SYMBOL OF FLAMMABLE

CARACTERISTIC OF FLAMMABLE
1. Flash Point
This is the lowest temperature of the liquid at which it gives off
enough vapour to form an ignitible mixture of vapour and air immediately
above the liquid surface.
A liquid is classified as flammable or combustible depending on its
flash point. A flammable liquid has a flash point below 37.8 C while a
combustible liquid has a flash point greater than 37.8 C.
Example: Flash point of Acetone is - 17.8 C (*closed cup) and that of
Aniline is 70.0 C (*closed cup). The lower the flash point, the greater the
potential fire hazard.
2. Flammable (Explosive) Range
This is the range between the lowest explosive limit (LEL) and the
upper explosive limit (UEL).
The LEL is the lowest concentration of vapour in air which will burn
or explode upon contact with a source of ignition. Below the LEL, the
mixture is too lean (i.e. there is insufficient fuel).
The UEL is the highest concentration of vapour in air which will burn
or explode upon contact with a source of ignition. Above the UEL, the
mixture is too rich to burn (i.e. there is insufficient oxygen).
The LEL and UEL are usually indicated by the percentage by volume
of vapour in air.
Example - For diethyl ether, the LEL is 1.9% and the UEL is 36% by volume
of air.

This range becomes wider with increasing temperature and in

oxygen-rich atmospheres. For most solvents the LEL lies in the range 1-5%
in air and therefore good ventilation is essential in order to minimize the
risk of forming a flammable or explosive atmosphere when such
substances are used. However, it is significant that the LEL for most
substances is considerably greater than the recommended hygiene
standards for the concentration of vapour in the workroom air.
3. Auto-Ignition Temperature
The autoignition temperature of a substance is the minimum
temperature required to initiate or cause self-sustained combustion, in the
absence of a spark or flame.

Example:
1. A steam line or a glowing light bulb may ignite carbon disulphide
(autoignition temperature is 100 C).
2. Diethyl ether (autoignition temperature is 160 C) can be ignited by the
surface of a hot plate.
4. Vapour Density
The vapour density is the ratio of the density of the gas or vapour to
the density of air (vapour density of air = 1). Generally, vapours from
flammable liquids are denser than air and thus tend to sink to ground level
where they can spread over a large area.

Example:- Vapour density of ethyl alcohol is 1.59.

5. Sources of Ignition
A source of ignition represents a sufficiently high enough
temperature to ignite a fuel. Common sources of ignition include:- open
flames, hot surfaces, static electricity, smoking material, cutting and
welding operations, radiant heat, frictional heat, electrical and mechanical
(frictional) sparks, spontaneous combustion, and heat-producing chemical
reactions.

Examples of generation of static electricity:1. A rapidly moving belt develops static electricity by coming in contact with
the pulley and then moving away from it.
2. Paper and cloth take on static charges when passing through machines.
3. Paint spraying generates static.
4. Static charges are produced by the flow of flammable liquids into or from
tanks or other containers through pipes, hose, or even air, or by pouring
from one container to another.

Static electricity accumulations sufficient to cause a spark can, however, be

prevented by grounding, bonding, or humidification. The danger of fire and explosion
presented by flammable liquids, generally, can be eliminated or minimized by strict
observance of safe storing, dispensing, and handling procedures.
6. Vapor pressure

The vapor pressure of a liquid, which varies with its temperature, is a measure
of how much the vapor of the liquid tends to concentrate in the surrounding
atmosphere as the liquid evaporates. Vapor pressure is a major determinant of the
flash point, with higher vapor pressures leading to lower flash points and higher
flammability

Classification of flammability
The US Government uses the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) standard
for flammability ratings, as do many US regulatory agencies, and also the US National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA).
The ratings are as follows:
Rating
Degree of flammability
0
Materials that will not burn
1
2
3
4

Materials that must be preheated before they will ignite

Materials that must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively
high ambient temperatures before they will ignite
Liquids and solids that can ignite under almost all temperature
conditions
Materials which will rapidly vaporize at atmospheric pressure and
normal temperatures, or are readily dispersed in air and which
burn readily

Examples
water
lubricating oils,
cooking oils
diesel fuel
gasoline, acetone
natural gas,
propane, butane