☣️ UN 3477 • CLASS 8
UN 3477 — Fuel cell cartridges contained in equipment, containing corrosive substances
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 153. 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 3477 covers fuel cell cartridges contained in equipment when the cartridge contains corrosive substances or corrosive electrolyte.
Hazard overview: The main hazard is leakage of acidic or alkaline electrolyte. Contact can cause burns, and fire may produce irritating or toxic decomposition products.
Response guidance: Treat intact equipment as lower risk, but isolate damaged or leaking cartridges. Avoid contact with electrolyte and use dry chemical, CO2, or water spray for surrounding fire.
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UN 3477 Quick Details
UN 3477
Product name: Fuel cell cartridges contained in equipment, containing corrosive substances
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 153 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 153: Small spill isolate 25m all directions; large spill/fire isolate 50m, consider evacuation 300m downwind
Common Hazards of UN 3477
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
- Avoid any skin contact.
- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental contamination.
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Fuel cell cartridges are typically plastic or metal assemblies containing liquid or gel corrosive electrolyte, which can be alkaline or acidic in nature.
| Also known as | Fuel cell cartridge assembliesCorrosive fuel cell devicesFuel cell power units with corrosive electrolytePortable fuel cell cartridges |
| Appearance | Sealed cartridge devices containing liquid or gel corrosive electrolyte (typically alkaline or acidic solutions). Physical state varies by design; cartridges are typically plastic or metal assemblies at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (sealed device containing corrosive electrolyte) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (sealed device; electrolyte properties vary) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (sealed solid device) |
| Water Reactivity | Electrolyte may be alkaline (corrosive) or acidic (corrosive); avoid contact with leaking contents |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3477
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, water spray for fire control; avoid direct contact with leaked corrosive electrolyte
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level C minimum for intact cartridges; Level B with SCBA if leaking or damaged with vapor release; chemical-resistant gloves and face shield required
Level C may be enough for intact cartridges; use Level B with SCBA, chemical-resistant gloves, face shield, and splash protection if damaged or leaking.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 153: Small spill isolate 25m all directions; large spill/fire isolate 50m, consider evacuation 300m downwind
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 153).
First Actions for a UN 3477 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate the spill or leak area in all directions using ERG guidance for the material and package size.
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials, increase the downwind precautionary distance as conditions require.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3477 — Fuel cell cartridges contained in equipmHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3477
Product: Fuel cell cartridges contained in equipment, containing corrosive substances
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 153
PPE: Level C minimum for intact cartridges; Level B with SCBA if leaking or damaged with vapor release; chemical-resistant gloves and face shield required
ISOLATION: ERG 153: Small spill isolate 25m all directions; large spill/fire isolate 50m, consider evacuation 300m downwind
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 3477 — Fuel cell cartridges contained in equipment, containing corrosive substances
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 153
Appearance: Sealed cartridge devices containing liquid or gel corrosive electrolyte (typically alkaline or acidic solutions). Physical state varies by design; cartridges are typically plastic or metal assemblies at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Electrolyte may be alkaline (corrosive) or acidic (corrosive); avoid contact with leaking contents
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray for fire control; avoid direct contact with leaked corrosive electrolyte
PPE: Level C minimum for intact cartridges; Level B with SCBA if leaking or damaged with vapor release; chemical-resistant gloves and face shield required
Isolation: ERG 153: Small spill isolate 25m all directions; large spill/fire isolate 50m, consider evacuation 300m downwind
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
• 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/fuel-cell-cartridges-contained-un-3477 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3477 Fuel cell cartridges contained in equipment, containing corrosive substances Cls8 ERG153 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/fuel-cell-cartridges-contained-un-3477SMS / 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/fuel-cell-cartridges-contained-un-3477
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3477
Not normally. The primary hazard is corrosive electrolyte, although equipment or packaging may burn in a fire.
Contents vary. Leaked electrolyte may react with water or form corrosive runoff; avoid direct contact.
Use Level B with SCBA and chemical splash protection for damaged or leaking cartridges.
Isolate damaged equipment, avoid leaked electrolyte, and select extinguishing media based on the fire and cartridge condition.
UN 3477 is assigned to ERG Guide 153 for initial emergency response guidance.
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.