Identification of Fire Hazards of Materials

Throughout the campus, diamond shaped signs are used to forewarn fire fighters to the dangers that a building would present, if there was a fire. The signage is designated as NFPA704. The following information is provided for knowledge of what these signs would mean to fire fighters only, and should not be construed by anyone else, that any particular building, room or area is abnormally dangerous, or hazardous under normal conditions.

• RED DIAMOND: A number placed in this diamond represents FLASH POINTS. In the example above, the numeral 4 would inform fire fighters that the contents in the room, building or area would burn at below 73 degrees F. If a 3 were in this location, it would burn at below 100 degrees F. A 2 would burn at 100 degrees F - not exceeding 200 degrees F. The number 1 would mean that it would burn above 200 degrees F. A zero would mean it would not burn.
• YELLOW DIAMOND: A number placed in this diamond would represent REACTIVITY. In the example, the numeral 2 would inform fire fighters that there would be a violent chemical change in burning material in the building, room or area. A 4 would mean whatever is in the area may detonate. A 3 would tell them that there may be shock and heat, and it may detonate. a 1 would mean it is unsafe if heated, and a zero would mean that the contents were stable.
•  WHITE DIAMOND: A group of letters, or symbols would represent a SPECIFIC HAZARD within the building, room or area. ACID would mean Acid; ALK would mean Alkali; COR would mean Corrosive; OXY would mean Oxidizer; P would mean Polymerization; a symbol looking like a propeller would indicate a Radioactive content. and W with a horizontal slash through it, would inform fire fighters to "Use No Water" to extinguish the fire.
• BLUE DIAMOND: Represents HEALTH HAZARD. In the example, the numeral 4 would mean that the contents of a building, room or area in a fire situation would be deadly. A 3 - Extreme Danger, a 2 - Hazardous, a 1 - Slightly Hazardous, and a zero would mean Normal Material.