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Definition of NFPA Labels

The National Fire and Protection Agency (NFPA) developed a label that identifies the health, flammability, reactivity and related hazards of various chemicals. Using a system of easily understandable colors, numbers, and categories, basic hazard information is provided by the label. The NFPA label, also known as the "fire diamond," is required by industrial, commercial, or institutional facility that manufactures, distributes or stores chemicals.

  1. Function

    • The NFPA label protects the health and safety of all individuals and professionals who work with or around chemicals. It also provides a quick and easy way for emergency personnel to identify the health, flammability, chemical reactivity and other unique hazards posed by hazardous materials. The essential information provided by the label helps personnel determine life-saving precautions and procedures that should be taken in the event of an emergency.

    Label Symbols

    • The information on a NFPA label can be found in four color-coded divisions, usually arranged in the shape of a diamond. Blue is usually found at the 9 o'clock position and indicates the Health Hazard. Red is at 12 o'clock and shows the Flammability Rating. At 3 o'clock the Chemical Reactivity rating is shown in a yellow space. White is at 6 o'clock and usually reserved to indicate unusual reactivity with water, symbolized by the letter "W" with a line through it. If the chemical does not possess an unusual reactivity with water, then other unique hazards may be indicated in this space using special codes or symbols.

    Degree of Hazards

    • A numerical range of 0 to 4 is used to indicate severity of the hazard, "4" being an "Extreme" hazard and "0" being a "Minimal" one. For instance, a Health Hazard (blue) of "4" would mean that very short exposure to the chemical could cause death or major residual injury, while a "0" health hazard would pose no health hazard.

    Special Notice Symbols

    • A number of symbols can be used within the white space on an NFPA label. Some of these symbols are: COR, a corrosive acid or base; SA, a simple asphyxiant gas; BIO, a biological hazard; and POI, or a skull and crossbones, to indicate a poisonous substance.

    Requirements

    • The NFPA label is an industry standard that is required by all laboratories and chemical manufacturers and distributors. In addition to appropriately labeling the hazard warnings, the label must also identify the hazardous material and give the name and address of the manufacturer, distributor, or responsible party. Employers are responsible for ensuring that all containers are properly labeled, tagged, and marked with hazard warnings.

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