What DOT Hazmat Class Are Solvents? Classes, UN Numbers, and Packing Groups

Most industrial solvents are DOT Hazard Class 3 (flammable liquids) — any liquid with a flash point at or below 60 °C (140 °F). Each solvent is assigned a UN identification number, a proper shipping name, and a Packing Group (I, II, or III) based on its flash point and boiling point, which together drive packaging, labeling, and shipping-paper requirements.

Here is how Class 3 works, how packing groups are assigned, the DOT profile of common solvents, and what you need to ship them compliantly.

What Is DOT Hazard Class 3?

The U.S. Department of Transportation organizes hazardous materials into nine hazard classes. Class 3 covers flammable liquids — liquids that give off ignitable vapor at or below 60 °C (140 °F) flash point. The large majority of the solvents RightPath distributes fall here: acetone, toluene, methanol, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, and more. A smaller number carry additional or different hazards (for example, methanol is also toxic, and strong acids are corrosive Class 8), which is why every shipment is governed by the entry in the DOT Hazardous Materials Table, not by the class alone.

How Are Solvents Assigned a Packing Group?

Within Class 3, the Packing Group signals how dangerous the liquid is to transport, set by flash point and initial boiling point:

The packing group in turn determines the performance level of the UN-rated container you must use (X for PG I, Y for PG II, Z for PG III packaging).

DOT Classifications for Common Solvents

Typical DOT profiles for solvents RightPath stocks. Always confirm the current entry against the DOT Hazardous Materials Table and the product Safety Data Sheet before shipping, because assignments can carry special provisions:

Which Solvents Carry More Than One Hazard?

Some flammable solvents have a subsidiary hazard that must also appear on labels and documentation. Methanol (UN1230), for example, is a flammable liquid with a subsidiary toxic (Class 6.1) hazard. Others may be flagged as marine pollutants. These extra designations change label, placard, and stowage requirements, so check the SDS Section 14 (Transport Information) for the complete picture.

What Do You Need to Ship Class 3 Solvents?

Compliant shipment of a flammable-liquid solvent generally requires: UN-rated packaging matched to the packing group; the correct proper shipping name, UN number, class, and packing group on the package; a Class 3 flammable-liquid label (and any subsidiary label); vehicle placarding at applicable quantities; and shipping papers or a bill of lading with the full basic description. A trained hazmat employee must prepare the shipment. For the governing federal rules, see the PHMSA Hazardous Materials Program and the Hazardous Materials Table at 49 CFR 172.101.

Grades and Sizes We Stock

RightPath Industries distributes Class 3 solvents — acetone, toluene, methanol, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, MEK, and more — in technical through high-purity analytical grades, packaged in 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums, 275- and 330-gallon IBC totes, and bulk tanker quantities. Every shipment moves in DOT-compliant, UN-rated packaging with a Certificate of Analysis and correct hazmat documentation. Browse the solvents category and our full product catalog.

How to Order Solvents from RightPath

Tell us the solvent, grade, volume, and destination, and RightPath handles grade selection, UN-rated packaging, labeling, placarding, and shipping papers so your flammable-liquid order arrives in full compliance. Request bulk pricing and we will quote it delivered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hazard class is acetone for shipping?

Acetone is DOT Hazard Class 3 (flammable liquid), UN1090, Packing Group II. Confirm the current entry on the SDS and 49 CFR 172.101 before shipping.

Are all solvents Class 3 flammable liquids?

Most are, because they have a flash point at or below 140 °F, but not all. Some solvents carry subsidiary hazards (such as toxicity), and some liquids in the broader chemical catalog fall in other classes entirely.

What is a packing group in DOT hazmat?

The packing group (I, II, or III) rates transport danger within a class. For flammable liquids it is set by flash point and boiling point and determines the performance level of the UN-rated container required.

What is the flash point cutoff for a DOT flammable liquid?

A liquid with a flash point at or below 60 °C (140 °F) is a DOT Class 3 flammable liquid. Above that threshold it is generally not Class 3.

Where do I find the official DOT classification for a chemical?

Use the DOT Hazardous Materials Table at 49 CFR 172.101 and Section 14 of the product Safety Data Sheet, which lists the UN number, proper shipping name, class, and packing group.

How do you store acetone safely?

Store acetone in tightly sealed, original or approved containers inside a cool, dry, well-ventilated flammable-liquids storage area, kept below 25°C (77°F) and away from all ignition sources, heat, sunlight, and oxidizers. Acetone is a Class IB flammable liquid with a flash point of −20°C (−4°F), so vapor control and grounding are essential.

Because acetone (CAS 67-64-1) evaporates fast and its vapors are heavier than air, they can travel along the floor to a distant ignition source and flash back. Safe storage is mostly about controlling those vapors and keeping ignition sources away. Below is the practical detail, drawn from the acetone Safety Data Sheet and OSHA flammable-liquid standards — not a substitute for reading the SDS for your specific lot.

What makes acetone a storage hazard?

Acetone is one of the most useful solvents in industry, but its physical properties make it demanding to store. Its flash point sits far below room temperature, its vapors are denser than air, and it forms flammable mixtures across a wide range of concentrations. The table below summarizes the properties that drive storage decisions.

Figures reflect the RightPath acetone product page and the OSHA/NIOSH Pocket Guide entry for acetone. Always verify against your current SDS.

Where should acetone be stored?

Keep acetone in a dedicated flammable-liquids storage area — a listed flammable-storage cabinet for small quantities, or a detached/rated storage room for larger volumes — that meets OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106. The area should be cool, dry, and mechanically ventilated, with containers kept out of direct sunlight and away from heat.

What temperature should acetone be stored at?

Store acetone below 25°C (77°F) whenever possible and never near heat sources, steam lines, or in unconditioned spaces that can spike in summer. Lower temperatures reduce vapor pressure and evaporative loss, and keep drums from pressurizing.

Do you need a flammable cabinet for acetone?

For most workplace quantities, yes. A listed flammable-storage cabinet is the simplest way to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106, which caps how much flammable liquid you can keep outside an approved cabinet or storage room. A proper cabinet is double-walled steel with a leak-tight sill, self-closing doors, and vent bungs, and it keeps acetone segregated from ignition sources. Match the cabinet’s rated capacity to how much acetone you actually keep on hand, and never store oxidizers in the same cabinet.

What should acetone be kept away from?

Keep acetone separated from strong oxidizers (nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, chromic acid, and similar), which can react violently. Keep it away from open flames, sparks, hot surfaces, and static-generating operations. Store it apart from incompatible chemicals rather than co-mingling drums on the same pallet.

Where do you find acetone’s official storage specs?

Always confirm storage temperature, incompatibilities, and handling against the current acetone Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for your specific grade and supplier — the SDS Section 7 (handling and storage) and Section 10 (stability and reactivity) are the authoritative reference. RightPath provides an SDS with every acetone order; do not rely on generic figures for a tightly controlled process.

What PPE and controls do you need to handle acetone?

Use chemical splash goggles and a face shield for pouring, plus gloves made from a material rated for ketones — butyl rubber offers good resistance, while nitrile and latex break through quickly. Work in ventilated areas, bond and ground containers during transfer to prevent static discharge, and keep a Class B fire extinguisher accessible. Use non-sparking tools around open containers.

For spills, eliminate ignition sources first, ventilate, and absorb with a non-combustible absorbent (never sawdust). Consult the SDS and your site emergency plan before responding to anything beyond a minor spill.

How long does acetone last in storage?

Sealed, uncontaminated acetone stored correctly typically remains usable for two or more years, though it slowly absorbs atmospheric moisture once opened because it is fully miscible with water. For analytical and high-purity uses, rotate stock first-in-first-out, keep containers tightly closed, and re-test older lots against your specification before use. Lot control (available from RightPath) makes this traceable.

What grades and sizes of acetone does RightPath stock?

RightPath Industries supplies acetone (CAS 67-64-1) in multiple grades to match your application, from technical and industrial through higher-purity solvent grades. We fill from small packaging up to bulk, with lot control available for tightly specified processes.

See the full acetone product page and browse related solvents in our catalog.

How do you order acetone from RightPath?

Request a quote through the RightPath pricing form, call 888-255-2401, or email sales@rightpathind.com. Tell us the grade, packaging size, and quantity you need, and we will cross-reference your current material, confirm availability, and can sequester and lot-control stock at one of our three U.S. warehouses for just-in-time delivery.

Request bulk pricing: Get an acetone quote →

Frequently asked questions

Is acetone flammable?

Yes. Acetone is a Class IB flammable liquid with a flash point of −20°C (−4°F), well below room temperature. Its vapors form ignitable mixtures in air and can travel to distant ignition sources, so it must be stored away from all heat, sparks, and flames.

Can acetone be stored in plastic containers?

Acetone is compatible with HDPE and metal for short-to-medium term storage but attacks many other plastics (PET, polystyrene, PVC). Use only the original container or a container material explicitly rated for acetone, and keep it tightly sealed.

Does acetone need to be stored in a flammable cabinet?

For most workplace quantities, yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 limits how much flammable liquid can be stored outside a listed flammable-storage cabinet or approved storage room. Check your quantities against the standard and your local fire code.

What should you not store near acetone?

Do not store acetone near strong oxidizers such as nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, or chromic acid, or near ignition sources, heat, and direct sunlight. Keep it segregated from incompatible chemicals.

How should an acetone spill be handled?

Remove ignition sources, ventilate the area, and absorb small spills with a non-combustible absorbent. For larger releases, follow the SDS and your site’s emergency response plan and use appropriate PPE.

How do you dispose of acetone?

Waste acetone is a regulated hazardous waste in most cases and must not be poured down the drain. Collect it in a labeled, compatible waste container, keep it away from oxidizers and ignition sources, and route it through a licensed hazardous-waste hauler in line with EPA/RCRA and local rules. Check the SDS Section 13 (disposal) for your material.

Sources & links: Acetone product page · Solvents category · External authority: NIOSH/OSHA Pocket Guide — Acetone