1987 Placard Meaning in Hazmat Transportation
On commercial highway tanker trucks, railroad tank cars, and intermodal chemical containers, a diamond-shaped placard with the number 1987 designates UN 1987, the hazardous materials identification number for 'Alcohols, n.o.s.' (Not Otherwise Specified), classifying the cargo as a Class 3 Flammable Liquid.
The Regulatory Meaning and Chemistry of the UN 1987 Placard
When driving along interstate highways or observing industrial rail yards, you will frequently see commercial bulk tank trailers displaying a bright red, diamond-shaped warning placard bearing the four-digit identification number '1987' beneath a graphic flame icon. Under the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 100-185) and the United Nations Model Regulations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods, the UN number 1987 officially represents 'Alcohols, n.o.s.'—an international chemical shipping designation where the acronym n.o.s. stands for 'Not Otherwise Specified'.
The UN 1987 classification encompasses a wide family of flammable liquid alcohol mixtures that do not have their own unique dedicated four-digit UN numbers (such as UN 1170 for pure ethanol or UN 1219 for pure isopropanol). Typical industrial cargoes traveling under the 1987 placard include denatured alcohol blends, pharmaceutical sanitizing solvents, fuel-grade ethanol/gasoline mixtures, industrial degreasers, and printing ink alcohol solvents.
The bright red background combined with the number '3' at the bottom corner categorizes the material as a DOT Hazard Class 3: Flammable Liquid. This indicates that the liquid produces volatile flammable vapors that can easily ignite when exposed to an open spark, heat source, or electrical static discharge.
Class 3 Flammable Liquid Packing Groups for UN 1987
Hazardous chemicals shipped under UN 1987 are further assigned to specific Packing Groups (PG) based on their flashpoint and boiling point, which dictate container durability standards. The table below outlines these packing classifications.
| Packing Group (PG) | Flashpoint & Boiling Point Range | Degree of Danger | Typical Industrial Alcohol Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing Group I (PG I) | Initial boiling point ≤ 35°C (95°F) | Extreme Danger (High volatility) | Highly volatile low-boiling alcohol solvent blends |
| Packing Group II (PG II) | Flashpoint < 23°C (73°F) and boiling > 35°C | Medium Danger (Standard flammable) | Denatured ethanol, isopropyl alcohol mixtures, hand sanitizer wash |
| Packing Group III (PG III) | Flashpoint between 23°C and 60°C (73°F - 140°F) | Low Danger (Combustible alcohol) | Heavier glycol-alcohol formulations and diluted industrial solvents |
Emergency First Responder Protocols for UN 1987 Incidents
When highway collisions, derailments, or storage tank ruptures occur involving a tanker displaying the 1987 placard, emergency fire and rescue personnel immediately consult the official Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) published jointly by the US DOT, Transport Canada, and Mexico's SCT. The ERG directs first responders to Guide 127: 'Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)'.
Unlike standard petroleum gasoline fires, which float on water, alcohol-based chemical fires are water-miscible (polar). Standard firefighting foam will instantly break down and dissolve when sprayed onto polar alcohol liquids, rendering the foam blanket useless. Consequently, firefighters battling a UN 1987 alcohol blaze must deploy specialized 'Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film-Forming Foam' (AR-AFFF) to create a protective membrane that smothers flammable vapors without dissolving.
Comparing Common Flammable Liquid DOT Placards
Bulk transport vehicles display distinct UN numbers depending on the precise chemical carried. The table below illustrates how UN 1987 compares with other common liquid placards.
| UN Placard Number | Official Chemical Proper Shipping Name | DOT Hazard Class | Common Consumer / Industrial Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| UN 1987 | Alcohols, n.o.s. (Not Otherwise Specified) | Class 3 Flammable Liquid | Denatured alcohol mixtures, solvent sanitizers, chemical alcohols |
| UN 1203 | Gasoline / Motor Spirit | Class 3 Flammable Liquid | Automotive fuel for gas station supply tankers |
| UN 1170 | Ethanol / Ethyl Alcohol Solutions | Class 3 Flammable Liquid | Distillery grain spirits, pure industrial fuel ethanol |
| UN 1219 | Isopropanol / Isopropyl Alcohol | Class 3 Flammable Liquid | Pure rubbing alcohol and medical electronics sterilizing wash |
| UN 1993 | Flammable Liquids, n.o.s. | Class 3 Flammable Liquid | Generic flammable solvent blends, petroleum distillates, paints |
How to Safely Respond to an Accident Involving a UN 1987 Tanker
Critical safety protocol for motorists encountering a road accident involving a tanker truck with a 1987 placard.
Maintain Upwind and Uphill Distance
Pull your vehicle safely off the roadway at least 300 to 500 feet away, staying upwind and uphill to avoid inhaling volatile vapors.
Eliminate All Ignition Sources Immediately
Turn off your vehicle engine, do not light cigarettes, and avoid using flares or metallic tools that could spark near vapor clouds.
Dial 911 and Report the Placard Number
Call emergency dispatch immediately and state clearly: 'There is a tanker accident displaying a red flammable placard with UN 1987'.
Never Approach or Touch Leaking Fluid
Alcohol vapors are invisible and toxic; stay inside your vehicle with windows closed if you cannot safely drive away.
Frequently Asked Questions (8 Questions Answered)
Q1: What does the 1987 placard mean on a truck?
It identifies UN 1987, designating 'Alcohols, n.o.s.' (Class 3 Flammable Liquid), meaning the truck carries bulk flammable alcohol mixtures.
Q2: What does 'n.o.s.' stand for in hazmat shipping?
N.O.S. stands for 'Not Otherwise Specified', used when a chemical mixture does not have its own individual chemical name UN code.
Q3: What color is the 1987 placard?
The 1987 placard is solid red with white or black lettering, a flame icon at the top, and the class number '3' at the bottom point.
Q4: What guide number in the ERG corresponds to UN 1987?
UN 1987 corresponds to Guide 127 in the Emergency Response Guidebook, covering water-miscible flammable liquids.
Q5: Why can't firefighters use plain water on a 1987 alcohol fire?
Alcohols mix with water and can spread burning liquid; firefighters must use Alcohol-Resistant AFFF foam to smother the fire.
Q6: What is an example of a UN 1987 cargo?
Examples include denatured fuel ethanol blends, industrial disinfectant solutions, and alcohol-based printing ink solvents.
Q7: Is UN 1987 toxic as well as flammable?
Yes, inhaling concentrated vapors can cause dizziness, central nervous system depression, and respiratory irritation.
Q8: Who regulates hazmat placards in the United States?
Hazmat placards are regulated and enforced by the US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
The UN 1987 placard is an indispensable global warning symbol that informs first responders, transportation workers, and motorists of volatile Class 3 flammable alcohol cargo. By identifying the chemical hazards, vapor volatility, and proper extinguishing protocols in seconds, hazmat placards protect emergency personnel and keep our highways safe.