HAZCHEM 3WE Sign

Hazardous Chemical Sign – HAZCHEM 3WE Sign

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

Our HAZCHEM 3WE Signs provide critical safety information for flammable liquid storage and transport sites. Featuring the 3WE Hazchem code, these signs give fire crews immediate guidance for firefighting and evacuation actions.

Purpose

• Identify flammable liquids in bulk storage or transport.

• Display Hazchem code “3WE” for emergency response.

• Comply with HSNO and NZS 5433:2020 safety regulations.

Example Scenario

For example: A chemical depot storing large quantities of solvent must display 3WE Hazchem signs to indicate firefighting requirements and alert responders that evacuation may be necessary.

Mounting Options

• Self-Adhesive Vinyl: Laminated for durability.

• PVC Sheet (2 mm): Rigid long-term solution.

• ACM Panel (4 mm): Excellent for outdoor installation.

• Corflute: Short-term or temporary projects.

• Magnetic (300 × 225 mm, 450 × 337 mm, 600 × 450 mm): Ideal for tankers and removable applications.

Where to Use

• Bulk storage facilities

• Depot entrances

• Tanker trucks

• Industrial sites

Compliance

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

FAQs

Q1: Why do I need a 3WE Hazchem Sign?
This sign is required to clearly identify hazardous flammable liquids and provide emergency crews with correct firefighting and evacuation instructions.

Q2: Where should this sign be installed?
Place near bulk tanks, depot entrances, and on road tankers carrying flammable liquids. It must be visible from all approach points.

Q3: What does “3WE” mean?
The code “3WE” tells fire crews to use foam or water spray to fight a fire and to consider evacuation. It is part of the Hazchem emergency action code system.

The HAZCHEM 3WE Sign indicates a Class 3 flammable liquid requiring foam or dry-agent extinguishers, with emergency responders needing full protective gear and possible evacuation protocols. To learn how “3WE” codes guide first responders, check out Understanding HAZCHEM Signs in New Zealand & Australia.

Classified under Class 3 – Flammable Liquids, this sign applies to fuels, solvents, or chemicals with flashpoints below 60°C. Find out where this code fits within the wider DG framework in Understanding Dangerous Goods Classes 1–9.

For sites handling bulk or transported materials with the UN 1203 or equivalent flammable liquid identifiers, you may also need Emergency Information Panels (EIPs). Visit Emergency Information Panel Signs Explained to ensure compliance with NZS 5433 and WorkSafe NZ.

Got multiple fuels on site? Pair this with our 3YE Petrol HAZCHEM Sign so everyone knows what’s in each tank — because guessing game and petrol never belong in the same sentence, mate.

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 3WE Sign

Flexible, vehicle-grade magnetic placards with the HAZCHEM 3WE 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.