☣️ UN 1700 • CLASS 6
UN 1700 — Tear gas grenades
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 159. 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.
Tear gas grenades are highly irritating and can cause burning of eyes and lachrymation. They require special handling and emergency procedures.
Hazard overview: Inhalation of vapors or dust from tear gas grenades is extremely irritating. May cause burning of eyes and lachrymation.
Response guidance: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m downwind during day, consider evacuation. Do not use water or foam on intact devices.
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UN 1700 Quick Details
UN 1700
Product name: Tear gas grenades
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 159 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 159: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m downwind during day, consider evacuation
Common Hazards of UN 1700
- Inhalation of vapors or dust is extremely irritating.
- May cause burning of eyes and lachrymation (flow of tears).
- May cause coughing, difficult breathing and nausea.
- Brief exposure effects last only a few minutes.
- Exposure in an enclosed area may be very harmful.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Tear gas grenades are solid devices containing various irritant chemicals (commonly CS or CN compounds).
| Also known as | Tear gas grenadesCS grenadesCN grenadesLachrymatory agent grenadesRiot control grenades |
| Appearance | Tear gas grenades are solid devices containing various irritant chemicals (commonly CS or CN compounds). The active agents are typically white to pale yellow crystalline solids that produce an irritating aerosol or smoke when deployed. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (pyrotechnic device) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (pyrotechnic device) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (deployed as aerosol/particulate) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water; water may help disperse aerosol |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1700
Extinguishing Media
Do not use water or foam on intact devices; use dry chemical, CO2, or sand for fires
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A or B recommended; full face respirator with organic vapor/acid gas cartridge minimum; SCBA required in high concentrations; protective clothing to prevent skin exposure
Level A or B recommended; full face respirator with organic vapor/acid gas cartridge minimum; SCBA required in high concentrations; protective clothing to prevent skin exposure
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 159: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m downwind during day, consider evacuation
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 159).
First Actions for a UN 1700 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 100 meters (330 feet).
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UN 1700 — Tear gas grenadesHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1700
Product: Tear gas grenades
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 159
PPE: Level A or B recommended; full face respirator with organic vapor/acid gas cartridge minimum; SCBA required in high concentrations; protective clothing to prevent skin exposure
ISOLATION: ERG 159: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m downwind during day, consider evacuation
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 1700 — Tear gas grenades
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 159
Appearance: Tear gas grenades are solid devices containing various irritant chemicals (commonly CS or CN compounds). The active agents are typically white to pale yellow crystalline solids that produce an irritating aerosol or smoke when deployed.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water; water may help disperse aerosol
Extinguishing: Do not use water or foam on intact devices; use dry chemical, CO2, or sand for fires
PPE: Level A or B recommended; full face respirator with organic vapor/acid gas cartridge minimum; SCBA required in high concentrations; protective clothing to prevent skin exposure
Isolation: ERG 159: Initial isolation 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m downwind during day, consider evacuation
— Key Hazards —
• Inhalation of vapors or dust is extremely irritating.
• May cause burning of eyes and lachrymation (flow of tears).
• May cause coughing, difficult breathing and nausea.
— 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/tear-gas-grenades-un-1700 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN1700 Tear gas grenades Cls6 ERG159 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/tear-gas-grenades-un-1700SMS / 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/tear-gas-grenades-un-1700
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1700
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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.