scope:

The information presented in this document is intended for use by personnel who have a basic knowledge of the chemistry of hazardous materials. The information contained herein offers guidance on storage and fire fighting techniques that can be used in an emergency or in disaster planning. It is not intended as a guide for workplace exposure or for relative indices of toxicity.

Only chemicals that are considered to be commercially significant have been included in NFPA 49. To meet this initial criterion, a chemical must be available in containers of 5 gal (18.9 L) capacity or larger, in compressed gas cylinders, or in pallet-load quantities or must otherwise be considered commercially significant. Once this criterion is met, the chemical must pose a distinct hazard by meeting one or more of the following criteria (listed in order of priority):

(a) Chemicals having a Health Hazard Rating of 2 or higher. based upon NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials.

(b) Chemicals having an NFPA 704 Reactivity Rating of 1 or higher.

(c) Chemicals that present unusual spill control or fire fighting problems.

(d) Chemicals that present unusual storage problems.

Chemicals in the following categories will not be addressed:

(a) Chemicals whose only hazard is mild oxidizing ability.

(b) Commercial explosives and blasting agents.

(c) Chemicals whose only hazard is mild irritation.

(d) Chemicals whose only hazard is flammability:

(e) Commercial formulations of organic peroxides. (Information on organic peroxide formulations is available in NFPA 43B, Code for the Storage of Organic Peroxide Formulations.)

(f) Chemicals whose only hazard is one of chronic health hazard, such as carcinogens, mutagens, oncogens, teratogens, and etiologic agents.

(For information on NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials, see Appendix B.)