☣️ 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.
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.