Fire Signs Could Pose a Danger

“Rising Fears That What We Do Know Can Hurt Us” (Nov. 18) reports that all levels of government are removing sensitive information from the high-tech Internet for national security reasons. What the article did not mention is all the low-tech signs required by local governments on all industrial buildings using a system devised by the National Fire Protection Agency. These triangular-shaped signs indicate by color and number whether chemicals stored in the buildings are flammable, reactive, radioactive or a special health hazard. Conceivably, the buildings could be used as incendiary devices, the same as airplanes loaded with fuel. Many industrial facilities are adjacent to rail lines that also haul dangerous materials.

Terrorists may not need to look any further than the signs on buildings to ignite a bomb or send a cloud of chemicals over a community. Isn’t it time we devised a better system to protect our firefighters than this system that places the community in potential peril?

Wayne Lusvardi

Pasadena