RTK Labeling:
Interpreting the NFPA Rating System

RTK Labeling Start | Free NFPA Guide

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond is an easily reconizable system for identifying the health and physical hazards associated with specific chemicals. It was originally developed to aid fire fighters responding to emergencies in industrial settings where dangerous chemicals were present. Today, it is used in RTK labels and HazCom programs in a variety of work environments.

The NFPA Diamond uses color codes to identify Health risks (in blue), Flammability (in red), Instability (in yellow), and Special Hazards (in white). It rates the severity of the hazard on a scale of 0 to 4 with 4 being the most severe.

Fire Hazard (Red)
Flash Points

4 - Below 73 F
3 - Below 100 F
2 - Below 200 F
1 - Above 200 F
0 - Will not burn

Health Hazard
(Blue)

4 - Deadly
3 - Extreme Danger
2 - Hazardous
1 - Slightly Hazardous
0 - Normal Material

Instability
(Yellow)

4 - May Dentonate
3 - Shock and Heat May Detonate
2 - Violent Chemical Change
1 - Unstable if Heated
0 - Stable

Specific Hazard
(White)

Oxidizer ---- OXY
Acid ---- ACID
Alkalai ---- ALK
Corrosive ---- COR
Use No Water ----
Radiation Hazard ----
Polymerizes ---- P
No special hazard ----

RTK and NFPA Diamond Labeling Related links

OSHA HazCom Standard {HCS 1910.1200}
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
Free Guide to the NFPA Diamond

This RTK labeling guide is intended for general information purposes only. This guide is not a substitute for review of applicable government regulations and standards.

RTK Labeling: Interpreting the NFPA Rating System

RTK and NFPA Diamond Labeling Related links

RTK Labeling:
Interpreting the NFPA Rating System