☣️ UN 3490 • CLASS 6
UN 3490 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, water-reactive, flammable, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 155. 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 3490 Quick Details
UN 3490
Product name: Poisonous by inhalation liquid, water-reactive, flammable, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 155 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 155: Initial isolation 100m all directions; protect persons downwind; evacuate spill area immediately; Zone A inhalation hazard requires large-scale evacuation
Common Hazards of UN 3490
- HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- Vapors form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards.
- Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
- Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
- Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
- Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff.
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
- Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | PIH liquid water-reactive flammableToxic inhalation hazard liquid (water-reactive, flammable)TIH Zone A water-reactive flammable liquidPoisonous liquid n.o.s. (water-reactive/flammable) |
| Appearance | Varies by specific substance; typically a liquid at room temperature with vapors heavier than air. May have distinct chemical odor depending on actual material. |
| Flash Point | Below 23C (73F) - highly flammable liquid |
| Boiling Point | Varies by specific substance - consult SDS for exact material |
| Vapor Density | Greater than 1 (heavier than air) - vapors accumulate in low areas |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water releasing flammable and/or toxic gases - avoid water contact |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3490
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand recommended; avoid water-based agents due to reactivity
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required for Zone A inhalation hazard; positive pressure SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating chemical protective suit
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 155: Initial isolation 100m all directions; protect persons downwind; evacuate spill area immediately; Zone A inhalation hazard requires large-scale evacuation
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 155).
First Actions for a UN 3490 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 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 3490 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, water-reHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3490
Product: Poisonous by inhalation liquid, water-reactive, flammable, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 155
PPE: Level A required for Zone A inhalation hazard; positive pressure SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating chemical protective suit
ISOLATION: ERG 155: Initial isolation 100m all directions; protect persons downwind; evacuate spill area immediately; Zone A inhalation hazard requires large-scale 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 3490 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, water-reactive, flammable, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 155
Appearance: Varies by specific substance; typically a liquid at room temperature with vapors heavier than air. May have distinct chemical odor depending on actual material.
Water Reactivity: Reacts with water releasing flammable and/or toxic gases - avoid water contact
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand recommended; avoid water-based agents due to reactivity
PPE: Level A required for Zone A inhalation hazard; positive pressure SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating chemical protective suit
Isolation: ERG 155: Initial isolation 100m all directions; protect persons downwind; evacuate spill area immediately; Zone A inhalation hazard requires large-scale evacuation
— Key Hazards —
• HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
• Vapors form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards.
• Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
— 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/3490 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3490 Poisonous by inhalation liquid, water-reactive, flammable, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A) Cls6 ERG155 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3490SMS / 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/3490
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3490
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
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 A required for Zone A inhalation hazard; positive pressure SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating chemical protective suit
Water reactivity: Reacts with water releasing flammable and/or toxic gases - avoid water contact. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand recommended; avoid water-based agents due to reactivity.
ERG Guide 155 recommendation: ERG 155: Initial isolation 100m all directions; protect persons downwind; evacuate spill area immediately; Zone A inhalation hazard requires large-scale evacuation
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 155 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.