UN 1494 — Sodium bromate
Placard: Oxidizer. ERG Guide 140. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 1494 is Sodium bromate, a Class 5 oxidizer assigned to ERG Guide 140. It can intensify fire and may react violently with fuels, organics, acids or reducing agents.
Hazard overview: UN 1494 presents oxidizer, decomposition and contamination hazards. Heat, fuels, organics, acids or reducing agents can increase fire, explosion or toxic gas risk depending on the exact salt or mixture.
Response guidance: For a UN 1494 incident, responders should verify the product with shipping papers, package markings, SDS and ERG Guide 140. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, keep fuels and organics away, avoid contaminated absorbents and choose extinguishing or spill-control actions based on ERG, SDS and local SOP.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 1494 should emphasize oxidizer fire acceleration, chlorine/chlorine dioxide-type decomposition gases where applicable, incompatibility with fuels, acids and organics, dust control and runoff management. Use ERG 140, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Sodium bromate is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Transportation, workplace exposure, spill reporting, waste handling, storage and environmental requirements may vary by formulation, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, facility documents and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Sodium bromate should be stored in compatible oxidizer storage away from acids, fuels, organic materials, reducing agents, ammonia compounds where incompatible, heat and contamination. Keep containers dry, closed, clearly labeled and separated from combustible packaging or spilled residues.
UN 1494 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 1494
- OXIDIZER: may intensify fire and accelerate burning of combustible materials.
- Heat, friction, contamination or confinement may increase decomposition or explosion risk.
- May ignite combustibles such as wood, paper, oil, clothing, packaging or contaminated absorbents.
- Chlorate, chlorite, bromate or hypochlorite oxidizers may react violently with fuels, organics, acids, sulfur, phosphorus or reducing agents.
- Containers may rupture or explode when heated.
- Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff may spread oxidizing material and create fire, explosion or environmental hazards.
- Dust, solution or decomposition products may irritate or injure eyes, skin or respiratory tissue.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
White to off-white crystalline powder or granular solid, odorless. Stable at room temperature but decomposes when heated.
| Also known as | Sodium bromateBromic acid sodium saltNaBrO3 |
| CAS Number | 7789-38-0 |
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder or granular solid, odorless. Stable at room temperature but decomposes when heated. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (oxidizing solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Soluble in water, no violent reaction but creates oxidizing solution |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1494
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA for fire, dust, decomposition or confined-space exposure. Chemical-resistant gloves, eye/face protection and protective clothing should be selected from SDS; avoid dust inhalation and contaminated runoff.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 1494 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.
- Keep combustibles, fuels, organics, reducing agents and contaminated materials away from the spill.
- Do not touch or walk through spilled material unless properly trained and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
- Avoid creating dust clouds and prevent runoff from contacting combustibles, drains or incompatible materials when possible.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped and authorized by incident command.
- Isolate the spill or fire area and expand the perimeter if large quantities, contamination, heating or container involvement are present.
- Use ERG Guide 140, shipping papers, SDS and local SOP for protective actions and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1494 — Sodium bromateUse 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.