Help protect personnel and the public from fire risks and hazards with the recognized marking system in NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response. The standard simplifies determining the degree of health, flammability, and instability hazards of chemicals, and also provides for the recognition of water reactivity and oxidizers. The NFPA “hazard diamond” provides users with a general sense of the hazards of a material and the severity of these hazards as they relate to emergency response.

NFPA 704 provides critical information for anyone with responsibilities in hazard identification and mitigation at facilities that manufacture, process, or store hazardous materials. The standard is essential for manufacturers and users of hazardous chemicals, emergency responders, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), building designers and inspectors, and consultants specializing in hazard identification and mitigation.

NFPA 704 helps guide professionals to:

• Supply appropriate signals and vital information to help protect the public and private emergency response personnel
• Plan for efficient fire and emergency control operations
• Aid designated personnel, engineers, and plant and safety personnel in assessing hazards

Key Aspects and Benefits of the 2027 NFPA 704 Include:

• New Definitions: The terms battery energy storage system and lithium-based battery were added with associated annex material.
• Revisions to Align with NFPA 1, Fire Code: Updates were made in Section 6.2 to align with NFPA 1 regarding Class 1A and Class 1B flammable gases and to further clarify that Class 1B has a lower flammability than Class 1A flammable gases.
• Updated Annex B: Revisions were made in Annex B for occupational exposure limits to direct users to exposure limits from other regulatory bodies and industry organizations.
• Updated Annex C: Changes were made to include the current list of flash point standards as listed in ASTM E502.
• Clarified Guidance on Flash Point Errors: New text was added to explain how ASTM E1232 provides information on flash point errors, as well as explain the use of ASTM E502 for corrections on changes in atmospheric pressures.