UN 3344 — Pentaerythritol tetranitrate mixture, desensitized, solid, n.o.s., with more than 10% but not more than 20% PETN
Placard: Flammable Solid. ERG Guide 113. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 3344 is Pentaerythritol tetranitrate mixture, desensitized, solid, n.o.s., with more than 10% but not more than 20% PETN, a desensitized PETN solid mixture assigned to ERG Guide 113. Drying, friction and heat can increase explosive sensitivity.
Hazard overview: FLAMMABLE desensitized PETN mixture; drying or loss of desensitizer can increase explosive sensitivity. Heat, flame, friction, shock, contamination or confinement can trigger violent decomposition. Dust or dry residue may be more sensitive than intact desensitized material.
Response guidance: For UN 3344, isolate the area, avoid shock/friction/heat/drying and use remote protected tactics. Treat dried or heated material as explosive under ERG 113.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 3344 should emphasize desensitized explosive hazards, drying sensitivity, remote isolation, evacuation triggers, SCBA use and specialist disposal. Use ERG 113, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Pentaerythritol tetranitrate mixture, desensitized, solid, n.o.s., with more than 10% but not more than 20% PETN is regulated as a hazardous material for transport and emergency response. Storage, reporting, exposure, waste and incident-notification duties depend on quantity, package type, formulation and jurisdiction; verify shipping papers, SDS and authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Pentaerythritol tetranitrate mixture, desensitized, solid, n.o.s., with more than 10% but not more than 20% PETN should be stored in approved packages away from heat, friction, shock, contamination and drying. Maintain desensitizer/wetting condition and security controls.
UN 3344 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 3344
- FLAMMABLE desensitized PETN mixture; drying or loss of desensitizer can increase explosive sensitivity.
- Heat, flame, friction, shock, contamination or confinement can trigger violent decomposition.
- Dust or dry residue may be more sensitive than intact desensitized material.
- May burn rapidly and can transition to explosion if heated or confined.
- Fire may produce nitrogen oxides and toxic smoke.
- Runoff or debris may carry energetic residue requiring specialist disposal.
- Exact PETN percentage, desensitizer and moisture condition must be verified.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
White crystalline powder or solid, odorless. Desensitized mixture appears as granular solid or paste depending on formulation.
| Also known as | PETNPenthritePentaerythritol tetranitrateNitropentaPentritPENT |
| CAS Number | 78-11-5 |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or solid, odorless. Desensitized mixture appears as granular solid or paste depending on formulation. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (explosive solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes/explodes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water; however, drying of desensitized mixture increases explosive sensitivity |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3344
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA, full protective clothing and distance protection. Avoid friction, shock, heat and direct handling of dried or contaminated material.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 3344 Incident
- Call 911 and the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away and establish incident command.
- Stay upwind, uphill and upstream.
- Avoid breathing vapor, dust, gas, mist, smoke or aerosols and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Avoid heat, shock, friction, drying, contamination and unnecessary handling.
- Do not touch damaged containers, cylinders, packages or spilled material without proper training and PPE.
- Prevent contaminated liquid, dust, runoff, residue and decontamination waste from spreading.
- Ventilate confined spaces only after monitoring and only if properly trained and equipped.
- Use ERG Guide 113, SDS, shipping papers and monitoring to set isolation, evacuation and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3344 — Pentaerythritol tetranitrate mixture, deUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.