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.
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.