☣️ UN 1517 • CLASS 4

UN 1517 — Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water

Placard: Flammable Solid. ERG Guide 113. 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.

UN 1517 is Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water, a wetted energetic Class 4 material assigned to ERG Guide 113. Water lowers sensitivity during transport, but drying can turn the material into an explosive hazard.

Hazard overview: UN 1517 presents flammable solid, toxic exposure and dry-out explosive hazards. If the material dries, is fire-exposed or is handled roughly, it may react violently; responders should avoid friction, impact and unnecessary movement.

Response guidance: For a UN 1517 incident, responders should verify the product with shipping papers, package markings, SDS and ERG Guide 113. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, prevent incompatible contact and choose extinguishing or spill-control actions based on ERG, SDS and local SOP.

Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 1517 should emphasize wetted energetic material, dry-out explosion risk, gentle handling, explosive specialist notification and the difference between wetted and dried material. Use ERG 113, SDS and incident command.

Regulatory context: Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Transportation, workplace exposure, spill reporting, waste handling, storage and environmental requirements may vary by formulation, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, facility documents and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.

Storage & handling: Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water should be stored only in approved packaging with required wetting agent maintained, away from heat, friction, shock, ignition sources and unauthorized access. Drying, damaged packaging or leakage should be treated as a serious escalation and handled under SDS and explosive-material procedures.

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UN 1517 Quick Details

UN 1517
Product name: Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water
DOT Class: 4
Placard type: Flammable Solid
ERG Guide: 113 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 113: isolate spill 25m all directions; if fire or dried material suspected, isolate 800m all directions and evacuate immediate area

Common Hazards of UN 1517

  • WETTED energetic solid; water reduces sensitivity but the material may become explosive if it dries.
  • Dried-out material may explode if exposed to heat, flame, friction, shock or impact.
  • May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames while wetted.
  • Picramate-type material may be toxic and may be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact.
  • Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
  • Runoff may spread contamination and may carry energetic residue.
  • If drying, fire exposure or damaged packaging is suspected, treat the material as an explosive hazard.

Chemical Identity & Physical Properties

Yellow to orange crystalline solid. Odorless or slight characteristic odor. Shipped wetted with at least 20% water to reduce explosion hazard.

Also known asZirconium picramate wettedPicramate of zirconiumZirconium 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate wetted
AppearanceYellow to orange crystalline solid. Odorless or slight characteristic odor. Shipped wetted with at least 20% water to reduce explosion hazard.
Flash PointNot applicable (wetted explosive solid)
Boiling PointNot applicable (decomposes)
Vapor DensityNot applicable (solid)
Water ReactivityWater is used as desensitizer; maintain minimum 20% water content at all times
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.

Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1517

Extinguishing Media

Water spray or fog may be used to maintain required wetting only when safe and directed by incident command. If material is dry or fire-involved, withdraw and treat as an explosive hazard.

PPE Requirements

⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required; full protective clothing; avoid shock, friction, or heat; explosion hazard if dried

Use positive-pressure SCBA for fire, vapor or dust exposure. Chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing should be selected from SDS, but distance, gentle handling, wetting control and explosive-specialist support are more important than PPE if the material is dry or fire-exposed.

Isolation & Evacuation

ERG 113: isolate spill 25m all directions; if fire or dried material suspected, isolate 800m all directions and evacuate immediate area
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 113).

First Actions for a UN 1517 Incident

  • CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available.
  • Keep unauthorized personnel away.
  • Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
  • Avoid friction, shock, impact or unnecessary handling of packages or spilled material.
  • Keep the material wetted according to product guidance and prevent drying when it is safe and authorized to do so.
  • If material is dry, fire-exposed or package condition is uncertain, treat it as an explosive hazard and withdraw.
  • Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped and authorized by incident command.
  • Isolate the area and request hazmat plus explosive specialist support when drying or fire involvement is suspected.
  • Use ERG Guide 113, shipping papers, SDS and incident command for isolation and protective action decisions.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card

UN 1517 — Zirconium picramate, wetted with not les
HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1517 Product: Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water Class 4 / Flammable Solid / ERG 113 PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full protective clothing; avoid shock, friction, or heat; explosion hazard if dried ISOLATION: ERG 113: isolate spill 25m all directions; if fire or dried material suspected, isolate 800m all directions and evacuate immediate area ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO

Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.

SMS WhatsApp
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING === UN 1517 — Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water Class: 4 | Placard: Flammable Solid | ERG Guide: 113 Appearance: Yellow to orange crystalline solid. Odorless or slight characteristic odor. Shipped wetted with at least 20% water to reduce explosion hazard. Water Reactivity: Water is used as desensitizer; maintain minimum 20% water content at all times Extinguishing: Water spray or fog may be used to maintain required wetting only when safe and directed by incident command. If material is dry or fire-involved, withdraw and treat as an explosive hazard. PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full protective clothing; avoid shock, friction, or heat; explosion hazard if dried Isolation: ERG 113: isolate spill 25m all directions; if fire or dried material suspected, isolate 800m all directions and evacuate immediate area — Key Hazards — • WETTED energetic solid; water reduces sensitivity but the material may become explosive if it dries. • Dried-out material may explode if exposed to heat, flame, friction, shock or impact. • May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames while wetted. — First Actions — • CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available. • Keep unauthorized personnel away. • Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream. • Avoid friction, shock, impact or unnecessary handling of packages or spilled material. SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/zirconium-picramate-wetted-with-un-1517 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING

Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.

SMS (short)
UN1517 Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water Cls4 ERG113 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/zirconium-picramate-wetted-with-un-1517SMS / 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/zirconium-picramate-wetted-with-un-1517

Related UN Numbers in Class 4

Discovery block for training / quick reference. Always consult the current ERG + your SOP/SOG for operations.
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1517

UN 1517 is Zirconium picramate, wetted with not less than 20% water, a hazardous material assigned to ERG Guide 113.

It is a flammable solid while wetted, and dry material may become explosive if exposed to heat, friction or shock.

ERG Guide 113 applies to UN 1517 for initial isolation, protective actions and first response guidance.

UN 1517 presents flammable solid, toxic exposure and dry-out explosive hazards. If the material dries, is fire-exposed or is handled roughly, it may react violently; responders should avoid friction, impact and unnecessary movement.

Drying can greatly increase sensitivity and may create an explosive hazard; avoid friction, shock, impact and unnecessary handling.

Use positive-pressure SCBA for fire, vapor or dust exposure. Chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing should be selected from SDS, but distance, gentle handling, wetting control and explosive-specialist support are more important than PPE if the material is dry or fire-exposed.
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.