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Flammable Liquids
Properties of Flammable Liquids
The vapor of a flammable liquid ignites and causes fire or explosion not the liquid itself. The flammability of a liquid depends on its physical properties: Vapor Pressure Flash Point Limits of Flammability Vapor Density
Flammable Liquids
Vapor Pressure
Vapor pressure is a measure of how fast
a liquid evaporates.
The higher the vapor pressure the more rapidly the liquid will evaporate. Vapor pressure goes up and down with the temperature of the liquid. Hydraulic Systems uses oil under pressure to harness the usefulness of chemicals. When System are compromised, hazardous conditions can be magnified.
Flash
point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture in air near the surface of the liquid. The lower the flash point, the easier it is to ignite the material. For example, gasoline has a flash point of -40 degrees C (-40 F) and is more flammable than ethylene glycol (antifreeze) which has a flash point of 111 degrees C (232 F).
point
The minimum temperature at which a substance will continue to burn without additional application of external heat. Also called kindling point.
Flammable Liquids
Limits of Flammability
The limits of flammability is the range that a mixture of air and vapor is flammable. Mixtures can be too lean (not enough vapor) or too rich (too much vapor) to ignite and burn.
Flammable Liquids
Flammable Limits Example
Flammable Liquids
Lower Explosive Limit LEL
In most work situations, the lower explosive limit (LEL) is the main concern. Vapors from flammable liquids can be found in the workplace, but are often too diluted to catch fire or explode. However, these vapors can quickly go above the LEL in small room or confined space like a tank.
Flammable Liquids
Vapor Density
Vapor density is a measure of how heavy a vapor is compared to air. Vapors with a density greater than 1.0 are heavier than air and can collect near the floor, and flow like a liquid. This may create a fire/explosion hazard if the vapor flows to an ignition source.
point is the temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas (vapor) at normal atmospheric pressure. A more specific definition of boiling point is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to the external pressure.
32 F. Turns to liquid at above 32 F. Boils & changes to Gas at 212 F. Expands 17,000 times it normal size when heated.
freezes at
Boiling Point
MSDS relevance Knowing the boiling point of a substance is an important consideration for storage. For example, storing a chemical with a boiling point of 50 C (122 F) in direct sunlight or next to a boiler could cause the material to completely vaporize and/or result in a fire or explosion. Items with a low boiling point generally have a high vapor pressure. Containers of such material can build up significant pressure even when they are below their boiling point. Likewise, low-boiling materials easily produce large amounts of vapor which can be flammable or even explosive.
Sufficient oxygen must be present in the atmosphere surrounding the fuel for fire to burn.
This reaction can occur when all three of the above elements are present in the proper conditions & proportions.
Extinguishment Theory
Remove Heat Remove Fuel Reduce Oxygen
WILL
1. Storing flammable and combustible in appropriate areas. 2. On equipment, in fire cabinets, in work areas.
chemical are present in your work area? What are there flash points?
In stationary equipment areas On mobile equipment At shops
What
following is a list of chemicals used on this site, some of these you may even use at home. Do you know how they are stored? At work? At home? See if you know which chemical is which.
247f/119c 145f/78c 160f 320f/160c 356f/180c <-49f/<-45c 0f/-18c -101f/-75.9c None -156f/-104c -43.7f/-42c 79f 73f/23c 175f
Acetylene Gasoline Diesel Fuel Hydraulic 40-wt oil Propane Butane Citrol CRC Contact Cleaner Form Oil Averoe Tree Paint Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) Carburetor Cleaner Form Oil CRC Power lube
glycol
145f/78c--------
Answer
160f------Diesel
320f/160c-----Form
356f/180c-----40-wt
<-49f/<-45c----Unleaded
Answer
0f/-18c----Acetylene
-101f/-75.9c-Butane, None------
Answer
-156f/-104c--Propane-Auto -43.7f/-42c----
IP 842f
79fCarburetor
Cleaner-BP 110F
Answer
73f/23c-------------
175f----
In Conclusion
Any situation that can lead to a fire underground is not good. Lets all do our part to make sure our work areas are accident free & fire safe.