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What is NFPA: -

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an Non-profit international association that creates standards and codes for use by local governments. Most of these codes are safety related, including building codes, hazardous response procedures and codes that dictate the type of equipment local firefighters should use

 

What is NFPA 704/ NFPA Diamond: -

NFPA 704 provides a simple, readily recognized, easily understood system for identifying the specific hazards of a material and the severity of the hazard that would occur during an emergency response. The system addresses the health, flammability, instability, and special hazards presented from shortterm, acute exposures that could occur as a result of a fire, spill, or similar emergency.

 




The Blue Diamond, appearing on the left side of the label, conveys Health Hazard information for persons exposed to the material. A number from 0 to 4 is written in the blue diamond. The higher the number the higher the hazard, as follows:

0-No hazard.

1-Can cause irritation if not treated.

2-Can cause injury. Requires prompt treatment.                                                                                      

3-Can cause serious injury despite medical treatment.

4-Can cause death or major injury despite medical treatment.

 

The Red Diamond, appearing at the top of the label, conveys Flammability Hazard information. Again, the numbers 0 to 4 are used to rate the flammability hazard, as follows:              


0-Will not burn.

1-Ignites after considerable preheating.

2-Ignites if moderately heated.

3-Can be ignited at all normal temperatures.

4-Very flammable gases or very volatile flammable liquids.

 

The Yellow Diamond, appearing at the right side of the label, conveys Reactivity (or Stability) information. The numbers 0 to 4 are also used to rank reactivity hazards, as follows:



0-Normally stable. Not reactive with water.

1-Normally stable. Unstable at high temperature and pressure. Reacts with water.

2-Normally unstable but will not detonate.

3-Can detonate or explode but requires strong initiating force or heating under confinement.

4-Readily detonates or explodes.

 

The white diamond, appearing at the bottom of the label, conveys Special Hazard information. This information is conveyed by use of symbols that represent the special hazard. Some of the common symbols are shown here:


W denotes the material is water reactive

OX denotes an oxidizing agent

COR denotes a corrosive hazard

ALK denotes an Alkali hazard

ACID denotes an Acid hazard

 

Examples: -

1) Methanol: -



Health: 1 (Slight)
Materials that, on exposure, would cause significant irritation, but only minor residual injury, including those requiring the use of an approved air-purifying respirator. These materials are only slightly hazardous to health and only breathing protection is needed.

Flammability: 3 (Serious)
This degree includes Class IB and IC flammable liquids and materials that can be easily ignited under almost all normal temperature conditions. Water may be ineffective in controlling or extinguishing fires in such materials.

Instability: 0 (Minimal)
This degree includes materials that are normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and that do not react with water. Normal fire fighting procedures may be used.

 

2) Sulphuric Acid:-


 Health

3

Can cause serious or permanent injury.

Red Flammability

0

Will not burn under typical fire conditions.

Yellow Instability

2

Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.

White Special

W

Reacts violently or explosively with water.

 


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