DB 14-04 NFPA 704 Placards

Question 1

Several provisions in the LA fire code that regulate hazardous materials have been amended to include the placement of what which are designed to warn emergency first responders that a hazard exists?

Answer 1

Warning placards and warning signs

Question 2

The NFPA 704 placard identifies hazards of a material in terms of what 3 principal categories?

Answer 2

Health, flammability, reactivity (instability)

Question 3

Hazards on the NFPA 704 placard are indicated numerically by severity ranging from what?

Answer 3

4 (most severe) to 0 (no special hazard)

Question 4

The system of diagrams within the NFPA 704 placard are what colors and located where within the placard?

Answer 4

Health (left) - blue
Flammability (top) - red
Reactivity (right) - yellow

Question 5

The 4th space at the bottom of the NFPA 704 placard is used for what?

Answer 5

Special information described by a symbol

Question 6

If multiple hazards exist, how many hazards will be indicated in the space at the bottom of the 704 placard?

Answer 6

The 2 worst hazards

Question 7

The symbols (no more than 2) shall be stacked with which hazard positioned on top?

Answer 7

Most severe hazard

Question 8

The hierarchy of selecting and stacking the hazard symbols are which ones (most hazardous or critical to least hazardous)?

Answer 8

A, W, M, JM, FW, LW, and C

Question 9

Industrial/commercial buildings which have received “conditional use” approval for residential occupancy by artists/artisan will be identified with what letter in the bottom of the 704 placard?

Answer 9

“A”

Question 10

The recommended symbol to indicate unusual reactivity with water and to alert firefighting personnel of the possible hazard of using water is what letter on the bottom of the 704 placard?

Answer 10

“W”

Question 11

Combustible metals (titanium, magnesium, zirconium, and aluminum) shall be indicated with what letter at the bottom of the 704 placard?

Answer 11

“M”

Question 12

The letter “M” indicated quantities or physical state satisfy the LAFD criteria for placarding occupancies that exceed how many pounds of combustible metals per table 4-A of the LA fire code of that process or store how many pounds or less of combustible metals that are in the form of dusts, chips, powders, turnings or ribbons?

Answer 12

500

Question 13

Business involved in jewelry manufacturing that use quantities of hazardous materials that exceed the exempt amounts in division 4 of the LA fire code shall be indicated with a what on the bottom of the 704 placard?

Answer 13

“JM” (jewelry mart)

Question 14

Agricultural/wildlife “exempt fireworks” shall be indicated with a what in the bottom of the 704 placard for any quantities stored?

Answer 14

“FW”

Question 15

Occupancies where excessive moisture or smoke will severely affect the value of the building or contents shall be indicated with a what at the bottom of the 704 placard?

Answer 15

“LW” (limited water)

Question 16

The “LW” is the only symbol that is not required by this requirement and would be used only upon request of the occupancy and approved by who?

Answer 16

Fire Chief

Question 17

Substances that need to be contained (such as PCB’s) to avert further environmental damage will be indicated with what letter in the bottom of the 704 placard?

Answer 17

“C”

Question 18

What shall be posted whenever hazardous materials are stored, processed, or used, in quantities requiring a permit under Division 4 of the Los Angeles Fire Code or if the material is a combustible metal?

Answer 18

Warning placards

Question 19

Where shall warning placards be located?

Answer 19

At entrance of building where hazmat stored, processed, or used and other locations as may be required by fire Chief

At main entrance to any area outside a building where hazmat stored, processed, used

Every aboveground tank used for storage of hazmat, warning placards on at least 2 sides of container

Question 20

For warning placards, in lieu of posting each tank in an area containing more than how many tanks, the area itself may be posted as approved by the LAFD?

Answer 20

1 tank

Question 21

Where shall warning signs be posted?

Answer 21

Whenever hazmats are stored, processed, or used in quantities requiring a division 4 permit or combustible metals, in or outside building

Any area where hazmat stored, processed, or used shall have a sign conspicuously posted

Question 22

For warning signs conspicuously posted, letters should be no less than how many inches high on a contrasting background reading “no smoking” or open flame within 25 feet as required by the fire Chief?

Answer 22

3 inches

Question 23

For warning signs, every such sign shall name the what on it?

Answer 23

Material of hazard classification

Question 24

For warning placards, degree of hazard (order of severity “0-4”) is determined by what reference?

Answer 24

NFPAs “fire protection guide to hazmat” (NFPA 49, 325M, 491M, and 704)