Know Your Chemicals App User Guide

What is the Know Your Chemicals app?

The Know Your Chemicals app was designed by NPSA for emergency services personnel, to enable users to identify, learn about, and log chemicals of concern at a scene. It contains a database of poisons and chemicals that can be used as precursors to Home Made Explosives or chemical agents. Each chemical has details such as form, colour, odour, hazards and legitimate uses.

This list is not exhaustive – there are many chemicals that could potentially be used for harmful material manufacture, and users should keep this in mind when using the app.

Who has access to the Know Your Chemicals app?

The app is available to all emergency services personnel and government staff whose work relates to Home Made Explosives or other hazardous materials.

NPSA recommend that all emergency service personnel have access to the app, especially if in an operational role. This will provide all personnel with a reference guide to chemicals of concern, so if they come across them while on duty, they have a tool at hand which can help them identify illicit activity. Staff should then follow their regular procedures if chemicals are found, for example, contacting a dedicated person within their region, and as such, using the app should only enable easier identification of chemicals, and not change how these scenes are handled.

Procedures for the reporting and handling of scenes where these chemicals are present varies between services. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each service to determine how the app should fit into their existing protocols and ensure all staff are aware of the correct procedures to follow. 

How to access the Know Your Chemicals app?

1. Download the Know Your Chemicals app from either the Google or Apple app store, or your internal IT app system onto your work-issued device.

 

 

2. When prompted, enter your work email address to verify your identity.

3. If approved, you will be sent an email with a verification code. This can sometimes go into your junk folder, so please check that as well as your main inbox. The code needs to be entered into the app in a timely manner. Sometimes the verification email can be blocked by internal firewalls – if this happens, then you can use the alternative verification method displayed on the app.

How should the app be used?

The app should be used as an additional reference tool for staff that helps them to identify specific chemicals of concern in relation to Home Made Explosives or other hazardous material manufacture. It should not be used as a replacement for any part of existing procedures relating to these types of materials. The app does not provide advice on decisions or actions to be taken. Expert advice should always be sought in these situations – the app does not replace advice
from experts on how to manage scenes where these chemicals are suspected to be present.

The app is classified at OFFICIAL, which means that it contains information that should only be made available to those that require it to carry out their role. If the app is misused, NPSA have the right to remove access. Misuse is not limited to, but includes:

• sharing information within the app outside of the emergency services, or specific government departments
• Reproducing or publishing any content included in the app, in part or in full
• Retaining the app when it is no longer required for your role
• Using the information in the app for anything outside of your role

This app is only available to those with access to approved email domains, and you will need to verify your account on a regular basis. 
This app should only be downloaded onto work-issued devices where available.

Please note – this app is subject to user analytics, which are reported to NPSA.

If you no longer require access to the app, it is your responsibility to delete the app and data from your device.