NFPA signs: An example
I went to our favorite “local” bulk foods general store today. As I pulled into town, I was starting to get a little concerned because the predicted freezing rain was hitting us a few hours early.
As I drove into town, the railroad lights started flashing. There was a truck in the other lane coming down a small hill, and even at this distance I could hear his Jake brake roaring.
The bars came down and after a few seconds, the mile-long Santa Fe train thundered past on its way from Iowa towards Kansas City.
Train covered with NFPA warning labels traveling 50 MPH right past a truck, a blind highway crossing, a hill, and sleet starting to fall. What could possibly go wrong?
Being a long-time resident of the area, I know that there have been many derailments right at this spot (the last one was about three months ago) so you can see I stopped WAY short of the line. The above picture uses a telephoto lens, and is shot through my windshield.
I watched the train roll past us, and as I did I noticed that there were several cars that marked with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamonds with numbers marked in the various colored squares.
This reminded me that I should write a short article sharing what these signs are, and what these NFPA signs mean.
These signs are EVERYWHERE
Have you ever noticed that when you buy a new car, all of the sudden it seems like every other car on the road is the same make and model you just purchased?
It’s not really true, of course, but it does seem that way.
Well, when you first take notice of one of these NFPA diamonds, you will then start to see them just about everywhere you look, outside of your home.
So what do all of these numbers actually mean?
The signs basically split hazards out into four areas, flammability (red), threats to health (blue), instability problems (yellow) and “other” threats (white).
With the help of the good folks at Oklahoma State University and Wikipedia (who wrote the following), here’s what the NFPA warning signs mean specifically:
HEALTH
| 4 | Deadly: even the slightest exposure to this substance would be life threatening. Only specialized protective clothing, for these materials, should be worn. |
| 3 | Extreme Danger: serious injury would result from exposure to this substance. Do not expose any body surface to these materials. Full protective measures should be taken. |
| 2 | Dangerous: exposure to this substance would be hazardous to health. Protective measures are indicated. |
| 1 | Slight Hazard: irritation or minor injury would result from exposure to this substance. Protective measures are indicated. |
| 0 | No Hazard: exposure to this substance offers no significant risk to health. |
FLAMMABILITY
|
4 |
Flash Point Below 73 °F and Boiling Point Below 100 °F: this substance is very flammable, volatile or explosive depending on its state. Extreme caution should be used in handling or storing of these materials. |
|
3 |
Flash Point Below 100 °F: flammable, volatile or explosive under almost all normal temperature conditions. Exercise great caution in storage or handling of these materials. |
|
2 |
Flash Point Below 200 °F: moderately heated conditions may ignite this substance. Caution procedures should be employed in handling. |
|
1 |
Flash Point Above 200 °F: this substance must be preheated to ignite. Most combustible solids would be in this category. |
|
0 |
Will Not Burn: substances that will not burn. |
INSTABILITY
|
4 |
May Detonate: substances that are readily capable of detonation or explosion at normal temperatures and pressures. Evacuate area if exposed to heat or fire. |
|
3 |
Explosive: substances that are readily capable of detonation or explosion by a strong initiating source, such as heat, shock or water. Monitor from behind explosion-resistant barriers. |
|
2 |
Unstable: violent chemical changes are possible at normal or elevated temperatures and pressures. Potentially violent or explosive reaction may occur when mixed with water. Monitor from a safe distance. |
|
1 |
Normally stable: substances that may become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures or when mixed with water. Approach with caution. |
|
0 |
Stable: substances which will remain stable when exposed to heat, pressure or water. |
WHITE LABEL
|
OX |
Oxidizer, allows chemicals to burn without an air supply |
|
|
Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner |
|
SA |
Simple asphyxiant gas |
So why do I need to know this stuff as a prepper?
Well, you need to know the NFPA signs and what they mean for several reasons.
- These signs let you know, up front, the risks that you are facing if there is an ongoing situation like a fire or spill.
- They let you know when you should “get the heck out of Dodge” when trying to fight a fire yourself, or whether it’s safe to try to extinguish the fire.
- If you are on the road and are pulling over for some rest, knowing the signs can help you not close your eyes right next to a cargo of real trouble should an accident occur.
Well, there you have it, what these signs mean. Hope you find this of some use.
Good stuff and if in doubt err on the side of caution. DOT used to issue out books/pamphlets to drivers and law enforcement. They probably don’t anymore with internet availability