☣️ UN 1397 • CLASS 4
UN 1397 — Aluminum phosphide
Placard: Dangerous When Wet. ERG Guide 139. 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.
Aluminum phosphide is a highly reactive substance that can produce highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas when exposed to water or moisture. It is essential to handle this material with extreme caution.
Hazard overview: Aluminum phosphide can produce flammable and toxic gases on contact with water, and may ignite on contact with water or moist air. This can lead to violent reactions and fires.
Response guidance: In the event of a spill, isolate the area immediately and keep it dry. For fires or water contact, evacuate the area downwind due to the toxic phosphine gas.
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UN 1397 Quick Details
UN 1397
Product name: Aluminum phosphide
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Dangerous When Wet
ERG Guide: 139 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 139: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if fire or water contact, evacuate 800m downwind due to toxic phosphine gas
Common Hazards of UN 1397
- Produce flammable and toxic 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.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Aluminum phosphide is a dark gray or dark yellow crystalline solid with a faint garlic-like or acetylene odor when exposed to moist air.
| Also known as | PhostoxinAlPAluminum monophosphideCelphosFumitoxin |
| CAS Number | 20859-73-8 |
| Appearance | Dark gray or dark yellow crystalline solid with a faint garlic-like or acetylene odor when exposed to moist air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (reacts with water to produce flammable phosphine gas) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid; produces phosphine gas with vapor density 1.2) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water and moisture to produce highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas (PH3); keep absolutely dry |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1397
Extinguishing Media
Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash; NO WATER or foam in any form
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A recommended; SCBA mandatory; full encapsulation if phosphine gas present; avoid all moisture contact
Wear Level A recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full encapsulation if phosphine gas is present, and avoid all moisture contact.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 139: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if fire or water contact, evacuate 800m downwind due to toxic phosphine gas
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 139).
First Actions for a UN 1397 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
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1397 — Aluminum phosphideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1397
Product: Aluminum phosphide
Class 4 / Dangerous When Wet / ERG 139
PPE: Level A recommended; SCBA mandatory; full encapsulation if phosphine gas present; avoid all moisture contact
ISOLATION: ERG 139: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if fire or water contact, evacuate 800m downwind due to toxic phosphine gas
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 1397 — Aluminum phosphide
Class: 4 | Placard: Dangerous When Wet | ERG Guide: 139
Appearance: Dark gray or dark yellow crystalline solid with a faint garlic-like or acetylene odor when exposed to moist air.
Water Reactivity: Reacts violently with water and moisture to produce highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas (PH3); keep absolutely dry
Extinguishing: Dry sand, dry chemical, soda ash; NO WATER or foam in any form
PPE: Level A recommended; SCBA mandatory; full encapsulation if phosphine gas present; avoid all moisture contact
Isolation: ERG 139: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; if fire or water contact, evacuate 800m downwind due to toxic phosphine gas
— Key Hazards —
• Produce flammable and toxic 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/aluminum-phosphide-un-1397 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN1397 Aluminum phosphide Cls4 ERG139 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/aluminum-phosphide-un-1397SMS / 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/aluminum-phosphide-un-1397
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1397
Yes, aluminum phosphide can produce highly toxic phosphine gas when exposed to water or moisture.
No, do not use water or foam to extinguish a fire involving aluminum phosphide.
Isolate the spill area immediately and keep it dry.
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.