NFPA 704 provides a widely recognized method for identifying hazardous material. This labeling system is meant to allow emergency responders to quickly assess the severity of a crisis, and determine the best course of action. This is why it’s important to know where to post NFPA fire diamonds.
NFPA fire diamonds should be highly visible, in locations that are likely to be seen by first responders. Per NFPA 704: at a minimum, hazard diamond signs should be posted on two exterior walls that contain a means of access to a building, each access to a room or area, and the main access to each exterior storage area.
While that is the minimum requirement, there are certainly more things you should know before you start posting your NFPA fire diamonds.
Key Information about NFPA Fire Diamonds
If you’re not familiar with the fire diamond, which is also known as a “square on point” shape, read our post about “How To Read an NFPA Fire Diamond.”
To summarize, the fire diamond is a quick way to understand the hazardous severity of a chemical. It is divided into four sections, with each color designating a specific type of hazard. Numbers zero through four designate the severity, with 4 being the most hazardous.
- Blue is for health hazard
- Red is for flammability hazard
- Yellow is for instability hazard
- White is for a specific hazard, like a corrosive or radioactive chemical
The ability to assess this critical information at a glance can help emergency personnel determine when to evacuate and how to clean up.
Place Hazard Diamond Placards Where Emergency Responders Enter
Knowing where to post NFPA fire diamonds is a critical aspect of their use. In NFPA 704, the location information for fire diamonds comes from section 4.3. Verbatim, the minimum requirements listed in the latest version of NFPA (2022) are as follows:
(1) Two exterior walls or enclosures containing a means of access to a building or facility
(2) Each access to a room or area
(3) Each principal means of access to an exterior storage area
However, they also say that you should consult your local authority having jurisdiction. For most areas, this will mean checking in with the local fire station and following their recommendations for placard placement. This will ensure you don’t miss a critical location for hazard diamond placement.
The NFPA does not provide guidance on the size of the signs, but they should be large enough to be easily legible. NFPA 704 Chapter 9 lists minimum sizes that are legible at certain distances. Your local authority may have size requirements.
For example, one local fire station’s guidelines for fire diamonds suggest that interior postings should be 12 inches per side, with each numeral/symbol 6 inches tall, and exterior postings should be 24 inches per side with each numeral/symbol 12 inches tall.
Many local authorities also require individual containers or tanks to be labeled with an NFPA fire diamond for that particular chemical.
What To Do When There Are Multiple Hazardous Chemicals Present
When more than one chemical is present, you may use your judgment to decide which method of marking would be better.
- Composite method: use a single sign to display the highest severity levels within that area.
- Individual method: when only a few hazardous chemicals are present, display signs for each chemical. The chemical name should be listed below each sign.
Once again, if you are unsure of the best method, the local authority with jurisdiction over your area can help determine which would be the most helpful.
How Fire Diamonds Fit Into Your Overall Emergency Planning
If your facility uses or stores chemicals that require hazard diamond placards, then you should have your own plan for emergencies involving chemical spills or fires. In order to prioritize the safety of your personnel, you need the ability to make swift, knowledgeable decisions. Your staff should also be familiar with evacuation routes through emergency drills.
Building Maps has a long history of successfully helping clients improve their emergency response planning with evacuation mapping. Our team is trained on widely used codes like NFPA, OSHA, ICC, and more. We’re also familiar with seeking out local authorities to keep you in compliance with state and municipal regulations.
If you have any questions about adding safety and wayfinding maps to your facility, or if you’d like to request a quote, please contact us here. Our safety experts know the best practices in mapping and evacuation and can help you keep your facility safe.
About the Author: Tony Jones, CFPS, is the owner and founder of Building Maps. He is a safety mapping and code compliance expert. Tony holds his work to the highest standard because he knows “it’s not just a map, it’s about saving lives.”
