Aside of these signs and the address numbers, the building is completely unmarked.
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So in that building there’s a nonflammable reactant that’s super dangerous to life and reacts with water, and a flammable chemical that is quite toxic.
So… Bring my HEV suit and crowbar?
They’re waiting for you, OP, in the test. Chamberrrr.
Depends, are you in the tank today?
Those diamonds indicate what chemical hazards are inside the building, for fire and rescue operations.
Thank you!
They’re NFPA 704 signs.
Thank you!
As others have said, these are NFPA signs.
What I want to know is why there are two different ones. What the hell does that mean?
Section 4.2.3.3 of NFPA 704 guides how to handle multiple chemicals.
You can combine the worst of each category into a composite, list each individually, or do a hybrid option.
The posts saying there are two chemicals are true but likely incomplete… There are probably several different chemicals and they decided to go with the hybrid method.
My guess is that they combined the worst rating of everything that doesn’t need special handling, and have a stand alone for the chemical that is incompatible with water (or even combined for several chemicals that are incompatible with water).
Two different chemicals to be aware of
But it’s just slapped on the side of the building with no indication of which chemicals the labels are for, I don’t think that’s how it’s supposed to be done. It’d be like mixing two chemicals into a bottle and then putting two labels on it.
I think there should just be one label that combines the warning levels of both i.e. 3-2-2-W
Why are you assuming the chemicals are mixed together inside the building? Two separate chemicals, two distinct risks.
But the building, as a whole, pesents the combined risk of both chemicals.
First responders need to know that there are two chemicals inside so that they don’t stop taking precautions when they encounter the first one.
They’re required to be individually labeled/categorized. And supposed to be on 2 exterior walls, and any doors, and on the containers themselves
I’m sure they’ll be labelled inside too.
Sure, but I don’t think the building should have two labels. I think it should have one label that reflects a warning for everything in the building.
Imagine you have a crate with two different chemicals. The chemicals are in different bottles so they aren’t mixed, and each bottle has its own label.
Should the crate have two unidentified labels like this, or one? There’s no indication what those labels refer to on the building.
I’m no expert, so I can’t tell for sure, but my guess is that they’re storing two different chemicals. The left one looks like it’s a non-flammable, extremely hazardous material that shouldn’t be exposed to water (maybe an alkali metal, like lithium or sodium). The right one is a hazardous material that is a fire hazard above 93°C (200°F), but otherwise stable (maybe some kind of diesel?)
So… If I had to take a wild guess, diesel and lithium batteries?
Similar to the markings used on trucks hauling hazardous materials. Might be for the fire dept if the place goes up in flames.
Thank you!
