- CHEMICAL DANGERS:
- A poisonous, visible vapor cloud is produced from contact of ammonia with water.
- Ammonia dissolves readily in water evolving heat (exothermic), to form ammonium hydroxide a corrosive, alkaline solution.
- Ammonia forms shock sensitive compounds with mercury, silver, and gold oxides.
- Ammonia reacts violently with strong oxidants, acids, halogens, and many heavy metals.
- Ammonia is corrosive to copper and galvanized surfaces.
- When ammonia is heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes and nitrogen oxides.
- Liquid ammonia will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings.
- EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
- When ammonia mixes with gas and/or air it forms an explosive mixture.
- Lower explosive (flammable) limit in air (LEL), 15%; upper explosive (flammable) limit in air (UEL), 28%.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Ruptured cylinders may rocket.
- FIRE FIGHTING INFORMATION:
- Ammonia is flammable.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive, and/or toxic gases.
- Never direct water jet straight at liquid ammonia.
- For small fires use dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
- For large fires use water spray, fog, or regular foam. Move containers from the fire area if possible to do so without risk to personnel. Do not get water inside containers. Damaged cylinders should be handled by a specialist only.
- For fire involving tanks, fight fire from a maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety device; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or discoloration of tank. Always stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
- Run-off from fire control may cause pollution.
- If the situation allows, control and properly dispose of run-off (effluent).
- INITIAL ISOLATION AND PROTECTIVE ACTION DISTANCES:
- When UN 1005 (anhydrous, liquefied), UN 2073 (35% to 50%), or UN 3318 (> 50%) is involved in a tank, rail car, or tank truck fire:
- Isolate it for 1 mi (1600 m) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1 mi (1600 m) in all directions.
- When UN 2672 (10% to 35%) is involved in a tank, rail car, or tank truck is fire:
- Isolate it for 0.5 mi (800 m) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 0.5 mi (800 m) in all directions.
- When UN 1005 (anhydrous, liquefied) or UN 3318 (> 50%) is involved in small spills (involving the release of approximately 52.83 gallons (200 liters) or less):
- First isolate in all directions: 100 ft (30 m).
- Then protect persons downwind during the day: 0.1 mi (0.1 km).
- Then protect persons downwind during the night: 0.1 mi (0.1 km).
- When UN 1005 (anhydrous, liquefied) or UN 3318 (> 50%) is involved in large spills (involving quantities greater than 52.83 gallons (200 liters)):
- First isolate in all directions: 200 ft (60 m).
- Then protect persons downwind during the day: 0.4 mi (0.6 km).
- Then protect persons downwind during the night: 1.4 mi (2.2 km).
- When UN 2073 (35% to 50%) is involved:
- This agent is not included in the DOT ERG 2004 Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- In the DOT ERG 2004 orange-bordered section of the guidebook, there are public safety recommendations to immediately isolate an ammonia (Guide 125) spill or leak area for at least 330 ft (100 m) in all directions.
- When UN 2672 (10% to 35%) is involved:
- This agent is not included in the DOT ERG 2004 Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- In the DOT ERG 2004 orange-bordered section of the guidebook, there are public safety recommendations to immediately isolate an ammonia (Guide 154) spill or leak area for at least 150 ft (50 m) for liquids and 75 ft (25 m) for solids in all directions.
- PHYSICAL DANGERS:
- Ammonia gas is lighter than air. However, under certain conditions, when compressed liquified ammonia gas initially escapes a cylinder and comes into contact with moisture in the air it will form an ammonia fog. This fog is likeley to remain low to the ground, and could prevent ammonia gas from rising in the air.
- Dangerous concentrations of ammonia gas will occur quickly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
- NFPA 704 Signal:
- Health: 3
- Flammability: 1
- Reactivity: 0
- Special:
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- SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS:
- OSHA: ID188
- NIOSH: 6015, 6016
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