Personal Protective Equipment

HMIS

The HMIS labeling system operates on the same principle as the NFPA diamond. Blue indicates health hazard, red indicates flammability, yellow indicates reactivity, and special information (such as what personal protective equipment to wear) will be provided in the white section. It also uses a numerical system from 0-4 to indicate the severity of the hazard.

NFPA

A numerical rating is provided in blue, red, and yellow diamonds. This number indicates the severity of the hazard, with a 0 indicating no hazard and 4 indicating the most severe hazard.

These placards represent the "worst" of what is in the building, but they will not provide specific chemical names, quantities, or locations. They are designed to give emergency personnel a general idea of the worst hazards present in a building or area.

Rating Summary

Health (Blue)

4 Danger May be fatal on short exposure. Specialized protective equipment required
3 Warning Corrosive or toxic. Avoid skin contact or inhalation
2 Warning May be harmful if inhaled or absorbed
1 Caution May be irritating
0 No unusual hazard

Flammability (Red)

4 Danger Flammable gas or extremely flammable liquid
3 Warning Flammable liquid flash point below 100° F
2 Caution Combustible liquid flash point of 100° to 200° F
1 Combustible if heated
0 Not combustible

Reactivity (Yellow)

4 Danger Explosive material at room temperature
3 Danger May be explosive if shocked, heated under confinement or mixed with water
2 Warning Unstable 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 Notice Key (White)

W Water Reactive
Oxy Oxidizing Agent