☣️ UN 3557 • CLASS 9
UN 3557 — Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered
Placard: Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous. ERG Guide 138. 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 3557 Quick Details
UN 3557
Product name: Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered
DOT Class: 9
Placard type: Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous
ERG Guide: 138 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 138: isolate spill/leak 25m all directions; if fire/large spill isolate 800m all directions; evacuate downwind areas if gas cloud forms from water reaction
Common Hazards of UN 3557
- Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
- May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
- Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Some are transported in highly flammable liquids.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Lithium metal battery powered vehicleLithium battery vehicleElectric vehicle with lithium metal batteriesBattery electric vehicle (lithium metal)Vehicle powered by lithium batteries |
| Appearance | Complete vehicle or vehicle component powered by lithium metal batteries. Appearance varies based on vehicle type; batteries contain metallic lithium which is silver-white and highly reactive. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (batteries contain reactive metal, not flammable liquid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid metal battery system) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid article) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat; may ignite spontaneously. Do not use water on lithium metal fires. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3557
Extinguishing Media
Dry sand, dry chemical (Class D), copper powder, or graphite powder; never use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents on lithium metal fires
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum for battery damage/fire; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit if battery breach suspected; face shield and heavy gloves for handling damaged batteries
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 138: isolate spill/leak 25m all directions; if fire/large spill isolate 800m all directions; evacuate downwind areas if gas cloud forms from water reaction
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 138).
First Actions for a UN 3557 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
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3557 — Vehicle, lithium metal battery poweredHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3557
Product: Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered
Class 9 / Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum for battery damage/fire; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit if battery breach suspected; face shield and heavy gloves for handling damaged batteries
ISOLATION: ERG 138: isolate spill/leak 25m all directions; if fire/large spill isolate 800m all directions; evacuate downwind areas if gas cloud forms from water reaction
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 3557 — Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered
Class: 9 | Placard: Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: Complete vehicle or vehicle component powered by lithium metal batteries. Appearance varies based on vehicle type; batteries contain metallic lithium which is silver-white and highly reactive.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat; may ignite spontaneously. Do not use water on lithium metal fires.
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical (Class D), copper powder, or graphite powder; never use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents on lithium metal fires
PPE: Level B minimum for battery damage/fire; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit if battery breach suspected; face shield and heavy gloves for handling damaged batteries
Isolation: ERG 138: isolate spill/leak 25m all directions; if fire/large spill isolate 800m all directions; evacuate downwind areas if gas cloud forms from water reaction
— Key Hazards —
• Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
• May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
• Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
— 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/3557 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3557 Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered Cls9 ERG138 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3557SMS / 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/3557
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3557
Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury
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 for battery damage/fire; SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit if battery breach suspected; face shield and heavy gloves for handling damaged batteries
Water reactivity: Reacts violently with water producing flammable hydrogen gas and heat; may ignite spontaneously. Do not use water on lithium metal fires.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical (Class D), copper powder, or graphite powder; never use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents on lithium metal fires.
ERG Guide 138 recommendation: ERG 138: isolate spill/leak 25m all directions; if fire/large spill isolate 800m all directions; evacuate downwind areas if gas cloud forms from water reaction
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 138 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.