☣️ 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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⚠️ 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 3557 is Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered, assigned to ERG Guide 138. This entry should be verified with shipping papers, labels and the SDS before responders commit to close-range action.
Hazard overview: Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered may involve lithium metal that can react with water or damaged cells. Fire, heat, crash damage or short circuiting may generate flammable gas, toxic smoke and re-ignition hazards.
Response guidance: Use ERG Guide 138, isolate the vehicle or battery pack, avoid direct contact with damaged cells and prepare for re-ignition, flammable gas and water-reactivity hazards.
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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
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.
| 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
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. Select final PPE using ERG guidance, SDS, monitoring and incident command.
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
- 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 —
• 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
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/vehicle-lithium-metal-battery-un-3557 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3557 Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered Cls9 ERG138 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/vehicle-lithium-metal-battery-un-3557SMS / 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/vehicle-lithium-metal-battery-un-3557
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3557
UN 3557 is Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered, assigned to ERG Guide 138.
ERG Guide 138 applies for initial isolation, protective actions and first response guidance.
Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered may involve lithium metal that can react with water or damaged cells.
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.
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.
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.