HAZCHEM 3Z Diesel Sign

Hazardous Chemical Sign – HAZCHEM 3Z Diesel Sign

Prevent accidents involving highly hazardous flammable/corrosive and ecotoxic materials with our HAZCHEM 3Z Diesel Sign.

Our HAZCHEM 3Z Diesel Signs are designed to provide clear, compliant safety messaging for diesel storage facilities, depots, and transport vehicles. The 3Z Hazchem code alerts emergency responders to use foam as the primary extinguishing medium and allows water spray in bulk quantities for cooling.

Purpose

• Identify diesel fuel as a flammable liquid.

• Provide critical emergency response instructions.

• Ensure HSNO and NZS 5433:2020 compliance.

Example Scenario

For example: A transport depot with a 5,000L diesel tank must display a 3Z Hazchem sign at the tank and gate to comply with regulations and ensure firefighters know the correct method of response.

Pictogram Information

This sign displays two safety pictograms:

• Flame (GHS02): Alerts workers and responders that diesel is a flammable liquid.

• Environment (GHS09): Warns that diesel is ecotoxic and harmful to aquatic life if spilled.

Including both pictograms ensures compliance with HSNO and NZS 5433:2020, giving staff and emergency crews immediate visual hazard recognition.

Mounting Options

• Self-Adhesive Vinyl: Laminated for outdoor durability.

• PVC Sheet (2 mm): Strong and long-lasting.

• ACM Panel (4 mm): Corrosion-proof, ideal for outdoor exposure.

• Corflute: Good for temporary or short-term projects.

• Magnetic (300 × 225 mm, 450 × 337 mm, 600 × 450 mm): Suitable for removable vehicle use.

Where to Use

• Bulk diesel tanks

• Site entrances

• Tanker trucks

• Industrial fuel depots

Compliance

Meets HSNO, NZS/AS 1319:1994, and NZS 5433:2020 requirements for diesel hazard signage.

FAQs

Q1: Why do I need a HAZCHEM 3Z Diesel Sign?
This sign helps your site stay HSNO compliant and gives emergency responders the correct firefighting instructions for diesel fuel fires.

Q2: Where should this sign be used?
Mount near bulk diesel tanks, depot gates, and on tankers transporting diesel so responders can identify the hazard from a distance.

Q3: What does “3Z” mean?
“3Z” tells fire crews to use foam to extinguish fires and allows large volumes of water to be used for cooling.

The HAZCHEM 3Z Diesel Sign identifies diesel as a Class 3 flammable liquid, coded 3Z to specify the firefighting medium and required emergency response procedures. Discover what each part of the HAZCHEM code means — and why it matters — in Understanding HAZCHEM Signs in New Zealand & Australia.

Diesel sits within Class 3 – Flammable Liquids, the same group as petrol and kerosene. Learn how each fuel type is classified, stored, and transported safely under NZ and Australian law in Understanding Dangerous Goods Classes 1–9.

If your depot, transport vehicle, or tank farm handles bulk diesel, you’ll need an Emergency Information Panel (EIP) displaying UN 1202 or UN 3082. Visit Emergency Information Panel Signs Explained to ensure your setup meets NZS 5433 and WorkSafe NZ compliance requirements.

How to choose the right mounting options.

Corflute: short-term term less than 2 years outdoors

Thin PVC: Medium term, more than 2 years

ACM: Long term 5 years or more

Supplied as a sticker:

long-term digital print laminated for long-term use. With a life of 5 years or more. We use a Hi Tac vinyl which allows it to be applied to most surfaces.

Magnetic mounting option for the HAZCHEM 3Z Diesel Sign

Flexible, vehicle-grade magnetic placards with the HAZCHEM 3Z Diesel Sign printed on premium vinyl, laminated, and mounted to automotive magnetic sheeting. They stick to ferrous steel panels and remove without residue—ideal for vehicles that only carry DG sometimes.

Who they’re for

• Contractors / couriers who transport Dangerous Goods occasionally

• Hire or multi-use vehicles (no permanent signage)

• Sites that swap classes depending on load (quick changeover)

• Magnet: vehicle-grade sheet, 0.8–1.0 mm thick (30–40 mil), high-energy.

• Face film: outdoor self-adhesive vinyl + UV laminate (gloss).

• Operating temp: suitable from winter cold to summer heat (typical automotive range).

Where they work (and don’t)

• Works on: painted steel panels that are flat, clean, and smooth.

• Doesn’t work on: aluminium, stainless, plastics, composites, heavy body filler; vinyl wraps, ceramic coatings, heavily textured paint.

• If customers have aluminium doors/ute trays, suggest self-adhesive or rigid ACM instead.

Fitment checklist

1. Clean & dry the panel (no wax/polish).

2. Warm, flat magnet—no curl.

3. Apply to flat steel only; press from centre out.

4. Do not bridge panel gaps, ribs or sharp curves.

5. Remove daily to clean/dry both surfaces; store flat.

6. In heavy rain/highway speeds, check edges haven’t lifted.

Care & maintenance

• Remove and wipe after wet weather; store flat (never rolled tight).

• Move position slightly each week to avoid differential fading.

• Avoid use on freshly resprayed paint (allow full cure).

Compliance note

• Magnet is a mounting method. The operator must ensure placards are the correct class, size, and securely affixed for the journey. Some carriers or site rules may require permanent/rigid placards—check your procedure.

For more information check out these links

• WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous Substances Management
  👉 WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous substances

• EPA NZ – HSNO Act guidance
  👉 EPA NZ – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act

• United Nations GHS
  👉 UN – Globally Harmonized System (GHS)  

• Why you need the correct Hazard sign

NZS/AS 1319:1994 advocates simplicity and clarity in safety signage. To be effective, they should be easy to read and interpret at a glance.

The Standard is about the use of legible text and appropriate, simple symbols.

By simplifying the message, it reduces the risk of misinterpretation, which increases the chances of the sign’s warning or instruction being followed.

Enhancing the sign’s visibility through placement and colour

Placement and visibility will play a crucial role in the efficiency of safety signs.

The standard states that signs must be positioned near the hazard they are warning about, which ensures that the safety message is relevant. Also, it advocates the use of contrasting colours for the background and lettering. This attention to the colour scheme will increase visibility and readability from a reasonable distance, which ensures the message is accessible.

The mission of Hazard Signs NZ is to provide quality-made safety signs to all of New Zealand. Our great prices and convenient online ordering platform make us a preferred supplier to many NZ businesses. All our signs are designed and manufactured in Invercargill to meet the workplace health and safety needs of all businesses and industries in New Zealand.

Please note. We make some of our safety signs to order and it may take 5 to 10 business days to receive. If you require your order urgently, please don’t hesitate to contact us to confirm an estimated delivery date prior to placing your order.

If you are not sure about what sign you need for your business, just contact us at +6432183350 or email us and we will make it ready for you.