☣️ UN 3496 • CLASS 9
UN 3496 — Batteries, nickel-metal hydride
Placard: Miscellaneous. ERG Guide 171. 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 3496 is Batteries, nickel-metal hydride, a Class 9 article assigned to ERG Guide 171. Main concerns are heat exposure, rupture, short circuit, electrolyte release and smoke from damaged units.
Hazard overview: Primary hazards include toxic exposure, fire or vapor ignition. Batteries, nickel-metal hydride may release irritating, toxic or corrosive vapors when heated, spilled or involved in fire, so avoid contact, inhalation and incompatible materials.
Response guidance: For a UN 3496 incident, establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind and uphill, keep unauthorized personnel away, verify shipping papers/SDS and follow ERG 171. Use extinguishing, cooling, containment and decontamination tactics only when compatible with the material and local SOP.
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UN 3496 Quick Details
UN 3496
Product name: Batteries, nickel-metal hydride
DOT Class: 9
Placard type: Miscellaneous
ERG Guide: 171 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 171: no evacuation distances listed for batteries; isolate damaged/leaking batteries 25m; if involved in fire treat as Class 9 material
Common Hazards of UN 3496
- Some may burn but none ignite readily.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Some may be transported hot.
- For UN3508, Capacitor, asymmetric, be aware of possible short circuiting as this product is transported
- Polymeric beads, expandable (UN2211) may evolve flammable vapours.
- Inhalation of material may be harmful.
- Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
- Inhalation of Asbestos dust may have a damaging effect on the lungs.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Sealed cylindrical or prismatic metal containers housing nickel hydroxide and metal hydride electrodes in alkaline electrolyte. Typically silver or blue-gray casing at ambient temperature.
| Also known as | NiMH batteriesNickel-metal hydride cellsRechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteriesNiMH power cells |
| Appearance | Sealed cylindrical or prismatic metal containers housing nickel hydroxide and metal hydride electrodes in alkaline electrolyte. Typically silver or blue-gray casing at ambient temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (sealed battery) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (sealed battery) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (sealed battery) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction under normal conditions; damaged batteries may release alkaline electrolyte (potassium hydroxide) which reacts with water |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3496
Extinguishing Media
CO2, dry chemical, water spray for cooling; avoid direct water contact with damaged batteries
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level D for intact batteries; chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection for damaged/leaking units; alkaline electrolyte is corrosive
Level D for intact batteries; chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection for damaged/leaking units; alkaline electrolyte is corrosive
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 171: no evacuation distances listed for batteries; isolate damaged/leaking batteries 25m; if involved in fire treat as Class 9 material
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 171).
First Actions for a UN 3496 Incident
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- 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 3496 — Batteries, nickel-metal hydrideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3496
Product: Batteries, nickel-metal hydride
Class 9 / Miscellaneous / ERG 171
PPE: Level D for intact batteries; chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection for damaged/leaking units; alkaline electrolyte is corrosive
ISOLATION: ERG 171: no evacuation distances listed for batteries; isolate damaged/leaking batteries 25m; if involved in fire treat as Class 9 material
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 3496 — Batteries, nickel-metal hydride
Class: 9 | Placard: Miscellaneous | ERG Guide: 171
Appearance: Sealed cylindrical or prismatic metal containers housing nickel hydroxide and metal hydride electrodes in alkaline electrolyte. Typically silver or blue-gray casing at ambient temperature.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction under normal conditions; damaged batteries may release alkaline electrolyte (potassium hydroxide) which reacts with water
Extinguishing: CO2, dry chemical, water spray for cooling; avoid direct water contact with damaged batteries
PPE: Level D for intact batteries; chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection for damaged/leaking units; alkaline electrolyte is corrosive
Isolation: ERG 171: no evacuation distances listed for batteries; isolate damaged/leaking batteries 25m; if involved in fire treat as Class 9 material
— Key Hazards —
• Some may burn but none ignite readily.
• Containers may explode when heated.
• Some may be transported hot.
— First Actions —
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• 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.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/batteries-nickel-metal-hydride-un-3496 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3496 Batteries, nickel-metal hydride Cls9 ERG171 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/batteries-nickel-metal-hydride-un-3496SMS / 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/batteries-nickel-metal-hydride-un-3496
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3496
UN 3496 is Batteries, nickel-metal hydride, assigned to ERG Guide 171.
ERG Guide 171 applies for initial isolation, protective actions and first response guidance.
Yes. Batteries, nickel-metal hydride can present a fire, combustion or vapor ignition hazard; keep it away from heat, sparks and flames.
Yes. Inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption or contaminated runoff may create serious health hazards.
Watch for heat, rupture, short circuit, electrolyte release, smoke and contaminated runoff from damaged units.
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.