☣️ UN 1043 • CLASS 2
UN 1043 — Fertilizer, ammoniating solution, with free ammonia
Placard: Non-Flammable Gas. ERG Guide 125. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
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⚠️ This page is a quick-reference aid. For real incidents: stage upwind, isolate, deny entry, request Hazmat early, and consult the current ERG + SOP/SOG.
Fertilizer ammoniating solution with free ammonia is a toxic and corrosive substance that can be fatal if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. The solution has a pungent, suffocating ammonia odor and may release visible white vapor clouds.
Hazard overview: The vapors of UN 1043 are extremely irritating and corrosive, and may cause severe respiratory damage. Prolonged exposure can also cause skin and eye irritation.
Response guidance: In case of a spill or leak, isolate the area immediately and evacuate downwind. Use water spray to absorb vapors and avoid direct water streams on leaks.
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UN 1043 Quick Details
UN 1043
Product name: Fertilizer, ammoniating solution, with free ammonia
DOT Class: 2
Placard type: Non-Flammable Gas
ERG Guide: 125 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 125: isolate spill 100m all directions; initial evacuation 800m downwind during daytime, 2500m at night or if large spill
Common Hazards of UN 1043
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive.
- Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Some may burn but none ignite readily.
- Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.
- Some of these materials may react violently with water.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
The solution is a clear to slightly yellowish liquid with a pungent, suffocating ammonia odor, and may release visible white vapor clouds when exposed to moist air.
| Also known as | Ammoniating solutionAmmoniated fertilizer solutionAnhydrous ammonia solutionFree ammonia fertilizer solution |
| Appearance | Clear to slightly yellowish liquid with a pungent, suffocating ammonia odor. May release visible white vapor clouds, especially when exposed to moist air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable compressed gas solution) |
| Boiling Point | Varies with ammonia concentration; ammonia component boils at -33C (-28F) |
| Vapor Density | 0.6 (lighter than air for ammonia vapors) |
| Water Reactivity | Dissolves readily in water, releasing heat and forming corrosive ammonium hydroxide solution |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1043
Extinguishing Media
Water spray to absorb vapors, no foam required; avoid direct water streams on leaks
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit, butyl rubber gloves; face shield and eye protection mandatory
Level B minimum protective equipment is required, including SCBA, full chemical-resistant suit, butyl rubber gloves, face shield, and eye protection, due to the toxic and corrosive nature of UN 1043.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 125: isolate spill 100m all directions; initial evacuation 800m downwind during daytime, 2500m at night or if large spill
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 125).
First Actions for a UN 1043 Incident
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1043 — Fertilizer, ammoniating solution, with fHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1043
Product: Fertilizer, ammoniating solution, with free ammonia
Class 2 / Non-Flammable Gas / ERG 125
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit, butyl rubber gloves; face shield and eye protection mandatory
ISOLATION: ERG 125: isolate spill 100m all directions; initial evacuation 800m downwind during daytime, 2500m at night or if large spill
ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO
Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING ===
UN 1043 — Fertilizer, ammoniating solution, with free ammonia
Class: 2 | Placard: Non-Flammable Gas | ERG Guide: 125
Appearance: Clear to slightly yellowish liquid with a pungent, suffocating ammonia odor. May release visible white vapor clouds, especially when exposed to moist air.
Water Reactivity: Dissolves readily in water, releasing heat and forming corrosive ammonium hydroxide solution
Extinguishing: Water spray to absorb vapors, no foam required; avoid direct water streams on leaks
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit, butyl rubber gloves; face shield and eye protection mandatory
Isolation: ERG 125: isolate spill 100m all directions; initial evacuation 800m downwind during daytime, 2500m at night or if large spill
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive.
• Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
— First Actions —
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
• Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1043 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN1043 Fertilizer, ammoniating solution, with free ammonia Cls2 ERG125 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1043SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/fertilizer-ammoniating-solution-with-un-1043
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1043
Yes, UN 1043 is toxic and may be fatal if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.
UN 1043 has a pungent, suffocating ammonia odor.
UN 1043 dissolves readily in water, releasing heat and forming a corrosive ammonium hydroxide solution.
Sources (high level): DOT/PHMSA marking & class concepts + ERG usage principles.
This page does not reproduce ERG guide text—always consult the current ERG for incident-specific protective actions.