2. Anhydrous ammonia, a colorless gas with pungent, suffocating fumes, is used as an
agricultural fertilizer and industrial refrigerant. When handled improperly, anhydrous
ammonia can be immediately dangerous to life or health. It is a common nitrogen waste,
particularly among aquatic organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizer. It is
also used in many commercial and pharmaceutical products, mainly collected by downward
displacement of both air and water.
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
3. ABOUT AMMONIA
Ammonia has a molecular weight of 17, which makes it about half as dense as air. Ammonia is
exceedingly soluble in water (one volume of water will dissolve 1000 volumes of ammonia gas at
Standard Temperature and Pressure). Ammonia boils at -33.4°C (-28°F) and freezes at -77.7°C (-
108°F). Ammonia can be detected by the human nose with very small amounts present in the
atmosphere. Amounts as small as about 50 parts per million in air can be detected simply by sniffing.
Ammonia sharply irritates the eyes and air passages to the lungs. At high concentrations it makes
the lungs fill with fluid, which can QUICKLY cause death unless prompt medical aid is given. The
chemical formula for ammonia is NH3. The word "anhydrous" means "devoid of, or without
water". Therefore Anhydrous Ammonia is merely "pure ammonia" with no added water.
4. Industrial Refrigeration
Petroleum and Mining industries to
extract chemicals and ores.
Metal heat treating, annealing and
hardening. Heat recovery air
conditioning.
Production of Nitric Acid, Acid
neutralization in water treatment
facilities. Power plant stack emissions
reduction.
USES OF AMMONIA:
5. POTENTIAL HAZARDS
HEALTH
Ammonia may be fatal if inhaled. The vapors are extremely
irritating and corrosive. Contact with ammonia gas or
liquefied ammonia may cause burns to the skin, and in the
case of escaping ammonia gas, severe frostbite or freezing
of the skin and flesh. A fire at an ammonia source will
produce irritating corrosive and toxic gases. Runoff from
fire control efforts may cause ground and groundwater
pollution.
USES OF AMMONIA
One of the principle commercial uses of ammonia is as a refrigerant.
When a gas is liquefied, heat is given off; when a liquid evaporates,
heat is absorbed. Ammonia is compressed by pumps and becomes
hot; it is then cooled by water, which flows over the ammonia pipes.
When cool, the compressed ammonia liquefies. When pressure is
released, the liquid ammonia evaporates; in doing so it takes up heat.
The evaporation takes place in the pipes surrounded by a solution of
low freezing point containing calcium chloride or common salt. This
cooled solution is then piped to the skating rink where it freezes the
rink water surrounding the pipes. When the ammonia evaporates it is
usually reduced to temperature of below -33.4°C (-28°F).
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
Ammonia will not ignite in air. It will burn in pure
oxygen. Ammonia gas, while only about half as
dense as air is still heavy enough so that it will sink
to ground level instead of remaining suspended in
the air. Therefore, it will spread mostly along, or
near to, the ground, rather than blowing like a full
cloud. Containers of anhydrous ammonia are under
great pressure. Anhydrous ammonia containers may
explode when heated and cylinders may rocket
when ruptured.
your text here
PUBLIC SAFETY
Set up an initial isolation zone from the spill or leak for at least 300 feet in
ALL directions.
Remove all persons "crosswind" direction to outside the initial isolation zone.
Keep all unauthorized personnel away.
All personnel are to stay upwind of the spill/leak.
Since ammonia gas will spread along the ground...it will collect in low or
confined areas, such as, basements, ground depressions, underground access
points under manhole covers, etc. Therefore, all personnel are to stay out of
these low areas.
Closed spaces (even on the same level as the spill/leak) are to be well
ventilated before entering. Just opening doors and windows is not sufficient. If
ANY odor of ammonia is present, the ventilation must be forced by use of
large volume fans. Note: since ammonia in air is NOT flammable or explosive,
the use of Fire Department smoke ejector electric fans is permissible.
6. >Add your text here ,add
your text here, add your
text here add your text
here
TITLE HERE
7. HEALTH HAZARD
SPECIFIC HAZARD
OX Oxidizer
ALK Alkaline
W Use No Water
SA Simple Asphyxiant
ACID Acid
COR Corrosive
4 Deadly
3 Extreme Danger
2 Hazardous
1Slightly Hazardous
0 Normal Material
W
FIRE HAZARD Flash Points:
4 Below 73°F
3 Below 100°F
2 Below 200° F
1 Above 200° F
0 Will not burn
INSTABILITY
4 May detonate
3 Shock + Heat may detonate
2 Violent Chemical Change
1 Unstable if Heated
0 Stable
Radioactive
1
2
3
8. GUIDE 125
GASES - CORROSIVE
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
HEALTH
TOXIC: May be fatal if inhaled, ingested or
absorbed through skin. Vapors are extremely
irritating and corrosive. Contact with gas or
liquified gas may cause burns, severe injury and
or frostbites. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive
and or toxic gases, Runoff from fire control may
cause pollution.
FIRE AND EXPLOSION
Some may burn but none ignite readily. Vapors from
liquified gas are initially heavier than air and spread along
ground.
Some of these materials may react violently with
water.Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic
and or corrosive gas through pressure relief devices.
Containers may explode when heated. Rupture cylinders
may rocket.
For UN1005: Anhydrous ammonia, at high concentrations in
confined spaces, presenters a flammability risk if a source of
ignition is introduced.
SOURCE: ERG 2016
TWA (Time Weight Average) - 25 PPM
STEL (Short Time Exposure Limit 35 PPM
IDHL (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health - 500 PPM
9. RATING EXPLANATION GUIDE
Recommended
Protection
Susceptibility to
Burning
Susceptibility to
Energy Release
HEALTH FLAMMABLE INSTABILITY
Special full protective suit
and breathing apparatus
must be worn.
Special full protective suit
and breathing apparatus
must be worn.
Special full protective suit
and breathing apparatus
must be worn.
Breathing apparatus
may be worn.
No precautions
necessary.
Very flammable.
Ignites under normal
temperature conditions.
Ignites with moderate
heating.
Will not ignite.
Ignite when preheated.
May detonate under normal
conditions.
May detonate with shock
or heat.
Violent chemical change
but does not detonate.
Not stable if heated use
precautions.
Normally stable.
10. Add your text here ,add
your text here, add your
text here add your text
here
TITLE HERE
>
Add your text here add your text here, add your
text here add your text here, add your text
here.
Add your title here
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is a MUST. Use of
older "demand type" SCBA units should NOT be allowed.
Structural firefighting protective clothing is NOT effective in ammonia spill/leak
situations. It should be worn in FIRE situations only.
Chemical protective clothing should be worn. It must be remembered that
chemical protective clothing provides NO thermal protection.
EVACUATION
If ammonia is evident in a downwind direction at the edge of the initial isolation circle, then the isolation
zone must be extended out on the downwind side for at least an additional 1000feet (.2miles). The width of
this extended isolation zone beyond the initial isolation circle should be equal to the length of the zone, ie.
1000feet.
Evacuation areas may be altered due to varying weather conditions. Very light winds may shorten
evacuation areas, while strong winds may preclude increasing the evacuation area. Incident Command
should be cautious of wind direction and wind speed changes occurring during the operation. While
higher wind speeds will help to disperse the ammonia gas into the atmosphere more rapidly, it will also
extend the isolation area farther downwind during the early stages of the operation. Precipitation in any
form, drizzle, rain, snow, etc., may suppress the expansion of the ammonia cloud into the atmosphere, but
it will keep the cloud more dense in the initial area.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is a MUST. Use of older
"demand type" SCBA units should NOT be allowed.
Structural firefighting protective clothing is NOT effective in ammonia spill/leak situations.
It should be worn in FIRE situations only.
Chemical protective clothing should be worn. It must be remembered that chemical
protective clothing provides NO thermal protection.
EVACUATION
If ammonia is evident in a downwind direction at the edge of the initial isolation circle, then the
isolation zone must be extended out on the downwind side for at least an additional 1000feet
(.2miles). The width of this extended isolation zone beyond the initial isolation circle should be
equal to the length of the zone, ie. 1000feet.
Evacuation areas may be altered due to varying weather conditions. Very light winds may shorten
evacuation areas, while strong winds may preclude increasing the evacuation area. Incident
Command should be cautious of wind direction and wind speed changes occurring during the
operation. While higher wind speeds will help to disperse the ammonia gas into the atmosphere
more rapidly, it will also extend the isolation area farther downwind during the early stages of the
operation. Precipitation in any form, drizzle, rain, snow, etc., may suppress the expansion of the
ammonia cloud into the atmosphere, but it will keep the cloud more dense in the initial area.
11. FIRE
On small fires dry chemical or CO2 may be
used.
On large fires, water spray, fog, or regular
foam. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE THE
AMMONIA CONTAINERS.
Move undamaged containers from the fire area
if it can be done without risk.
Fires involving tanks:
Fight fires from a maximum distance using
unmanned hoses or monitors.
Cool containers with flooding quantities of
water until well after the fire is out.
DO NOT direct water at source of leak or
safety devices. ICING MAY OCCUR.
Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound
from venting safety devices or discoloration of
tank.
ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM ENDS OF TANKS.
12. SPILL OR LEAK
Fully encapsulating vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with
no fire.
Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
Stop leak if you can do so without risk.
If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid.
Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
DO NOT direct water at spill or source leak.
Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift.
Isolate area until gas has dispersed.
SPILL OR LEAK
Fully encapsulating vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire.
Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
Stop leak if you can do so without risk.
If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid.
Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
DO NOT direct water at spill or source leak.
Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift.
Isolate area until gas has dispersed.
13. 4.3
2.5
3.5
4.5
A B C D
CHART TITLE
ONE
TWO
THREE
FIRST AID
Skin or eye contact with gaseous or liquid ammonia and/or the ingestion of gaseous ammonia into the re
Move victim to fresh air.
Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim has in
Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
Remove contaminated shoes and clothing.
In case of contact with liquefied ammonia, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water.
Remember - THE EFFECTS OF CONTACT OR INHALATION MAY
Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the
nose, throaty and respiratory tract. This can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema and
airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure. Inhalation of lower
concentrations can cause coughing and nose throat irritation.
14. FIRST AID
Skin or eye contact with gaseous or liquid ammonia and/or the ingestion of gaseous ammonia into the
respiratory system creates a very serious condition. First Aid and medical treatment at the scene should only
be performed by qualified EMS personnel.
Move victim to fresh air.
Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim has inhaled
or ingested ammonia gas. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve.
Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
Remove contaminated shoes and clothing.
In case of contact with liquefied ammonia, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water.
Remember - THE EFFECTS OF CONTACT OR INHALATION MAY BE DELAYED
15. FirstAid for Anhydrous Ammonia Exposure
When anhydrous ammonia gas or liquid comes in contact with the human body, three types of injuries
may result:
1. Dehydration. Because of ammonia’s great attraction for water, NH3 will extract water from body
tissue.
2. Caustic burning. When ammonia comes into contact with body tissue, it combines with the water
in the tissue to form strong ammonium hydroxide that can chemically burn tissue.
3. Freezing. When NH3 liquid vaporizes, it pulls heat away from body tissue causing instant
frostbite. In addition, released liquid anhydrous ammonia has a temperature of -28°F.
16. THANK YOU AND HAVE A SAFE
DAY AHEAD.
Reece Cervantes Mas
