NFPA 704 1

NFPA 704
NFPA 704

Fire diamond for Sodium borohydride

NFPA 704 is a standard maintained by the U.S.-based National Fire Protection Association. It defines the colloquial
"fire diamond" used by emergency personnel to quickly and easily identify the risks posed by nearby hazardous
materials. This is necessary to help determine what, if any, special equipment should be used, procedures followed,
or precautions taken during the first moments of an emergency response.

Symbolism
The four divisions are typically color-coded, with blue indicating level of health hazard, red indicating flammability,
yellow (chemical) reactivity, and white containing special codes for unique hazards. Each of health, flammability
and reactivity is rated on a scale from 0 (no hazard; normal substance) to 4 (severe risk).

Health (Blue) Flammability (Red)

4 Very short exposure could cause death or major residual 4 Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure
injury (e.g., hydrogen cyanide, phosphine) and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily
(e.g., propane). Flash point below 23C (73F)

3 Short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate 3 Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient
residual injury (e.g., chlorine gas) temperature conditions (e.g., gasoline). Liquids having a Flash
point below 23C (73F) and having a Boiling point at or above
38C (100F) or having a Flash point between 23C (73F) and
38C (100F)

2 Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient
temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury (e.g., temperature before ignition can occur (e.g., diesel fuel). Flash point
ethyl ether) between 38C (100F) and 93C (200F)

1 Exposure would cause irritation with only minor residual 1 Must be heated before ignition can occur (e.g., soybean oil). Flash
injury (e.g., acetone) point over 93C (200F)

0 Poses no health hazard, no precautions necessary (e.g., 0 Will not burn (e.g., water)
lanolin)

Instability/Reactivity (Yellow) Special (White)

4 Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at The white "special notice" area can contain several symbols. The
normal temperatures and pressures (e.g., nitroglycerine, following symbols are defined by the NFPA 704 standard.
RDX)

3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition but W Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner (e.g., cesium,
requires a strong initiating source, must be heated under sodium, sulfuric acid)
confinement before initiation, reacts explosively with water,
or will detonate if severely shocked (e.g. ammonium nitrate)

2 Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures Oxidizer (e.g., potassium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen
and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form OX peroxide)
explosive mixtures with water (e.g., phosphorus, potassium,
sodium)

1 Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated

temperatures and pressures (e.g. propene)

0 Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is

not reactive with water (e.g. helium)
NFPA 704 2

Non-Standard Symbols
Note: These symbols are not part of the NFPA 704 standard, but
are occasionally used in an unofficial manner. The use of
non-standard symbols or text may be permitted, required or
disallowed by the authority having jurisdiction (e.g., fire
department).
COR: Corrosive; strong acid or base (e.g. sulfuric acid,
potassium hydroxide)
ACID and ALK to be more specific
BIO or the biohazard symbol: Biological hazard (e.g., smallpox
virus)
POI: Poisonous (e.g. Strychnine)
(the Radioactive trefoil): is radioactive (e.g., plutonium,
Two plastic squirt bottles labeled with the NFPA 704
uranium) color code for hazardous materials identification.
CYL or CRYO: Cryogenic (e.g. Liquid Nitrogen)

References
1910.1200 OSHA Hazard Communication [1]
University of Oregon Chem Labs - NFPA Hazard Identification
System [2]

External links
NFPA 704 frequently asked questions [3] A particularly hazardous building's hazard
Pamphlet produced by the City of Milwaukee summarizing diamond sign.
NFPA 704 code requirements [4]
Listing of NFPA 704 ratings for many chemicals [5]

References
[1] http:/ / www. setonresourcecenter. com/ safety/ hazcom/ FR_59_6126%20Hazard_Communicaton. pdf
[2] http:/ / chemlabs. uoregon. edu/ Safety/ NFPA. html
[3] http:/ / www. nfpa. org/ faq. asp?categoryID=928
[4] http:/ / www. milwaukee. gov/ ImageLibrary/ User/ dnscms/ pdf/ broc/ hazmat12. pdf
[5] http:/ / webcomm. bcd. tamhsc. edu/ bcdfacilities/ msds_main. html
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