NFPA Regulations

The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) mission is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. For example, the NFPA publishes the:

Life Safety Code
Fire Prevention Code
National Fuel Gas Code
National Fire Alarm Code

The NFPA has published more than 300 consensus codes and standards. There are no NFPA regulations. The term "regulation" involves legislation and the NFPA codes and standards are not laws. As a private organization, the NFPA can not issue regulations. However, the NFPA consensus codes and standards are in effect NFPA regulations that must be followed.

For something to be a regulation there needs to be a penalty for not following that regulation. As a private organization NFPA cannot enforce penalties or impose penalties. However, there are serious penalties for not complying with NFPA codes and standards.

Some NFPA standards are referenced by OSHA. This makes them a part of the OSHA standards and violation can result in OSHA citations and penalties. In addition, OSHA considers compliance with the NFPA codes and standards in general to be part of having a safe workplace. Thus violation of an NFPA code or standard will likely be seen by OSHA as a violation of the OSHA General Duty Clause, and that will result in a citation and fine.

Another consideration is insurance coverage. Not being in compliance with NFPA can impact insurance coverage. Insurance companies may refuse to cover a facility that has been regularly ignoring NFPA. Or insurance coverage may become much more expensive. Although not a penalty imposed for violating a regulation, higher insurance costs are nevertheless a financial penalty.

It makes sense to treat the NFPA consensus codes and standards and standards as though they were NFPA regulations that were enforceable by law. That will not only help avoid penalties, but it will result in a safer workplace.

Hazardous Material Labeling

An area of NFPA compliance that is commonly missed is that of labeling hazardous materials. For example, a temporary container might be used for a cleaning fluid (a hazardous material). The employee becomes busy with other tasks and what was intended to be a temporary secondary container becomes a long-term container for small amounts of the cleaning fluid. That container needs to be labeled with an RTK label, but it doesn't have one.

Making labels is often an after-thought, or a forgotten thought. Making labels takes time and is inconvenient. Making labels slows down work progress. Making labels can be a problem. That's why you need a DuraLabel TORO label printer. It is the only truly standalone four inch label printer and that means it makes labeling faster and easier. "Standalone" means that everything you need to make labels is included as a part of the DuraLabel TORO. And that makes labeling simpler and more convenient

Call 1-888-326-9244 today and ask about special DuraLabel TORO kits for making RTK, as well as other NFPA required labels. You'll be glad you did.

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OSHA Requirements for Employee Training

Hazard Communication Links

• MSDS online and available for download
  
• Ammonia Refrigeration Piping Reference
  
• OSHA's HazCom Standard
  
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemicals
  
• NOAA Chemical Reactivity Worksheet
  
• Case Study: Labeling Problems