☣️ UN 3551 • CLASS 9
UN 3551 — Sodium ion batteries
Placard: Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous. ERG Guide 147. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
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⚠️ 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 3551 is Sodium ion batteries, assigned to ERG Guide 147. This entry should be verified with shipping papers, labels and the SDS before responders commit to close-range action.
Hazard overview: Sodium ion batteries can release flammable electrolyte and toxic smoke if damaged, overheated or involved in thermal runaway. Fire may spread from one cell or pack to nearby batteries or equipment.
Response guidance: Use ERG Guide 147, isolate damaged batteries, watch for thermal runaway and protect responders from smoke. Cool large fires from distance only under local SOP.
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UN 3551 Quick Details
UN 3551
Product name: Sodium ion batteries
DOT Class: 9
Placard type: Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous
ERG Guide: 147 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 147: Isolate spill/leak area immediately 25m in all directions; If fire involved, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation; Keep batteries separated to prevent thermal runaway propagation
Common Hazards of UN 3551
- 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.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Electrochemical energy storage devices containing sodium ions, typically cylindrical or prismatic cells/battery packs. Contains flammable liquid electrolyte and metallic components.
| Also known as | Na-ion batteriesSodium-ion cellsSodium secondary batteriesRechargeable sodium batteries |
| Appearance | Electrochemical energy storage devices containing sodium ions, typically cylindrical or prismatic cells/battery packs. Contains flammable liquid electrolyte and metallic components. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (battery device, but contains flammable electrolyte that may vent) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (battery device) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid device) |
| Water Reactivity | Avoid water on damaged or burning batteries; water may cause violent reactions with electrolyte and increase fire intensity |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3551
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand for small fires; Large quantities of water from distance for large fires to cool and prevent propagation
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA required in fire conditions; Face shield and thermal protection due to flare-burning potential; Avoid smoke and vapors from burning batteries
Level B minimum; SCBA required in fire conditions; Face shield and thermal protection due to flare-burning potential; Avoid smoke and vapors from burning batteries. Select final PPE using ERG guidance, SDS, monitoring and incident command.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 147: Isolate spill/leak area immediately 25m in all directions; If fire involved, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation; Keep batteries separated to prevent thermal runaway propagation
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 147).
First Actions for a UN 3551 Incident
- 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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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3551 — Sodium ion batteriesHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3551
Product: Sodium ion batteries
Class 9 / Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous / ERG 147
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required in fire conditions; Face shield and thermal protection due to flare-burning potential; Avoid smoke and vapors from burning batteries
ISOLATION: ERG 147: Isolate spill/leak area immediately 25m in all directions; If fire involved, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation; Keep batteries separated to prevent thermal runaway propagation
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 3551 — Sodium ion batteries
Class: 9 | Placard: Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous | ERG Guide: 147
Appearance: Electrochemical energy storage devices containing sodium ions, typically cylindrical or prismatic cells/battery packs. Contains flammable liquid electrolyte and metallic components.
Water Reactivity: Avoid water on damaged or burning batteries; water may cause violent reactions with electrolyte and increase fire intensity
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, dry sand for small fires; Large quantities of water from distance for large fires to cool and prevent propagation
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required in fire conditions; Face shield and thermal protection due to flare-burning potential; Avoid smoke and vapors from burning batteries
Isolation: ERG 147: Isolate spill/leak area immediately 25m in all directions; If fire involved, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation; Keep batteries separated to prevent thermal runaway propagation
— 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 —
• 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.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-ion-batteries-un-3551 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3551 Sodium ion batteries Cls9 ERG147 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-ion-batteries-un-3551SMS / 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/sodium-ion-batteries-un-3551
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3551
UN 3551 is Sodium ion batteries, assigned to ERG Guide 147.
ERG Guide 147 applies for initial isolation, protective actions and first response guidance.
Sodium ion batteries can release flammable electrolyte and toxic smoke if damaged, overheated or involved in thermal runaway.
Level B minimum; SCBA required in fire conditions; Face shield and thermal protection due to flare-burning potential; Avoid smoke and vapors from burning batteries.
ERG 147: Isolate spill/leak area immediately 25m in all directions; If fire involved, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation; Keep batteries separated to prevent thermal runaway propagation.
Water compatibility depends on the specific contents and incident conditions. Check ERG 147, SDS and incident command before applying water.
Verify shipping papers, container markings, SDS, package condition and whether contents are leaking, burning or exposed.
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.