NFPA Labeling Guide

Introduction
The NFPA 704 standard protects the health and safety of individuals who respond to fire and chemical emergencies in facilities or storage locations where the hazards of materials are not readily apparent or known. The standard addresses the health, flammability, instability and related hazards that are presented by short-term, acute exposure to a material during a fire, spill or other emergency-related condition. NFPA 704 is a simple, recognizable and easily understood marking system that provides a general idea of the severity of the hazards of a material. The standard applies to industrial, commercial and institutional facilities that manufacture, process, use or store hazardous materials.

Hazard Symbols
A system of categories, colors and numbers was created to provide basic hazard information. It enables firefighters and other emergency personnel to easily decide whether or not to evacuate an area or proceed with emergency control operations. The three principal categories of identification are Health, Flammability and Instability. A numerical range of 0 to 4 indicates the severity of the hazard. A 4 indicates the most severe and a 0 indicates a minimal hazard. The information is presented in a color and spatial arrangement of the numerical ratings: Health Hazard, blue, at the 9 oclock position; Flammability Rating, red, at the 12 oclock position; and the Instability Rating, yellow, at the 3 oclock position. Alternately, the square-on-point field is permitted to be any contrast of color. If this is the case, then the numbers themselves must be colored coded. The fourth space at the 6 oclock position is reserved for indicating unusual reactivity with water. It is designated by the letter W with a line through the center. No special color is associated with this symbol. If the space isnt needed to indicate reactivity with water, only then can the space be used to indicate other unusual hazards. For example, materials that possess oxidizing properties are identified by the letters OX.

What Needs To Be On a Label

Chemical manufacturers or distributors must provide the following information on chemicals that leave their facility: Identity of the hazardous chemical(s), appropriate hazard warnings, and name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer or other responsible party. [29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(i)] The employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following information: Identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained therein and appropriate hazard warnings. [29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5)]

Please ensure the entire label is complete.

NFPA Labeling Guide

Health Hazard

4 3 2 1 0 4 3 2 1 0 4 3 2 1 0

Very short exposure could cause death or serious residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given. Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given. Intense or continued exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury unless prompt medical attention is given. Exposure could cause irritation but only minor residual injury even if no treatment is given. Exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible materials.

Flammability
Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient conditions. Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high temperature before ignition can occur. Must be preheated before ignition can occur. Materials that will not burn.

Readily capable of detonation or of explosive decomposition or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures. Capable of detonation or explosive reaction, but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation, or reacts explosively with water. Normally unstable and readily undergo violent decomposition but do not detonate. Also: may react violently with water or may form potentially explosive mixtures with water Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures or may react with water with some release of energy, but not violently. Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and are not reactive with water.

Special Hazards
This section is used to denote special hazards. There are only two NFPA 704 approved symbols:

OX

This denotes an oxidizer, a chemical which can greatly increase the rate of combustion/fire Unusual reactivity with water. This indicates a potential hazard using water to fight a fire involving this material.