☣️ UN 3557 • CLASS 9
Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered
Placard: Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous. 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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Quick details
UN 3557
Class: 9
Placard type: Lithium Battery / Miscellaneous
ERG: Guide 138 (check current ERG)
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
Chemical & Response Details
| 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. |
| 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 |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- 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
First actions (field-minded)
- 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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UN 3557 — Vehicle, lithium metal battery powered HAZMAT 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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FAQ
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
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.