☣️ UN 3389 • CLASS 6
UN 3389 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 154. 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 3389 is Poisonous by inhalation liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A), a not-otherwise-specified hazmat entry assigned to ERG Guide 154. The exact product name on shipping papers and the SDS determine the final hazards, but initial response should assume the listed DOT hazard until proven otherwise.
Hazard overview: Zone A inhalation toxicity is the controlling hazard; severe chemical burns. Treat unknown releases as immediately dangerous.
Response guidance: For UN 3389, establish hot/warm/cold zones, isolate the area, evacuate downwind as ERG 154 directs, control ignition if flammable, and wait for trained hazmat entry with monitoring.
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UN 3389 Quick Details
UN 3389
Product name: Poisonous by inhalation liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 154 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 154: Initial isolation 100m all directions; Protective action distance 0.5km daytime, 1.1km nighttime for small spill; 1.3km daytime, 3.7km nighttime for large spill
Common Hazards of UN 3389
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- 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.
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Variable appearance depending on specific substance; may be colorless to colored liquid with irritating or pungent odor. Corrosive properties cause severe tissue damage on contact.
| Also known as | PIH liquid corrosive Zone AToxic inhalation hazard liquid corrosiveTIH corrosive liquid n.o.s.Poisonous corrosive liquid Zone A |
| Appearance | Variable appearance depending on specific substance; may be colorless to colored liquid with irritating or pungent odor. Corrosive properties cause severe tissue damage on contact. |
| Flash Point | Variable - depends on specific chemical identity |
| Boiling Point | Variable - depends on specific chemical identity |
| Vapor Density | Typically >1 (heavier than air) - specific value depends on chemical identity |
| Water Reactivity | Variable - may react with water generating heat or toxic/corrosive gases depending on specific substance |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3389
Extinguishing Media
Use water spray to reduce vapors; avoid direct contact with liquid; dry chemical or CO2 for small fires if chemical permits
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required for Zone A materials; Full encapsulating suit with SCBA; vapor-protective chemical resistant suit mandatory
Level A vapor-protective PPE with positive-pressure SCBA is appropriate for unknown or active releases. Avoid all skin contact and downgrade only after monitoring and product identification.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 154: Initial isolation 100m all directions; Protective action distance 0.5km daytime, 1.1km nighttime for small spill; 1.3km daytime, 3.7km nighttime for large spill
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 154).
First Actions for a UN 3389 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone 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 spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- 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 direction.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3389 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, corrosivHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3389
Product: Poisonous by inhalation liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 154
PPE: Level A required for Zone A materials; Full encapsulating suit with SCBA; vapor-protective chemical resistant suit mandatory
ISOLATION: ERG 154: Initial isolation 100m all directions; Protective action distance 0.5km daytime, 1.1km nighttime for small spill; 1.3km daytime, 3.7km nighttime for large spill
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 3389 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 154
Appearance: Variable appearance depending on specific substance; may be colorless to colored liquid with irritating or pungent odor. Corrosive properties cause severe tissue damage on contact.
Water Reactivity: Variable - may react with water generating heat or toxic/corrosive gases depending on specific substance
Extinguishing: Use water spray to reduce vapors; avoid direct contact with liquid; dry chemical or CO2 for small fires if chemical permits
PPE: Level A required for Zone A materials; Full encapsulating suit with SCBA; vapor-protective chemical resistant suit mandatory
Isolation: ERG 154: Initial isolation 100m all directions; Protective action distance 0.5km daytime, 1.1km nighttime for small spill; 1.3km daytime, 3.7km nighttime for large spill
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
• Avoid any skin contact.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone 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/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3389 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3389 Poisonous by inhalation liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A) Cls6 ERG154 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3389SMS / 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/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3389
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3389
UN 3389 is Poisonous by inhalation liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A). It is assigned to ERG Guide 154 for initial emergency response.
The main hazard is poisonous vapor exposure by inhalation (Zone A). Skin contact and ingestion may also be dangerous depending on the exact chemical.
Use Level A vapor-protective chemical suit with positive-pressure SCBA for unknown or active releases. Downgrade only after monitoring and product identification.
Yes. It can cause severe chemical burns and may release corrosive or toxic vapors during a spill or fire.
Because n.o.s. PIH entries cover multiple chemicals. The exact name, concentration and SDS determine final PPE, isolation and control tactics.
Avoid direct contact, vapor inhalation, unprotected entry, low areas where vapors collect, and any incompatible extinguishing agent or runoff path.
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.