☣️ UN 1824 • CLASS 8

UN 1824 — Sodium hydroxide, solution

Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 154. 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.

UN 1824 is Sodium hydroxide, solution, a Class 8 caustic corrosive material assigned to ERG Guide 154. It can cause severe alkali burns and may generate heat when dissolved or diluted.

Hazard overview: UN 1824 presents caustic burn, dust/mist, heat-on-dilution and alkaline-runoff hazards. Contact with some metals may release flammable hydrogen gas.

Response guidance: For a UN 1824 incident, responders should verify the product with shipping papers, package markings, SDS and ERG Guide 154. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, prevent incompatible contact, control runoff and choose entry or fire-control actions based on monitoring, SDS and local SOP.

Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 1824 should emphasize caustic burns, heat from dilution, dust or mist control, metal/hydrogen incompatibility, PPE selection and alkaline runoff containment. Use ERG 154, SDS and local SOP.

Regulatory context: Sodium hydroxide, solution 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 concentration, 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 hydroxide, solution should be stored in compatible corrosion-resistant containers with secondary containment, away from acids, reactive metals where incompatible, ammonium salts where incompatible and unauthorized access. Keep containers closed and protected from moisture, impact or heat.

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UN 1824 Quick Details

UN 1824
Product name: Sodium hydroxide, solution
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 154 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill 25m all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind areas

Common Hazards of UN 1824

  • CORROSIVE caustic material; skin, eye or respiratory contact may cause severe burns.
  • Dust, mist, spray or solution can damage eyes, skin and respiratory tissue.
  • Dissolving or diluting can generate heat and may cause splattering or boiling.
  • Generally non-flammable, but may react with some metals to release flammable hydrogen gas.
  • Runoff may be strongly alkaline and corrosive.
  • Containers may rupture or fail when heated.
  • Exact hazard severity depends on concentration, physical form and SDS.

Chemical Identity & Physical Properties

Clear to slightly cloudy colorless liquid with no distinct odor. Highly alkaline solution that is viscous and slippery to the touch.

Also known asCaustic soda solutionLye solutionSoda lyeSodium hydrate solutionNaOH solution
CAS Number1310-73-2
AppearanceClear to slightly cloudy colorless liquid with no distinct odor. Highly alkaline solution that is viscous and slippery to the touch.
Flash PointNot applicable (non-flammable aqueous solution)
Boiling PointVaries with concentration; typically 100-140C (212-284F) depending on NaOH percentage
Vapor DensityNot applicable (non-volatile aqueous solution)
Water ReactivityMiscible with water; dilution generates significant heat (exothermic reaction)
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.

Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1824

Extinguishing Media

Use extinguishing agents appropriate for the surrounding fire and SDS. Water spray may cool containers or reduce dust/mist only when splattering and corrosive runoff can be controlled.

PPE Requirements

⚠️ Full chemical-resistant suit with face shield; nitrile or neoprene gloves; SCBA if mist or vapor present; eye protection mandatory

Use positive-pressure SCBA for vapor, mist, dust, fire or confined-space exposure. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, boots, eye/face protection and protective clothing selected from SDS for corrosive contact.

Isolation & Evacuation

ERG 154: isolate spill 25m all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind areas
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 154).

First Actions for a UN 1824 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.
  • Avoid breathing vapors, fumes, dust, mist or spray and avoid skin or eye contact.
  • Do not touch or walk through spilled material unless properly trained and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
  • Avoid creating dust or splashes and prevent alkaline/corrosive runoff from entering drains.
  • Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped, monitored and authorized by incident command.
  • Isolate the spill or leak area and expand the perimeter if vapor, dust, fire involvement, water reaction or unknown concentration is present.
  • Use ERG Guide 154, shipping papers, SDS, air monitoring and incident command for protective actions.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card

UN 1824 — Sodium hydroxide, solution
HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1824 Product: Sodium hydroxide, solution Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 154 PPE: Full chemical-resistant suit with face shield; nitrile or neoprene gloves; SCBA if mist or vapor present; eye protection mandatory ISOLATION: ERG 154: isolate spill 25m all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind areas ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO

Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.

SMS WhatsApp
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING === UN 1824 — Sodium hydroxide, solution Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 154 Appearance: Clear to slightly cloudy colorless liquid with no distinct odor. Highly alkaline solution that is viscous and slippery to the touch. Water Reactivity: Miscible with water; dilution generates significant heat (exothermic reaction) Extinguishing: Use extinguishing agents appropriate for the surrounding fire and SDS. Water spray may cool containers or reduce dust/mist only when splattering and corrosive runoff can be controlled. PPE: Full chemical-resistant suit with face shield; nitrile or neoprene gloves; SCBA if mist or vapor present; eye protection mandatory Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill 25m all directions; for large spills isolate 50m and evacuate downwind areas — Key Hazards — • CORROSIVE caustic material; skin, eye or respiratory contact may cause severe burns. • Dust, mist, spray or solution can damage eyes, skin and respiratory tissue. • Dissolving or diluting can generate heat and may cause splattering or boiling. — 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. • Avoid breathing vapors, fumes, dust, mist or spray and avoid skin or eye contact. SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-hydroxide-solution-un-1824 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING

Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.

SMS (short)
UN1824 Sodium hydroxide, solution Cls8 ERG154 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-hydroxide-solution-un-1824SMS / 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-hydroxide-solution-un-1824

Related UN Numbers in Class 8

Discovery block for training / quick reference. Always consult the current ERG + your SOP/SOG for operations.
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1824

UN 1824 is Sodium hydroxide, solution, a hazardous material assigned to ERG Guide 154.

No. It is not flammable, but contact with some metals may release flammable hydrogen gas.

ERG Guide 154 applies to UN 1824 for initial isolation, protective actions and first response guidance.

UN 1824 presents caustic burn, dust/mist, heat-on-dilution and alkaline-runoff hazards. Contact with some metals may release flammable hydrogen gas.

Use positive-pressure SCBA for vapor, mist, dust, fire or confined-space exposure. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, boots, eye/face protection and protective clothing selected from SDS for corrosive contact.

Dissolving or diluting caustic material can generate heat and splattering, increasing burn and alkaline runoff hazards.
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.