Basic Operations Firefighter Certification Practice Exam

In the NFPA 704 system, which color represents the reactivity quadrant?

1. Red

2. Blue

3. Yellow

4. White

The correct answer is: Yellow

In the NFPA 704 system, which is a labeling system for identifying the hazards of materials, the color that represents the reactivity quadrant is yellow. This system is used to provide a quick visual reference to help emergency responders understand the potential dangers associated with materials. The reactivity quadrant is specifically designated to indicate the materials' potential to become unstable under certain conditions or react with other materials. A range of numbers from 0 to 4 is used in the yellow quadrant, where 0 indicates that a material is stable and poses no significant reactivity risk, while 4 indicates that it can undergo an explosive reaction or is highly reactive. The distinct use of yellow in this quadrant effectively communicates the level of caution that responders should take when handling potentially reactive substances. The other colors serve different purposes within the NFPA 704 system: red denotes flammability, blue indicates health hazards, and white is used for specific hazards such as radiation or acid. Each color is integral in maintaining safety protocols during emergency situations.