HazMat Tool — substance information

Methanol

HMT May 2026

UN / ID: UN 1230
Hazard class: 3
Packing group: II (multiple — see tabs)
ERG guide: ERG 131
Special provisions: SP IB2, SP T7, SP TP2
Source: 49 CFR §172 (2026/05)

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Methanol

Methanol (also called methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, and wood spirit, amongst other names) is an organic chemical compound and the simplest aliphatic alcohol, with the chemical formula CH3OH (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group, often abbreviated as MeOH). It is a light, volatile, colorless and flammable liquid with a distinctive alcoholic odor similar to that of ethanol (potable alcohol), but is more acutely toxic than the latter. Methanol acquired the name wood alcohol because it was once produced through destructive distillation of wood. Today, methanol is mainly produced industrially by hydrogenation of carbon monoxide. Methanol consists of a methyl group linked to a polar hydroxyl group. Wikipedia

Substance Data

Source: PubChem (HSDB, 30.11.2019)

CAS-Number

67-56-1

Flash Point

n/a

Boiling Point

n/a

Emergency Response Guide No. 131

Hazardous Materials Table

Source: 49 CFR §172 (2026/05)

Packing group II
Packing group III

(3) Hazard Class

3
Flammable liquids

(4) Identification number

UN 1230

(5) Packing Group

Comparison View of PG

(6) Labels

(1) Symbols

This entry is signed with plus (+). The plus (+) sign fixes the proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group for that entry without regard to whether the material meets the definition of that class, packing group or any other hazard class definition. When the plus sign is assigned, it means that the material is known to pose a risk to humans. When a plus sign is assigned to mixtures or solutions containing a material where the hazard to humans is significantly different from that of the pure material or where no hazard to humans is posed, the material may be described using an alternative shipping name that represents the hazards posed by the material. An appropriate alternate proper shipping name and hazard class may be authorized by the Associate Administrator.
This entry is signed with "I". The letter "I" identifies proper shipping names which are appropriate for describing materials in international transportation. An alternate proper shipping name may be selected when only domestic transportation is involved.

(7) Special Provisions (§172.102)

×Note:
Special provisions may be very complex. The extracts are taken from 49 CFR §172.102. Please be careful with the information, as necessary, additional conditions may be applied that are not written here. Please check the original source and report bugs.

IB2

Authorized IBCs: Metal (31A, 31B and 31N); Rigid plastics (31H1 and 31H2); Composite (31HZ1).
Additional Requirement: Only liquids with a vapor pressure less than or equal to 110 kPa at 50 °C (1.1 bar at 122 °F), or 130 kPa at 55 °C (1.3 bar at 131 °F) are authorized.

Browse special provision IB2

Minimum test pressure (bar)	4
Minimum shell thickness	§ 178.274(d)(2)
Pressure-relief requirements	Normal
Bottom opening requirements	§ 178.275(d)(3)

Browse special provision T7

TP2

a. The maximum degree of filling must not exceed the degree of filling determined by the following:
TP2a

Where:
t_r is the maximum mean bulk temperature during transport,
t_f is the temperature in degrees celsius of the liquid during filling, and
α is the mean coefficient of cubical expansion of the liquid between the mean temperature of the liquid during filling (t_f) and the maximum mean bulk temperature during transportation (t_r) both in degrees celsius.
b. For liquids transported under ambient conditions α may be calculated using the formula:
TP2b

Where:
d₁₅ and d₅₀ are the densities (in units of mass per unit volume) of the liquid at 15 °C (59 °F) and 50 °C (122 °F), respectively.

Browse special provision TP2

(8) Packing Authorizations (§173.***)

(8A) Exceptions	150	see 49 CFR §173.150
(8B) Non-bulk	202	see 49 CFR §173.202
(8C) Bulk	242	see 49 CFR §173.242

(9) Quantity Limits

(9A) Passenger aircraft/rail	1 L
(9B) Cargo aircraft only	60 L

(10) Vessel stowage

(10A) Location

Stowage category “B” means

(i) The material may be stowed “on deck” or “under deck” on a cargo vessel and on a passenger vessel carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than the larger of 25 passengers, or one passenger per each 3 m of overall vessel length; and
(ii) “On deck only” on passenger vessels in which the number of passengers specified in paragraph (k)(2)(i) of this section is exceeded.

Source: 49 CFR §172.101(k)

(10B) Other

40	see 49 CFR §176.84

Source: 49 CFR §176.84

(3) Hazard Class

3
Flammable liquids

(4) Identification number

UN 1230

(5) Packing Group

Comparison View of PG

(6) Labels

(1) Symbols

This entry is signed with "D". The letter "D" identifies proper shipping names which are appropriate for describing materials for domestic transportation but may be inappropriate for international transportation under the provisions of international regulations (e.g., IMO, ICAO). An alternate proper shipping name may be selected when either domestic or international transportation is involved.

(7) Special Provisions (§172.102)

IB2

Browse special provision IB2

Minimum test pressure (bar)	4
Minimum shell thickness	§ 178.274(d)(2)
Pressure-relief requirements	Normal
Bottom opening requirements	§ 178.275(d)(3)

Browse special provision T7

TP2

a. The maximum degree of filling must not exceed the degree of filling determined by the following:
TP2a

Where:
d₁₅ and d₅₀ are the densities (in units of mass per unit volume) of the liquid at 15 °C (59 °F) and 50 °C (122 °F), respectively.

Browse special provision TP2

(8) Packing Authorizations (§173.***)

(8A) Exceptions	150	see 49 CFR §173.150
(8B) Non-bulk	202	see 49 CFR §173.202
(8C) Bulk	242	see 49 CFR §173.242

(9) Quantity Limits

(9A) Passenger aircraft/rail	1 L
(9B) Cargo aircraft only	60 L

(10) Vessel stowage

(10A) Location

Stowage category “B” means

(i) The material may be stowed “on deck” or “under deck” on a cargo vessel and on a passenger vessel carrying a number of passengers limited to not more than the larger of 25 passengers, or one passenger per each 3 m of overall vessel length; and
(ii) “On deck only” on passenger vessels in which the number of passengers specified in paragraph (k)(2)(i) of this section is exceeded.

Source: 49 CFR §172.101(k)

(10B) Other

40	see 49 CFR §176.84

Source: 49 CFR §176.84

Packing group comparison

Multiple packing groups apply to this entry. See assignment criteria in 49 CFR §173 Subpart D. Details are in the tabs above; differences are highlighted.

	PG II	PG II
1	+ I	D
2	Methanol	Methanol
3	3	3
4	UN 1230	UN 1230
5	II	II
6	3, 6.1	3
7	IB2, T7, TP2	IB2, T7, TP2
8A	150	150
8B	202	202
8C	242	242
9A	1 L	1 L
9B	60 L	60 L
10A	B	B
10B	40	40

Segregation chart for load, transport, and storage

This chart shows whether loading, transport, or storage with other hazard classes is permitted, prohibited, or restricted. Based on 49 CFR §177.848.

Hazard class	8	7	6.1	5.2	5.1	4.3	4.2	4.1	3	2.3B	2.3A	2.2	2.1	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.1/1.2
1.1/1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
2.1
2.2
2.3A
2.3B
3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
6.1
7
8

	Must not be loaded, transported, or stored together in the same vehicle or facility.
	May be loaded, transported, or stored together.
	May be loaded, transported, or stored together only with restrictions.