UN/NA Number Reference
DOT Class 3 Flammable Liquid placard

UN 1230: Methanol

49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table·ERG 2024

DOT Classification and Shipping

UN 1230 is assigned the proper shipping name Methanol in the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). It is classified as a Class 3 Flammable Liquid material, Packing Group II. Required label(s): 3, 6.1.

Packing group indicates the degree of danger within a hazard class: PG I is high danger, PG II medium, PG III low. The proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and packing group together form the basic shipping description that must appear on shipping papers and, where required, on the package and placard.

Emergency Response (ERG Guide 131)

Hazards: HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. TOXIC. May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. Vapors heavier than air.

Fire: Small: dry chemical, CO2, water spray, alcohol-resistant foam. Large: water spray, fog, alcohol-resistant foam.

Spill: Eliminate ignition sources. Do not touch. Stop leak if safe. Use vapor-suppressing foam. Ventilate area.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Methanol appears as a colorless fairly volatile liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odor like that of ethyl alcohol. Completely mixes with water. The vapors are slightly heavier than air and may travel some distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Any accumulation of vapors in confined spaces, such as buildings or sewers, may explode if ignited. Used to make chemicals, to remove water from automotive and aviation fuels, as a solvent for paints and plastics, and as an ingredient in a wide variety of products.

CAS Number: 67-56-1
Molecular Formula: CH4O
Molecular Weight: 32.042 g/mol
Color / Form: Colorless liquid
Odor: Slight alcoholic odor when pure; repulsive, pungent odor when crude
Boiling Point: 148.3 F
Melting Point: -144 °F (NTP, 1992)
Flash Point: 52 F
Autoignition: 867 °F (USCG, 1999)
Specific Gravity: 0.792 (floats on water)
Vapor Pressure: 100 mmHg at 70.2 F
Vapor Density: 1.11 (heavier than air)
Water Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 70 F
Log P: log Kow = -0.77

Regulatory Data

CERCLA RQ (40 CFR 302.4)
5000 lb
OSHA PEL
200 260 200 ppm (ST) 250 ppm (C) 1000 ppm
NIOSH REL
TWA 200 ppm (260 mg/m 3 ) ST 250 ppm (325 mg/m 3 ) [skin]
IDLH
6000 ppm
RCRA Waste Code(s)
[object Object]

A release of this material at or above its CERCLA reportable quantity (5000 lb) requires immediate notification to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

Special Provisions

49 CFR 172.102 special provision codes for this entry: IB2, T7, TP2. These codes modify the general requirements (packaging, quantity limits, exceptions) for this specific material. Look up each code in 49 CFR 172.102 for the full text.

Need the full interactive record? Open UN 1230 in the SpillNerd lookup tool for the live database entry with placard graphics, GHS pictograms, full segregation tables, and synonym search. For another material, use the UN number and chemical lookup.

Reference data compiled from the DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101), the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook, and public chemical databases (PubChem, NIOSH, EPA). Always verify the correct shipping description against the current regulation and the manufacturer's SDS Section 14 before shipping.