☣️ UN 3481 • CLASS 9
Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment (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 3481
Class: 9
Placard type: Miscellaneous
ERG: Guide 147 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 147: isolate 25m in all directions; if fire or damaged batteries with thermal runaway, isolate 800m and consider evacuation; contain runoff; batteries may reignite after fire appears extinguished
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Li-ion batteriesLithium polymer batteriesLiPo batteriesRechargeable lithium batteriesLithium-ion battery packs |
| Appearance | Solid devices containing metallic lithium or lithium compounds with flammable liquid electrolyte sealed in metal or polymer casings. Typically rectangular, cylindrical, or pouch-shaped cells housed in equipment. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (electrolyte contained within sealed cells, typically -40C if released) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (electrolyte mixture approximately 80-150C if released) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (sealed solid device) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction when intact; damaged or overheated batteries may release flammable electrolyte vapors that react with water |
| Extinguishing | CO2, dry chemical, dry sand for small fires; copious water for cooling in large fires; do not use water on burning lithium metal |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA; thermal protective gear for fire response; eye and face protection for battery handling; ventilation required for thermal runaway events |
| Isolation | ERG 147: isolate 25m in all directions; if fire or damaged batteries with thermal runaway, isolate 800m and consider evacuation; contain runoff; batteries may reignite after fire appears extinguished |
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 3481 — Lithium ion batteries contained in equip HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3481
Product: Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment (including lithium ion polymer batteries)
Class 9 / Miscellaneous / ERG 147
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; thermal protective gear for fire response; eye and face protection for battery handling; ventilation required for thermal runaway events
ISOLATION: ERG 147: isolate 25m in all directions; if fire or damaged batteries with thermal runaway, isolate 800m and consider evacuation; contain runoff; batteries may reignite after fire appears extinguished
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 3481 — Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment (including lithium ion polymer batteries)
Class: 9 | Placard: Miscellaneous | ERG Guide: 147
Appearance: Solid devices containing metallic lithium or lithium compounds with flammable liquid electrolyte sealed in metal or polymer casings. Typically rectangular, cylindrical, or pouch-shaped cells housed in equipment.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction when intact; damaged or overheated batteries may release flammable electrolyte vapors that react with water
Extinguishing: CO2, dry chemical, dry sand for small fires; copious water for cooling in large fires; do not use water on burning lithium metal
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; thermal protective gear for fire response; eye and face protection for battery handling; ventilation required for thermal runaway events
Isolation: ERG 147: isolate 25m in all directions; if fire or damaged batteries with thermal runaway, isolate 800m and consider evacuation; contain runoff; batteries may reignite after fire appears extinguished
— 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/3481 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3481 Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment (including lithium ion polymer batteries) Cls9 ERG147 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3481SMS / 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/3481
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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 B minimum with SCBA; thermal protective gear for fire response; eye and face protection for battery handling; ventilation required for thermal runaway events
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.