☣️ UN 3294 • CLASS 6
UN 3294 — Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 131. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ 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 3294 At a Glance
UN 3294 (Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45%…) is listed as DOT Class 6 Toxic and is assigned to ERG Guide 131. Use this page to review placard data, common hazards, PPE notes, isolation context, first actions, and related UN numbers.
Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide combines extreme cyanide toxicity with alcohol-solution flammability. It requires immediate isolation, expert hazmat response and medical readiness.
Hazard overview: Hydrogen cyanide vapor can be rapidly fatal by inhalation or skin absorption. The alcohol carrier can ignite easily and fire may produce toxic cyanide decomposition products.
Response guidance: Evacuate downwind, eliminate ignition sources and use Level A protection for close approach. Use alcohol-resistant foam, CO2 or dry chemical from a safe distance and prevent runoff spread.
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UN 3294 Quick Details
UN 3294
Product name: Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 131 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 131: isolate spill 25-50m; initial evacuation 100m all directions; large spill may require 300-800m downwind evacuation due to extreme toxicity
Common Hazards of UN 3294
- TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes.
- Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Clear to pale yellow liquid with a faint bitter almond odor (not detectable by all individuals). Highly volatile and miscible with alcohol and water.
| Also known as | HCN in alcoholAlcoholic hydrogen cyanide solutionHydrocyanic acid in ethanolCyanide solutionPrussic acid in alcohol |
| CAS Number | 74-90-8 |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow liquid with a faint bitter almond odor (not detectable by all individuals). Highly volatile and miscible with alcohol and water. |
| Flash Point | Approximately -18C (0F) due to alcohol content |
| Boiling Point | Variable depending on alcohol concentration, typically 26-78C (79-172F) |
| Vapor Density | 0.9 (lighter than air for HCN vapor) |
| Water Reactivity | Miscible with water; no violent reaction but releases toxic HCN vapor |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3294
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam (AR-AFFF), CO2, dry chemical; water spray to reduce vapors
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard
Level A required; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 131: isolate spill 25-50m; initial evacuation 100m all directions; large spill may require 300-800m downwind evacuation due to extreme toxicity
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 131).
First Actions for a UN 3294 Incident
- CALL 911, then contact the emergency response telephone number shown on shipping papers, 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 spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials, increase downwind protective distance based on conditions and incident command guidance.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3294 — Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, wHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3294
Product: Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 131
PPE: Level A required; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard
ISOLATION: ERG 131: isolate spill 25-50m; initial evacuation 100m all directions; large spill may require 300-800m downwind evacuation due to extreme toxicity
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 3294 — Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 131
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow liquid with a faint bitter almond odor (not detectable by all individuals). Highly volatile and miscible with alcohol and water.
Water Reactivity: Miscible with water; no violent reaction but releases toxic HCN vapor
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam (AR-AFFF), CO2, dry chemical; water spray to reduce vapors
PPE: Level A required; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard
Isolation: ERG 131: isolate spill 25-50m; initial evacuation 100m all directions; large spill may require 300-800m downwind evacuation due to extreme toxicity
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes.
• Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
— First Actions —
• CALL 911, then contact the emergency response telephone number shown on shipping papers, 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/hydrogen-cyanide-solution-in-un-3294 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3294 Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide Cls6 ERG131 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/hydrogen-cyanide-solution-in-un-3294SMS / 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/hydrogen-cyanide-solution-in-un-3294
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3294
UN 3294 is Hydrogen cyanide, solution in alcohol, with not more than 45% hydrogen cyanide, assigned to ERG Guide 131 and placarded as Toxic.
Yes. Hydrogen cyanide in alcohol presents a serious toxic exposure hazard; avoid inhalation, ingestion, skin contact and contaminated runoff.
Yes, corrosive effects are possible. Avoid skin and eye contact and use chemical-resistant protection.
Yes or potentially so under incident conditions. Remove ignition sources and control vapors from a safe distance.
Use caution. Miscible with water; no violent reaction but releases toxic HCN vapor
Alcohol-resistant foam (AR-AFFF), CO2, dry chemical; water spray to reduce vapors.
Level A required; SCBA mandatory; fully encapsulating suit; butyl rubber gloves; extreme skin absorption hazard.
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.