☣️ UN 2803 • CLASS 8
UN 2803 — Gallium
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 172. 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.
Gallium is a low-melting metal that may be solid or liquid depending on ambient temperature. It is handled as a Class 8 material because of contamination and material-compatibility concerns.
Hazard overview: The unusual hazard is not ordinary flammability, but contamination, possible harmful exposure and damage to certain metals. Heated material or fire exposure can increase inhalation risk.
Response guidance: Isolate the spill, avoid spreading droplets and protect sensitive equipment or incompatible metals. Use dry methods where practical and choose fire media for surrounding materials.
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UN 2803 Quick Details
UN 2803
Product name: Gallium
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 172 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 172: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions
Common Hazards of UN 2803
- Gallium can contaminate surfaces and may cause harmful effects through contact or heated vapors.
- Molten gallium can wet and damage some metals, especially aluminum alloys.
- Heating may produce irritating metal fumes or decomposition products from contaminated material.
- Water contact is not the main fire hazard, but hot metal contact may create splatter or hydrogen concerns in some conditions.
- Spilled liquid gallium can spread into cracks and equipment surfaces.
- Runoff and cleanup residues should be controlled to prevent environmental contamination.
- Containers or surrounding packaging may fail in fire.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Gallium is a silvery metal that melts near room temperature. In warm conditions it can appear as a heavy, mobile liquid with no characteristic odor.
| Also known as | Gallium metalElemental galliumGaGallium element |
| CAS Number | 7440-55-3 |
| Appearance | Silvery-white or bluish-white metal that is solid at room temperature but melts near room temperature (29.8°C). May appear as a liquid in warm conditions. No characteristic odor. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-combustible metal) |
| Boiling Point | 2204°C (3999°F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (low vapor pressure metal) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts slowly with water, especially hot water, producing hydrogen gas and corrosive gallium hydroxide |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2803
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid water contact
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; chemical-resistant gloves and apron required; eye protection mandatory; SCBA if heated or vapors present
Use gloves, eye protection and protective clothing for handling. SCBA is needed if material is heated, involved in fire or producing fumes.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 172: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 172).
First Actions for a UN 2803 Incident
- Call 911 and the emergency response number shown on the shipping papers or container documents.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away and establish an isolation perimeter before entry.
- Stay upwind, uphill and upstream; keep responders out of vapors, dusts and runoff.
- Avoid breathing vapors, dust, mist or smoke and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless properly trained and protected.
- Ventilate confined spaces only when personnel are trained, equipped and monitored.
- Use ERG guidance, SDS, shipping papers and air monitoring to confirm protective actions.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2803 — GalliumHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2803
Product: Gallium
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 172
PPE: Level B minimum; chemical-resistant gloves and apron required; eye protection mandatory; SCBA if heated or vapors present
ISOLATION: ERG 172: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions
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 2803 — Gallium
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 172
Appearance: Silvery-white or bluish-white metal that is solid at room temperature but melts near room temperature (29.8°C). May appear as a liquid in warm conditions. No characteristic odor.
Water Reactivity: Reacts slowly with water, especially hot water, producing hydrogen gas and corrosive gallium hydroxide
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid water contact
PPE: Level B minimum; chemical-resistant gloves and apron required; eye protection mandatory; SCBA if heated or vapors present
Isolation: ERG 172: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions
— Key Hazards —
• Gallium can contaminate surfaces and may cause harmful effects through contact or heated vapors.
• Molten gallium can wet and damage some metals, especially aluminum alloys.
• Heating may produce irritating metal fumes or decomposition products from contaminated material.
— First Actions —
• Call 911 and the emergency response number shown on the shipping papers or container documents.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away and establish an isolation perimeter before entry.
• Stay upwind, uphill and upstream; keep responders out of vapors, dusts and runoff.
• Avoid breathing vapors, dust, mist or smoke and avoid skin or eye contact.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/gallium-un-2803 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN2803 Gallium Cls8 ERG172 | ERG 172: isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if tank/rail car inv | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/gallium-un-2803SMS / 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/gallium-un-2803
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2803
No. Gallium metal is not normally a flammable material.
It can contaminate surfaces and damage certain metals, and heated exposure may create harmful fumes.
It melts near room temperature, so it may be encountered as either a solid or a liquid.
Prevent spreading into cracks, drains or equipment and collect it using compatible tools and containers.
Use SCBA if gallium is heated, involved in fire or if fumes from contaminated material are present.
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.