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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 System is designed to provide a clear and visually accessible method for identifying the hazards associated with materials, particularly in emergency situations. It employs a color-coded diamond-shaped label featuring four quadrants, each representing different types of hazards: health, flammability, reactivity, and specific hazards.
The system assigns a numerical rating from 0 to 4 for each category based on the degree of severity. For instance, a rating of 0 indicates no hazard, while a rating of 4 signifies a severe hazard that poses a risk of serious injury or death. This approach helps emergency responders quickly assess the potential dangers of a substance and respond appropriately.
The focus of the NFPA 704 System is on general hazards and their associated degrees of severity, rather than on specifics such as individual product identification, transport classifications, or international classifications. This makes it an essential tool for maintaining safety in various environments, particularly where hazardous materials are present.