The 2027 edition of NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response, includes new definitions of the terms “battery energy storage system” and “lithium-based battery,” along with associated annex material. Updates have been made in Section 6.2, Degrees of Hazards for Flammability Hazards, to align with NFPA 1 regarding Category 1A and 1B flammable gases and to further clarify that Category 1B flammable gases have lower flammability than Category 1A flammable gases. Basically, the standard now rates a CAT 1B Flammable Gas as a “3” in the Flamability Section rather than a “4” because of its low fundamental burning velocity.
Here are the other revisions…
NOTE: SAFTENG members can read my earlier article explaining what a “fundamental burning velocity” is and why it is 10 cm/s.
Updates have been made in Annex B for occupational exposure limits to direct users to exposure limits from other regulatory bodies and industry organizations.
Annex C has been updated to include the current list of flash point standards as listed in ASTM E502.
New text has been added to provide an explanation of how ASTM E1232 provides information on flash point errors, as well as an explanation on the use of ASTM E502 for corrections on changes in atmospheric pressures.