ion and sodium ion batteries contain flammable liquid electrolyte that may vent, ignite and May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. May ignite other batteries in close proximity. Contact with battery electrolyte may be irritating to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Burning batteries may produce toxic hydrogen fluoride gas (see GUIDE 125). Fumes may cause dizziness or asphyxiation.
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 C minimum for intact batteries; Level B with SCBA if thermal runaway, fire, or venting occurs; heat-resistant gloves recommended
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 147 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.