NFPA is recognized throughout the world as the leading authoritative source of technical background, data, and consumer advice on fire protection and prevention. Formerly known as the National Fire Protection Association, the NFPA has changed its name to use the acronym only. Headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, it is an international, nonprofit (tax-exempt), membership organization founded in 1896. Today, its membership totals more than 75,000 individuals from around the world and more than 80 national trade and professional organizations.
NFPA has a hazard identification marking system that it developed in 1961. The system was intended to provide basic information to emergency personnel so they can evaluate what fire fighting techniques to employ when they enter a scene where hazardous materials are present. The system does not provide any detailed hazard information, but it has been adopted as an in-plant hazard communication labeling system as long as training regarding the system is provided.
There are three categories of hazards identified by the NFPA system:
Five divisions ranging from zero (no hazard) to four (severe hazard) indicate the degree of severity for each hazard numerically.
The square-on-point label contains four colored squares with a number appearing in each square. The blue square indicates health hazard, the red square represents flammability, and the yellow square indicates instability. The fourth square represents a special hazard, such as unusual reactivity with water. The usual symbol for alerting fire fighting personnel to the possible hazard of using water is the letter W with a line through it.