Gas
Plants
Buyer's
Guide
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MSDS include data useful to emergency response and other medical personnel about symptoms that can be caused by each substance and information about ways to avoid adverse effects and deal with health problems.
Natural Fire Protection Association Hazard Ratings
Each MSDS includes NFPA hazard rating information in a diamond shape. The hazards are rated from 0 to 4. 0 grade indicates an no hazard or an unusual hazard and 4 grade indicates severe hazards. These hazards are with respect to health, flammability, reactivity and fire related notices. These hazards are distinctively colored blue, red, yellow and white respectively to clearly differentiate the hazards and take necessary safety measures.
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Interpretation of NFPA Hazard Rating
Indices |
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Health (Blue) |
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| 4 | Danger | May be fatal on short exposure. Specialized protective equipment required |
| 3 | Warning | Corrosive or toxic. Avoid skin contact or inhalation - can cause serious injury |
| 2 | Warning | May be harmful if inhaled or absorbed |
| 1 | Caution | May be irritating |
| 0 | -- -- -- -- | No unusual hazard under fire conditions |
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Flammability (Red) |
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| 4 | Danger | Readily flammable gas or easily vaporized and extremely flammable liquid |
| 3 | Warning | Liquid or solid that will ignite under most ambient conditions. |
| 2 | Caution | Liquid or solid that is combustible if moderately preheated or exposed to high temperature |
| 1 | -- -- -- -- | Combustible if heated significantly |
| 0 | -- -- -- -- | Not combustible |
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Instability or Reactivity (Yellow) |
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| 4 | Danger | Will readily detonate at normal ambient temperature and pressure conditions |
| 3 | Danger | May be explosive if shocked, heated under confinement or mixed with water |
| 2 | Warning | Unstable (may violently decompose but not detonate) 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 |
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Special Fire-related Notices (White)
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| W | Water Reactive - Substance poses a potential hazard if water is used for fire fighting | |
| OX | Oxidizing Agent - Substance may increase the rate of combustion of other materials | |
