The white section of the NFPA diamond represents special hazards. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) diamond is a standard system for identifying hazards associated with various materials. It consists of four colored sections, each conveying specific information about the material’s flammability, health risks, reactivity, and special hazards.
Overview of the NFPA Diamond
The four sections of the NFPA diamond are:
- Red – Flammability
- Blue – Health
- Yellow – Reactivity
- White – Special Hazards
The red, blue, and yellow sections each contain a numeric rating from 0 to 4 indicating the severity of the hazard. 0 means no hazard, while 4 indicates a severe hazard. The higher the number, the greater the risk.
The white section does not contain a numeric rating. Instead, it conveys special hazard information using symbols approved by the NFPA. Some examples of these symbols include W for reactions with water, OX for oxidizers, and COR for corrosives.
White Section Symbols
Here are some common symbols used in the white section of the NFPA diamond and their meanings:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| W | Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous way |
| OX | Oxidizer, allows other materials to burn more easily |
| COR | Corrosive, causes severe skin or eye damage |
| ACID | Acid, is corrosive and reacts with metals |
| ALK | Alkali, is corrosive and reacts with acids |
| BIO | Biological hazard, is toxic or infectious |
| RAD | Radiation hazard |
| CRYO | Extremely cold material or cryogenic hazard |
These are just some examples – there are dozens more special hazard symbols used in the white section. The goal is to quickly convey any unique or unusual hazards that first responders need to be aware of when handling the material.
Purpose of the White Section
The main purpose of the white section is to highlight hazards that are not adequately conveyed by the red, blue, and yellow sections. It draws attention to special reactivity, corrosivity, water reactivity, and other unique hazards that need special handling precautions.
Some key reasons why the white section is important:
- Alerts first responders to materials that react dangerously with water, since using water to extinguish a fire could make it worse
- Identifies strong oxidizers that create oxygen to allow fires to burn more intensely
- Flags corrosive materials that can damage skin, eyes, and other tissues
- Highlights cryogenic materials that can cause severe frost bite and tissue damage
- Denotes radioactive materials requiring special protective equipment and handling
Without the white section, these special hazards might not be immediately obvious to emergency responders or workers handling hazardous materials. The white section fills this crucial information gap.
Real World Examples
Here are some real world examples of how the white section is used on NFPA diamonds:
Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)
Bleach contains the oxidizer sodium hypochlorite, so it has the OX symbol in the white section. This alerts firefighters that bleach will allow fires to burn more intensely.
Sulfuric Acid
Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive, so it bears the ACID marker. This signals that the material can cause severe skin burns.
Lithium Metal
Lithium metal reacts violently when exposed to water, releasing flammable gases. The W symbol indicates this hazardous water reactivity.
Proper Use of the NFPA Diamond
To leverage the full benefit of the NFPA diamond system, it helps to keep these usage tips in mind:
- Use the latest NFPA 704 standard to ensure your diamond markings are current.
- Follow the specific symbol definitions prescribed by NFPA 704.
- Only use the symbols approved for the white section.
- Make sure the diamond is applied properly on containers and placards.
- Provide training to all workers on how to interpret the diamonds.
- Use diamonds in conjunction with Safety Data Sheets for full hazard information.
Conclusion
The white section of the NFPA diamond draws attention to specialized hazards not conveyed elsewhere on the diamond. Symbols like OX, COR, W and ACID alert emergency responders to oxidizer, corrosive, water reactivity, and acid hazards. This allows them to take appropriate precautions and respond safely when handling materials displaying these unique hazards in the white section of the NFPA diamond.
Proper use of the NFPA diamond system, with clear communication of hazards in all four colored sections, provides an invaluable resource for protecting workers, emergency responders, facilities, and communities from chemical mishaps. The white section plays a crucial role in highlighting hazards that require special attention and precautions.