☣️ UN 1426 • CLASS 4
UN 1426 — Sodium borohydride
Placard: Dangerous When Wet. ERG Guide 138. 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.
Sodium borohydride is a highly reactive chemical used in various industrial applications. It is essential to handle this substance with caution due to its hazardous properties.
Hazard overview: Sodium borohydride can produce flammable gases on contact with water, and may ignite on contact with water or moist air. It is also a hygroscopic solid that can absorb moisture from the air.
Response guidance: In case of a spill, isolate the area with a 25-meter radius for small spills and 50 meters for large spills. Consider evacuating the area 300 meters downwind if a fire occurs.
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UN 1426 Quick Details
UN 1426
Product name: Sodium borohydride
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Dangerous When Wet
ERG Guide: 138 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 138: isolate spill 25m all directions; large spill isolate 50m, consider evacuation 300m downwind if fire
Common Hazards of UN 1426
- Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
- May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
- Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Some are transported in highly flammable liquids.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Sodium borohydride appears as a white to grayish-white crystalline or granular powder with an odorless or slight amine-like odor.
| Also known as | Sodium tetrahydroborateSodium tetrahydridoborateNaBH4Burohydrure de sodium |
| CAS Number | 16940-66-2 |
| Appearance | White to grayish-white crystalline or granular powder. Odorless or slight amine-like odor. Hygroscopic solid at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (solid); generates flammable hydrogen gas on contact with water or moisture |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes above 400C/752F before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water to release flammable hydrogen gas; reaction accelerates with acids or heat. Keep dry. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1426
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical (Class D if available), dry sand, soda ash; DO NOT use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA; full face shield and chemical-resistant gloves; avoid moisture contact
Wear Level B minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), full face shield, and chemical-resistant gloves to handle sodium borohydride.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 138: isolate spill 25m all directions; large spill isolate 50m, consider evacuation 300m downwind if fire
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 138).
First Actions for a UN 1426 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 in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1426 — Sodium borohydrideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1426
Product: Sodium borohydride
Class 4 / Dangerous When Wet / ERG 138
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; full face shield and chemical-resistant gloves; avoid moisture contact
ISOLATION: ERG 138: isolate spill 25m all directions; large spill isolate 50m, consider evacuation 300m downwind if fire
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 1426 — Sodium borohydride
Class: 4 | Placard: Dangerous When Wet | ERG Guide: 138
Appearance: White to grayish-white crystalline or granular powder. Odorless or slight amine-like odor. Hygroscopic solid at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Reacts with water to release flammable hydrogen gas; reaction accelerates with acids or heat. Keep dry.
Extinguishing: Dry chemical (Class D if available), dry sand, soda ash; DO NOT use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; full face shield and chemical-resistant gloves; avoid moisture contact
Isolation: ERG 138: isolate spill 25m all directions; large spill isolate 50m, consider evacuation 300m downwind if fire
— Key Hazards —
• Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
• May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
• Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
— First Actions —
• 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
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-borohydride-un-1426 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN1426 Sodium borohydride Cls4 ERG138 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-borohydride-un-1426SMS / 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/sodium-borohydride-un-1426
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1426
Yes, it can produce flammable gases on contact with water.
No, do not use water, foam, CO2, or halogenated agents to extinguish a sodium borohydride fire.
Isolate the area with a 25-meter radius for small spills and 50 meters for large spills, and consider evacuating the area 300 meters downwind if a fire occurs.
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.