caution gas pipline

Greg Fallis

That sign on the door of the little shed? It's called a 'fire diamond.' Well, that's what firefighters call it. Officially it's a National Fire Protection Association warning, part of Standard 704: "Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response."

Each diamond section provides emergency personnel with information about what sorts of hazardous material they can expect to find inside. The Blue 2 indicates that intense or continued exposure to what's inside could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injuries. The Red 3 warns that the materials inside can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. But happily the Yellow 0 tells firefighters the material is normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and isn't reactive with water -- so they can hose merrily away if there's a fire.

It ain't easy, being a firefighter.

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