National Fire Protection Association Hazard Ratings Interpretation:

National Fire Protection Association Hazard Ratings Interpretation:

NFPA Hazard Rating Information is summarized on a diamond-shaped diagram that can rapidly alert personnel to substances that  require special vigilance. Hazards are rated from 0 (no unusual hazard) to 4 (severe hazard). Ratings are given for Health, Flammability and Instability (or Reactivity) and displayed in three colored diamonds. A while diamond at the bottom of the diagram is reserved for information on special hazards associated with fire fighting - alerting to reactivity with water or significant oxidizing potential. NFPA ratings are shown on each UIG MSDS.

Interpretation of NFPA Hazard Rating Indices
Health (Blue)
4	Danger	May be fatal on short exposure. Specialized protective equipment required
3	Warning	Corrosive or toxic. Avoid skin contact or inhalation - can cause serious injury
2	Warning	May be harmful if inhaled or absorbed
1	Caution	May be irritating
0	-- -- -- --	No unusual hazard under fire conditions
Flammability (Red)
4	Danger	Readily flammable gas or easily vaporized and extremely flammable liquid
3	Warning	Liquid or solid that will ignite under most ambient conditions.
2	Caution	Liquid or solid that is combustible if moderately preheated or exposed to high temperature
1	-- -- -- --	Combustible if heated significantly
0	-- -- -- --	Not combustible
Instability or Reactivity (Yellow)
4	Danger	Will readily detonate at normal ambient temperature and pressure conditions
3	Danger	May be explosive if shocked, heated under confinement or mixed with water
2	Warning	Unstable (may violently decompose but not detonate) or may react violently if mixed with water
1	Caution	May react if heated or mixed with water but not violently
0	Stable	Not reactive when mixed with water
Special Fire-related Notices (White)
W		Water Reactive - Substance poses a potential hazard if water is used for fire fighting
OX		Oxidizing Agent - Substance may increase the rate of combustion of other materials