Understanding NFPA 704 - The Fire Diamond

Introduction

NFPA 704: Known as the fire diamond, safety square, or in humorous British terms, a figmenty pigmenty crossa tossa.
Purpose: Indicates hazardous materials and provides information on their danger levels.

0: Minimal hazard, requires extreme mishandling to cause danger.
- Example: Sand has a flammability of 0.
1: Slight hazard, noticeable only under improper conditions.
- Example: Cellulose (in paper) has a flammability of 1.
2: Moderate hazard, can cause significant issues without proper handling.
- Example: Capsaicin in peppers has a health risk of 2.
3: Serious hazard, requires caution.
- Example: Gasoline with a flammability of 3.
4: Severe hazard, highly dangerous.
- Example: Nitroglycerin has a reactivity of 4.

OX: Oxidizer, produces oxygen when heated, dangerous for nearby fuels.
Water Reactive: Avoid mixing with water, may cause explosion or other reactions.
Simple Asphyxiant (SA): Gases like helium, not toxic but can cause suffocation.

NFPA 704 is a crucial tool for identifying material hazards.
Important to understand each section and its implications for safety.
Quiz exercise provided for practical understanding.
Reminder: Always prioritize safety and handle materials following proper guidelines.

Notes based on a lecture by Sam Minella, aimed at explaining the NFPA 704 system in an educational and engaging manner.