What is combustible?
Combustible also means the ability to catch fire. In general, flammable liquids need to ignite at lower temperatures than combustible liquids. It’s crucial to understand the combustion levels for various liquids, just like for flammable liquids, so you can maintain a secure workplace.
What is flammable?
Flammable is the ability for something to easily catch fire. When discussing liquids like chemicals or paint, you’ll likely hear the term “flammable” while working for a manufacturing company or on a construction site. Learning about each potentially flammable liquid you work with is essential for keeping you safe because flammable liquids must reach a certain temperature before they catch fire.
Where to store flammables and combustibles
Keep hazardous materials in accordance with their specific regulations and instructions, including the fire and electrical codes for your building. These recommendations detail safe storage locations, the precise amount of liquid permitted per storage container, and the maximum number of containers permitted in the storage area.
Use approved safety storage containers that adhere to NFPA and OSHA construction and design standards when storing hazardous materials because they are designed to safely contain these liquids. Avoid storing liquids in plastic or glass unless doing so won’t affect the liquid or won’t cause the liquid to corrode the metal container.
When choosing storage spaces, choose areas that are:
Flammable vs. combustible
The precise temperature at which they ignite is what separates flammable and combustible liquids. Despite the fact that the terms refer to liquids, it is the vapor that collects on their surface rather than the liquid itself that burns. To further help you distinguish between flammable and combustible materials, consider the following terms:
Flashpoint
The flashpoint, or lowest temperature at which a liquid’s vapors transform into flammable gas and can ignite, is the primary distinction between flammable and combustible liquids. The risk that a liquid poses increases with decreasing flashpoint. Flammable liquids have a lower flashpoint than combustible liquids.
For both flammable and combustible liquids, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide different flashpoint ranges. According to OSHA, flammable liquids have a flashpoint of 199. 4 degrees Fahrenheit, while the NFPA lists 100 degrees Fahrenheit as the flammable flashpoint. So a liquid becomes combustible whenever it is above either of these flashpoints.
Boiling point
The temperature at which a liquid’s vapor pressure equals that of the surrounding air causes the liquid to vaporize is known as the boiling point. Higher vapor pressure and lower boiling points make some liquids easier to burn. Depending on the liquid, different flammable and combustible liquids have different boiling points.
Explosive range
The term “explosive range” describes the area where a gas or vapor concentration burns or explodes when an ignition source is present. Each flammable or combustible liquid has a specific ratio that must be reached for the liquid to ignite when combined with an oxidizer, such as oxygen.
Workplace safe handling tips
Here are some general guidelines for safe handling to remember:
Follow health and safety rules
To prevent touching or inhaling these liquids, always abide by the health and safety regulations that are relevant to your job and wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. There should be a safety data sheet (SDS) for each hazardous material that details how to handle that specific substance safely. Additionally, they provide information on the characteristics, categorizations, and health risks as well as how to handle them.
Implement an emergency plan
Setting up an emergency plan can help keep people safe and reduce the possibility of harm and injury. Consult the material data safety sheet (MSDS) for each hazardous material for specific information on how to clean up spills, what fire extinguishers are appropriate, and how to administer first aid. There are many resources you can consult or contact if you’re unsure which protocols and procedures to include in your emergency plan, including your local fire departments and the producer or supplier of the materials.
Provide safety training
You and your team are protected from needless harm by providing appropriate safety training and using personal protective equipment when necessary. Training might cover:
Review additional tips
Here are additional tips to consider:
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
FAQ
What is the difference between ignitable and flammable?
A combustible material is something that can burn (i. e. , combust) in air. If a combustible substance easily ignites at room temperature, it is flammable. In other words, a flammable material catches fire right away when exposed to flame, whereas combustible materials require some effort to ignite.
Is Wood flammable or combustible?
The term “ignitable liquid” is used in FMG DS 7-29 and refers to any liquid with a measurable fire point. They don’t refer to it as flammable liquid or combustible liquid. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, the term “flashpoint” always refers to the closed-cup flashpoint.
Is diesel combustible or flammable?
Combustible material is defined as a substance that, when exposed to fire or heat, will ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors in the form and circumstances anticipated. Wood, paper, rubber, and plastics are examples of combustible materials.
