NFPA labeling system

Scope

One of its consensus standards, NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response, offers a marking system to help emergency responders determine chemical hazards in a building or storage area. This NFPA® system uses a square-on-point configuration with:

• Four hazard quadrants to depict health (blue), flammability (red), instability (yellow), and special hazards (white); and
• Five ratings ranging from zero (no hazard) to four (severe hazard) to indicate the degree of severity for each hazard. Plus, special hazards are depicted by certain letters.

Regulatory citations

• None, but an NFPA labeling system could be used as an in-house labeling option under the Hazard Communication Standard at 1910.1200(f)(6).

Key definitions

• National Fire Protection Association (or NFPA) is a leading expert in fire safety and prevention.

Summary of requirements

• An NFPA labeling system could be used as an in-house labeling option under the Hazard Communication Standard at 1910.1200(f)(6).
• Warnings for emergency personnel. Emergency personnel benefit from this hazardous identification marking system because they can tell from a distance what caution to use in approaching a container, or handling a fire. When an employer receives a package or freight container of hazardous materials, OSHA requires at 1910.1201 that the appropriate DOT markings be retained on the packaging or freight container until the hazardous materials, vapors, or residue are sufficiently removed to prevent any potential hazards. For non-bulk packages which will not be reshipped, the requirements of this section are met if a label or other acceptable marking remains on the package according to the Hazard Communication standard at 1910.1200. Retaining NFPA and DOT labels provides emergency personnel with valuable, often life-saving, information about the unknown contents of packages and containers.
• Rating summary
  • Health (Blue)
    • 4 Danger: May be fatal on short exposure. Specialized protective equipment required
    • 3 Warning: Corrosive or toxic. Avoid skin contact or inhalation
    • 2 Warning: May be harmful if inhaled or absorbed
    • 1 Caution: May be irritating
    • 0: No unusual hazard
  • Flammability (Red)
    • 4 Danger: Flammable gas or extremely flammable liquid
    • 3 Warning: Flammable liquid flash point below 100° F
    • 2 Caution: Combustible liquid flash point of 100° to 200° F
    • 1: Combustible if heated
    • 0: Not combustible
  • Instability (Yellow)
    • 4 Danger: Explosive material at room temperature
    • 3 Danger: May be explosive if shocked, heated under confinement or mixed with water
    • 2 Warning: Unstable or may react violently if mixed with water
    • 1 Caution: May react if heated or mixed with water but not violently
    • 0 Stable: Not reactive when mixed with water
  • Special Notice Key (White)
    • W: Water Reactive
    • OX: Oxidizing Agent