UN 2852 — Dipicryl sulphide, wetted with not less than 10% water
Placard: Flammable Solid. ERG Guide 113. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 2852 At a Glance
UN 2852 (Dipicryl sulphide, wetted with not less than 10% water) is listed as DOT Class 4 Flammable Solid and is assigned to ERG Guide 113. Use this page to review placard data, common hazards, PPE notes, isolation context, first actions, and related UN numbers.
Dipicryl sulphide, wetted with not less than 10% water is a nitroaromatic solid transported wetted to reduce explosive sensitivity. The first question in an incident is whether it is still adequately wetted.
Hazard overview: The wetted product is still a flammable solid, but dried material is the critical hazard. Drying, friction, heat, shock, or rough handling can turn a spill into an explosive situation.
Response guidance: Withdraw nonessential personnel, prevent drying, and avoid disturbing spilled material. Use water spray only to maintain wetting from a protected position and follow explosive-material guidance if dryness is suspected.
Firefighter training notes: Training should emphasize maintaining wetting, avoiding friction/shock, recognizing dried material, and requesting explosive-material specialists for UN 2852.
Regulatory context: Confirm required wetting level, packaging, SDS, shipping papers, and ERG 113; dried material may require explosive hazard procedures.
Storage & handling: Store in approved wetted condition away from heat, flame, friction, shock, drying conditions, and incompatible materials; inspect moisture content as required.
UN 2852 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2852
- Wetted flammable solid; water content is a critical desensitizer.
- Dried or drying material may explode from heat, friction, flame, shock, or impact.
- Fire can produce toxic nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and irritating smoke.
- Avoid actions that scatter, dry, grind, or compact the material.
- Runoff and residue may remain hazardous if contamination spreads.
- Containers exposed to fire may rupture or intensify the explosive hazard.
- Treat uncertain or dried material under explosive-material procedures.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Yellow to orange crystalline solid with no distinct odor. Explosive when dry; shipped wetted with at least 10% water as a desensitizer
| Also known as | Hexanitrodiphenyl sulfideBis(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) sulfidePicryl sulfideHNPS |
| CAS Number | 2217-06-3 |
| Appearance | Yellow to orange crystalline solid with no distinct odor. Explosive when dry; shipped wetted with at least 10% water as a desensitizer. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (explosive solid when dry) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes/explodes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water; water used as desensitizer |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2852
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
SCBA and chemical-resistant protection are needed for fire or spill conditions, but PPE does not remove the blast hazard; distance and specialist control are essential.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2852 Incident
- Call 911 and the emergency response number on shipping papers or the SDS.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away and isolate the area immediately.
- Stay upwind, uphill, and upstream; avoid shock, friction, heat, sparks, and open flame.
- Keep the material wetted if it can be done safely from a protected position.
- Treat dried or drying material as an explosive hazard and withdraw to a safe distance.
- Do not touch damaged containers or residue without explosive-qualified hazmat supervision.
- Use ERG 113/112, SDS, and shipping papers before moving or repackaging the material.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2852 — Dipicryl sulphide, wetted with not lessUse 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.