UN 0220 — Urea nitrate, dry
Placard: Explosive 1.1D. ERG Guide 112. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 0220, Urea Nitrate (also known as Carbamide Nitrate or Urea Mononitrate), is a dry crystalline explosive classified as a Class 1.1D mass explosion hazard. Emergency responders must treat any incident involving this material with extreme caution due to its sensitivity to heat, shock, and friction.
Hazard overview: UN 0220 presents a mass explosion hazard, meaning the entire load may detonate simultaneously, producing severe blast overpressure and fragmentation capable of causing casualties at significant distances. The material is sensitive to heat, shock, and friction, making any physical disturbance or fire exposure a potentially catastrophic trigger.
Response guidance: For any incident involving UN 0220, establish an immediate isolation zone of at least 500 meters in all directions and expand downwind evacuation to 1,600 meters if fire is present or imminent. Do not apply water to bulk quantities of Urea Nitrate, as this creates a disposal hazard; use dry chemical or sand only for small, contained fires.
UN 0220 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 0220
- Mass explosion hazard — entire load may detonate simultaneously.
- Severe blast overpressure and fragmentation.
- Sensitive to heat, shock, and friction.
- Secondary fire and debris hazard.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
UN 0220 Urea Nitrate is a white to pale yellow odorless crystalline solid that is hygroscopic and prone to caking or clumping when exposed to moisture.
| Also known as | Carbamide nitrateUrea mononitrateNitro ureaUranitraat |
| CAS Number | 124-47-0 |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow crystalline solid. Odorless. Hygroscopic and may cake or clump in moist conditions. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (explosive solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes/detonates before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Dissolves in water; reduces sensitivity but creates disposal hazard |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 0220
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Responders must wear a minimum of Level B protection with a full face shield and mandatory SCBA, while keeping the number of personnel in the hazard zone to an absolute minimum.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 0220 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper.
- Establish large isolation zone — minimum 500 meters in all directions.
- Stage upwind, uphill; limit personnel to essential responders only.
- Request Hazmat + law enforcement + additional resources immediately.
- Do not fight fire — evacuate and isolate; let burn if no life safety risk.
- Protect exposures only if safe and directed by command.
- Consult current ERG Guide 112 and follow SOP/SOG.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 0220 — Urea nitrate, dryUse 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.