UN 1071 — Oil gas, compressed
Placard: Toxic Gas. ERG Guide 119. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Oil gas is a toxic gas that can be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and can cause severe burns and injuries. It is a colorless to pale yellow compressed gas mixture with a characteristic petroleum or hydrocarbon odor.
Hazard overview: Oil gas can cause severe skin burns and injuries, and contact with the gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury, and/or frostbite. It is essential to handle oil gas with caution and follow proper safety protocols.
Response guidance: In case of an oil gas spill or leak, isolate the area for at least 100m in all directions, and use dry chemical or CO2 to extinguish small fires. Do not use water or foam on gas leaks, and allow gas fires to burn out if flow cannot be stopped safely.
UN 1071 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 1071
- TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Some may cause severe skin burns and
- Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Flammable; may be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- May form explosive mixtures with air. Ethylene oxide (UN1040) may react explosively even in the
- Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
- Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Oil gas is a colorless to pale yellow compressed gas mixture with a characteristic petroleum or hydrocarbon odor, and is heavier than air when released.
| Also known as | Oil gasCompressed oil gasPetroleum gas mixtureRefinery gasLight hydrocarbon gas mixture |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow compressed gas mixture with a characteristic petroleum or hydrocarbon odor. Heavier than air when released. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (compressed flammable gas) |
| Boiling Point | Variable, typically -160C to -42C (-256F to -44F) depending on composition |
| Vapor Density | 1.5-2.0 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1071
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
A Level B minimum protective suit with SCBA is required for handling oil gas, and a full chemical-resistant suit is recommended if contact with liquefied gas is possible.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 1071 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 for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
- 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
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1071 — Oil gas, compressedUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.