☣️ UN 3549 • CLASS 6
UN 3549 — Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid
Placard: Infectious Substance. ERG Guide 158. 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 3549 is Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid, assigned to ERG Guide 158. This entry should be verified with shipping papers, labels and the SDS before responders commit to close-range action.
Hazard overview: Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid has article-specific hazards that depend on the contained material. Damaged articles, heat, pressure, smoke or exposed contents may increase risk.
Response guidance: Use ERG Guide 158, confirm the exact contents, isolate the area, keep unauthorized personnel away, control ignition sources and choose extinguishing agents based on the article or material involved.
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UN 3549 Quick Details
UN 3549
Product name: Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Infectious Substance
ERG Guide: 158 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away
Common Hazards of UN 3549
- Inhalation or contact with substance may cause infection, disease or death.
- Category A Infectious Substances (UN2814, UN2900 or UN3549) are more hazardous, or are in a more
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Damaged packages containing solid CO2 as a refrigerant may produce water or frost from condensation
- Contact with solid CO2 may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
- Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily.
- Some may be transported in flammable liquids.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Solid medical waste materials contaminated with Category A infectious substances affecting animals only. May include tissues, specimens, cultures, or contaminated items in various physical forms and colors.
| Also known as | Category A infectious waste affecting animalsRegulated medical waste UN3549Animal pathogen wasteVeterinary infectious wasteSolid biohazardous animal waste |
| Appearance | Solid medical waste materials contaminated with Category A infectious substances affecting animals only. May include tissues, specimens, cultures, or contaminated items in various physical forms and colors. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable infectious waste) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid waste mixture) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water, but runoff may cause biological contamination |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3549
Extinguishing Media
Not applicable; infectious material requires specialized handling, not fire suppression
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission
Level B minimum with SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission. Select final PPE using ERG guidance, SDS, monitoring and incident command.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 158).
First Actions for a UN 3549 Incident
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Consult the shipping paper to identify the substance involved.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3549 — Medical waste, category A, affecting aniHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3549
Product: Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid
Class 6 / Infectious Substance / ERG 158
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission
ISOLATION: ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away
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 3549 — Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid
Class: 6 | Placard: Infectious Substance | ERG Guide: 158
Appearance: Solid medical waste materials contaminated with Category A infectious substances affecting animals only. May include tissues, specimens, cultures, or contaminated items in various physical forms and colors.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water, but runoff may cause biological contamination
Extinguishing: Not applicable; infectious material requires specialized handling, not fire suppression
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission
Isolation: ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away
— Key Hazards —
• Inhalation or contact with substance may cause infection, disease or death.
• Category A Infectious Substances (UN2814, UN2900 or UN3549) are more hazardous, or are in a more
• Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
— First Actions —
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Consult the shipping paper to identify the substance involved.
• Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/medical-waste-category-a-un-3549 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3549 Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid Cls6 ERG158 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/medical-waste-category-a-un-3549SMS / 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/medical-waste-category-a-un-3549
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3549
UN 3549 is Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid, assigned to ERG Guide 158.
ERG Guide 158 applies for initial isolation, protective actions and first response guidance.
Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid has article-specific hazards that depend on the contained material.
Level B minimum with SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission.
ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away.
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.