Free Fire Free Diamond
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"NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response" is a standard maintained by the U.S.-based National Fire Protection Association. First "tentatively adopted as a guide" in 1960,[1] and revised several times since then, it defines the "Safety Square" or "Fire Diamond" which is used to quickly and easily identify the risks posed by hazardous materials. This helps determine what, if any, special equipment should be used, procedures followed, or precautions taken during the initial stages of an emergency response. It is an internationally accepted safety standard, and is crucial while transporting chemicals.
The four divisions are typically color-coded with red on top indicating flammability, blue on the left indicating level of health hazard, yellow on the right for chemical reactivity, and white containing codes for special hazards. Each of health, flammability and reactivity is rated on a scale from 0 (no hazard) to 4 (severe hazard). The latest version of NFPA 704 sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 for the specifications of each classification are listed below. The numeric values in the first column are designated in the standard by "Degree of Hazard" using Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4), not to be confused with other classification systems, such as that in the NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, where flammable and combustible liquid categories are designated by "Class", using Roman numerals (I, II, III).[2]
The development of NFPA 704 is credited to the Charlotte Fire Department after a fire at the Charlotte Chemical Company in 1959 led to severe injuries to many of the firefighters.[3][4] Upon arrival, the fire crew found a fire burning inside a vat that firefighters assumed to be burning kerosene. The crew tried to suppress the fire, which resulted in the vat exploding due to metallic sodium being stored in the kerosene. Thirteen firefighters were injured, several of whom had critical injuries while one lost both ears and most of his face from the incident.
At the time, such vats were not labelled with the materials they contained, so firefighters did not have the necessary information to recognize that hazardous materials were present, which required a specific response. In this case, sodium was able to react with water to release hydrogen gas and large amounts of heat, which has the potential to explode.
The Charlotte Fire Department developed training to respond to fires involving hazardous materials, ensured that protective clothing was available to those responding, and expanded the fire prevention inspection program. Fire Marshal J. F. Morris developed the diamond shaped placard as a marking system to indicate when a building contained hazardous materials, with their levels of flammability, reactivity and health effects. [5]
Multi-colored fire diamonds, a common fixture on tanks and buildings, are a way of communicating risks quickly to firefighters, and other first responders. They can help determine a number of things like what precautions to take, procedures to follow, and equipment to use.
The fire diamond is part of the Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response (NFPA 704). In this type of standard, hazardous chemicals are classified into three principle categories: health, flammability, and instability. Each category is then rated on a scale of zero (least severe hazard) to four (extremely dangerous) and printed in one of four color-coded squares within the diamond:
White Square/Special Hazards: Materials with water reactivity and oxidizing properties cause special problems and typically require special firefighting measures. Typically left blank, but when necessary, the following chemical symbols and acronyms can be used:
The NFPA 704 Diamond, commonly referred to as the NFPA Hazard Diamond, provides a 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 short-term, acute exposures that could occur as a result of a fire, spill, or similar emergency.
The placard should be visible in case of an emergency where responders are likely to enter. If there are several entrances to the facility, there should be a placard at each entrance. The placard should be posted on the two exterior walls of a facility or building, each access to a room or area, or each principal means of access to an exterior storage area.
The OSHA's Hazard Communication standard and the NFPA 704 standard were designed differently, however both systems use numbers which can lead to confusion. The NFPA 704 is used primarily by fire and emergency responders / safety personnel to quickly gather information regarding the hazards present.
The OSHA classification methods put hazards into categories for labeling and training. The Hazard Communication classification is inverse to the NFPA 704 in that 1 is the most hazardous and 4 is the least hazardous rating.
The system is displayed as a rotated square shape, broken up into 4 sub squares. The material hazard is described within each of the 4 sub squares as the degree of severity, degree of flammability, and degree of instability with health at the 9 o'clock position, flammability at 12 o'clock position, and instability at 3 o'clock position. Colors are used to further distinguish the hazards, with red referring to flammability, blue referring to health, and yellow referring to instability. Severity is indicated by a numerical rating that ranges from 0 (as the minimal hazard) to 4 (as a severe hazard). The 6 o'clock position on the symbol represents special hazards and has a white background. The special hazards are taken from three possibilities: W indicates unusual reactivity with water, OX indicates an oxidizer, and SA indicates an asphyxiant gas.
Recognized by the Gemological Institute of America and The American Gem Society as an advanced cutting technique, the Facets of Fire technology is protected by six national and international patents. The latest US Patent No. 10,893,727 obtained in 2020, confirms this technology is unique and different from anything previously patented or available to the public.
You may also rest assured that every Facets of Fire Diamond is ethically sourced, conflict free and naturally mined, adhering to the strict global standards of the Kimberly Process and the Responsible Jewellery Council, both dedicated to eliminating all conflict diamonds.
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NFPA 704 is a standard for hazard identification that was developed to make emergency response decisions easier. It specifies a straightforward, readily recognized, simply understood method for identifying the particular hazards of a material and the degree of risk that would occur during an emergency response.
NFPA 704 labels are required when a law says to put them on. NFPA 704 does not stipulate when a container, tank, or facility must be labeled with the 704 diamond. When another code, regulation, or an AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) demands this type of labeling, it instructs you how to do so.
The Fire Code (NFPA 1), the Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30), the Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals (NFPA 45), the Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Codes (NFPA 55), and the Hazardous Materials Code are just a few codes that require the use of the 704 labels.
If the NFPA 704 diamond is required, an AHJ will determine where and how many it should be displayed. It must be apparent to any responders who may come upon it. On the other hand, there must be numerous signs on the outside of buildings in various locations or rooms. At the very least, there should be two placards next to each facility entrance/exterior storage area.
When looking at the NFPA fire diamond, yellow is for chemicals with high levels of instability. These numbers detail how susceptible materials react in various environments and can help you determine if they require caution while responding to an incident or spill. Responding personnel will use this number to determine if an area shall be evacuated or the fire fought from a protected location.
Knowing how and when to use an NFPA hazard diamond can prevent first responders from making deadly errors. For buildings that store hazardous materials, here are the best practices for displaying fire diamond placards:
Fire diamonds are only one part of a comprehensive safety plan. While it is important for emergency responders to instantly take in critical information, planned evacuation routes and fire drills can help keep personnel safe long before firefighters arrive. Local authorities may have jurisdiction over your evacuation mapping, which can help them know what to expect before they arrive on the scene. Maps also must be easy to read and easy to use.
Creating clear maps, with evacuation routes that avoid hazardous materials, requires insight and expertise. Put the safety of your staff and visitors in the trusted hands of Building Maps, the security map experts.
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