GHS hazard statement
H204: Fire or projection hazard
- H204
- Physical hazards
- Warning
H204 means “Fire or projection hazard”. It is a GHS hazard statement for Explosives (Category 2B), shown with GHS01 and GHS07 under the signal word “Warning”.
Hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | Pictogram | Signal word | UN transport class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explosives | Category 2B |  | Warning | Div 1.4 |
| Explosives | Category 2C |  | Warning | Div 1.4 |
What H204 means
Explosives are solid or liquid substances (or mixtures) that can, by chemical reaction, produce gas at such a temperature, pressure and speed that they damage their surroundings. Earlier GHS revisions (still used by OSHA HazCom) divide them into unstable explosives and divisions 1.1 to 1.6 according to the type of explosion hazard; newer UN GHS revisions group them into Categories 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, while the divisions remain in use for transport.
The material can explode, throw fragments or burn violently when exposed to heat, fire, shock, friction or sometimes simple handling. The more severe divisions can mass-explode.
What to do
Handle only after reading all precautions, keep well away from heat, sparks, open flames, friction and impact, use the quantities and storage the supplier specifies, and in a fire evacuate instead of fighting a fire that has reached the explosives.
This is general guidance for the hazard class. The safety data sheet for your product always takes precedence.
Precautionary statements for H204
The GHS lists these precautionary statements for this hazard. Which ones appear on a label depends on the supplier's classification.
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P203 | Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use. |
| P210 | Keep away from heat, hot surface, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking. |
| P230 | Keep wetted with ... |
| P234 | Keep only in original container. |
| P236 | Keep only in original packaging; Division .. in the transport configuration. |
| P240 | Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. |
| P250 | Do not subject to grinding/shock/friction/... |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/... |
| P370+P372+P380+P373 | In case of fire: Explosion risk. Evacuate area. DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives. |
| P401 | Store in accordance with ... |
| P503 | Refer to manufacturer/supplier... for information on disposal/recovery/recycling. |
| P370+P380+P375 | In case of fire: Evacuate area. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. |
Chemicals carrying H204
No chemicals in our database are classified with H204 yet.
H204 frequently asked questions
What does H204 mean?
H204 means "Fire or projection hazard". It is a GHS hazard statement in the physical hazards group, covering Explosives (Category 2B).
Which pictogram goes with H204?
H204 is shown with GHS01 (Exploding Bomb) and GHS07 (Exclamation Mark). By category: Category 2B: GHS01, signal word Warning; Category 2C: GHS07, signal word Warning.
What signal word goes with H204?
It depends on the category: Category 2B: GHS01, signal word Warning; Category 2C: GHS07, signal word Warning.
Which precautionary statements go with H204?
The GHS data lists 12 precautionary statements for H204, including P203, P210, P230, P234, P236. They cover prevention, response, storage and disposal. The full list is on this page.
Hazard statements describe the hazard of a classified substance or mixture. The classification of a specific product can differ, so use the supplier's SDS.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ghs/ghscode_10.txt (UN GHS Revision 10, retrieved 2026-10-12)