Flammable Materials

Created by :

Angga Harsyah

061330401031

Dyvia Rosa Aprilyanty

061330401035

Meyriski Lialita

061330401041

Romadhona Safitri

061330401047

Yulia malasari

061330401051

Class : 3KE

Chemical Engineering Departement

State Polytechnic of Sriwijaya
2014/2015

FLAMMABLE

1. Introduction
Managing hazards associated with flammable and combustible liquids requires a
comprehensive strategy tailored to the conditions of their use. While preventive
measures, such as spill prevention and ignition control, should receive the utmost
attention, measures to mitigate fires and explosions should also be addressed. A strategy
relying solely on prevention could be ineffective as unforeseen circumstances may arise.
The primary objective should minimize the life safety risk associated with the use of
these materials. Other secondary consequences, such as environmental exposure,
business interruption, and property damage, should also be factored into the strategy.
This strategy should consider various scenarios, such as the potential for static pool fires,
two dimensional flowing fires, three dimensional spill fires, as well as pressurized or
spray fires. Also, explosions can result from combustion of vapors in either a confined or
unconfined setting.

2. Definition of Flammable
A flammable material is any liquid, solid or gas that will ignite easily and burn
rapidly. Materials that are flammable are of concern due to their ability to render
damage to property and more importantly, to injure or cause death of workers.

3. Classification, Example, and Properties of Flammable Materials

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 NFPA 30 classification system is as follows:
Flammable Liquid
Class IA Flash Point < 73 F (22.8 C) & Boiling Point < 100 F (37.8 C)
Class IB Flash Point < 73 F (22.8 C) & Boiling Point 100 F (37.8C
Class IC Flash Point 73 F (22.8 C) & < 100 F (37.8 C)
Combustible Liquid
Class II Flash Point 100 F (37.8 C) & < 140 F (60 C)
Class IIIA Flash Point 140 F (60 C) & < 200 F (93 C)
Class IIIB Flash Point 200 F (93 C)
Table 1 lists ignition properties for a sample of flammable liquids and is sorted
from lowest flash point to highest. Properties associated with electrostatic ignition
include electrical conductivity, minimum ignition energy (MIE), and charge
relaxation times. The auto ignition temperatures (AITs) are also shown.
Material

NFPA
Class

Flash
Boiling
Point F Temperatur
(C)
e F (C)

Electrical
Conductivit
y (pS/m)

MIE
(mJ)

Charge
Relaxation
Time (s)

Diethyl
Ether
Acetone

IA

-49(- 45)

95 (35)

30

0.29

1.4

IB

- 4 (-20)

133 (56)

6 x 106

0.19

3.2 x 10-5

Heptane

IB

25 (-4)

209 (98)

< 1 x 101

0.2

~ 100

Isopropyl
Alcohol
Ethyl
Alcohol
Styrene
Monomer

IB

53 (12)

181 (83)

3.5 x 108

0.53

5 x 10-7

IB

55 (13)

173 (78)

1.35 x 105

0.23

1.6 X 10-3

IC

88 (31)

295 (146)

10

2.2

Auto
Ignition
Temperatur
e F (C)
356
(180)
869
(465)
399
(204)
750
(399)
685
(363)
450
(232)

The ratings are as follows:

Rating Degree of flammability

Examples

Materials that will not burn

water

Materials that must be preheated before they will ignite

lubricating oils,
cooking oils

Materials that must be moderately heated or exposed to diesel fuel

relatively high ambient temperatures before they will
ignite

Liquids and solids that can ignite under almost all gasoline,
temperature conditions

acetone

Materials which will rapidly vaporize at atmospheric natural

gas,

pressure and normal temperatures, or are readily propane, butane

dispersed in air and which burn readily

Examples of flammable substances

Flammable substances include, but are not limited to:

Gasoline - Petrol / a complicated mixture of hydrocarbons that includes isomers of

octane, C8H18

Ethanol / CH3CH2OH

Rubber

Isopropyl alcohol / CH3CH(OH)CH3

Methanol / CH3OH

Wood

Acetone / CH3COCH3

Paper

Nitromethane / CH3NO2

4. Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Flammable and combustible liquids should be stored only in approved
containers. Approval for containers is based on specifications developed by
organizations such as the US Department of Transportation (DOT), OSHA,
the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) or American National Standards
Institute (ANSI). Containers used by the manufacturers of flammable and combustible
liquids generally meet these specifications.
Safety Cans and Closed Containers

Many types of containers are required depending on

the quantities and classes of flammable or combustible
liquids in use. A safety can is an approved container of
not more than 5 gallons capacity that has a spring
closing lid and spout cover. Safety cans are designed
to safely relieve internal pressure when exposed to fire
conditions. A closed container is one sealed by a lid or
other device so that liquid and vapor cannot escape at
ordinary temperatures.
Colors are used to designate what type of liquid
is being stored so it can be quickly and visually
identified without label reading. Using colors to differentiate between various types of
liquids helps avoid costly errors when more than one type of liquid is present at a
worksite. It reduces errors because content identification is easier.
Red Flammable Liquids

General flammable liquids storage - Red is the most widely used

(and OSHA-accepted) color for flammable liquid safety cans. Heavy-duty, high
grade coated steel construction features special reinforcing ribs to strengthen
sidewalls for extra "bumper guard" protection. The self-closing, leakproof lid helps
prevent spills and leaks.
Green (Oils)

Green flammable liquid safety cans for oils storage - Using

colors to differentiate between various types of liquids helps avoid costly errors
when more than one type of liquid is present at a worksite. Unique counterbalance,
ergonomic design with full-fisted grip handle offers gravity-assisted pouring.

Blue (Kerosene)

Blue safety cans for kerosene storage - Colors are used to

designate what type of liquid is being stored so it can be quickly, visually identified
without label reading. To protect against rupture or explosion, positive pressure
relief mechanism automatically vents between 3 and 5 psig.
Yellow (Diesel)

Yellow safety cans are used for diesel fuel (although like all Type I
cans, they can handle any flammable liquid). Finished in a tough powder coat paint,
these cans resist chemicals and standup to heavy abuse. Safety can meets OSHA and
NFPA requirements, and carries an exclusive Justrite Ten-Year Warranty.
Polyethylene

Excellent for corrosives - Choose Type I nonmetallic, high-density

polyethylene Safety Cans when dent and chemical resistance are vital. Polyethylene
construction means it is inert, so it stands up to tough acids and corrosives as well as
heat. Its dent, puncture and chip resistant.

Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets

A flammable liquid storage cabinet is an approved cabinet that has been designed
and constructed to protect the contents from external fires. Storage cabinets are
usually equipped with vents, which are plugged by the cabinet manufacturer. Since
venting is not required by any code or the by local municipalities and since venting
may actually prevent the cabinet from protecting its contents, vents should remain
plugged at all times. Storage cabinets must also be conspicuously
labeled "FLAMMABLE KEEP FIRE AWAY".

Refrigerators
Use only those refrigerators that have been designed and manufactured for
flammable liquid storage. Standard household refrigerators must not be used for
flammable storage because internal parts could spark and ignite. Refrigerators must be
prominently labeled as to whether or not they are suitable for flammable liquid
storage.
Storage Considerations:

Quantities should be limited to the amount necessary for the work in progress.
No more than 10 gallons of flammable and combustible liquids, combined, should
be stored outside of a flammable storage cabinet unless safety cans are used. When
safety cans are used, up to 25 gallons may be stored without using a flammable
storage cabinet.
Storage of flammable liquids must not obstruct any exit.
Flammable liquids should be stored separately from strong oxidizers, shielded from
direct sunlight, and away from heat sources. SeeAnecdotes for a description of an
incident involving a flammable material stored near a hot plate.

5. Handling Precautions
The main objective in working safely with flammable liquids is to avoid
accumulation of vapors and to control sources of ignition.
Besides the more obvious ignition sources, such as open flames from Bunsen
burners, matches and cigarette smoking, less obvious sources, such as electrical
equipment, static electricity and gas-fired heating devices should be considered.
Accounts of a few of the fires that have occurred in our laboratories may be found
in Anecdotes.
Some electrical equipment, including switches, stirrers, motors, and relays can
produce sparks that can ignite vapors. Although some newer equipment have sparkfree induction motors, the on-off switches and speed controls may be able to produce
a spark when they are adjusted because they have exposed contacts. One solution is to
remove any switches located on the device and insert a switch on the cord near the
plug end.

Pouring flammable liquids can generate static electricity. The development of

static electricity is related to the humidity levels in the area. Cold, dry atmospheres are
more likely to facilitate static electricity. Bonding or using ground straps for metallic
or non-metallic containers can prevent static generation.

Control all ignition sources in areas where flammable liquids are used.
Smoking, open flames and spark producing equipment should not be used.
Whenever possible use plastic or metal containers or safety cans.
When working with open containers, use a laboratory fume hood to control the
accumulation of flammable vapor.
Use bottle carriers for transporting glass containers.
Use equipment with spark-free, intrinsically safe induction motors or air
motors to avoid producing sparks. These motors must meet National Electric
Safety Code (US DOC, 1993) Class 1, Division 2, Group C-D explosion
resistance specifications. Many stirrers, Variacs, outlet strips, ovens, heat tape,
hot plates and heat guns do notconform to these code requirements.
Avoid using equipment with series-wound motors, since they are likely to
produce sparks.
Do not heat flammable liquids with an open flame. Steam baths, salt and sand
baths, oil and wax baths, heating mantles and hot air or nitrogen baths are
preferable.
Minimize the production of vapors and the associated risk of ignition by
flashback. Vapors from flammable liquids are denser than air and tend to sink
to the floor level where they can spread over a large area.
Electrically bond metal containers when transferring flammable liquids from
one to another. Bonding can be direct, as a wire attached to both containers, or
indirect, as through a common ground system.
When grounding non-metallic containers, contact must be made directly to the
liquid, rather than to the container.
In the rare circumstance that static cannot be avoided, proceed slowly to give
the charge time to disperse or conduct the procedure in an inert atmosphere.

Fire Extinguisher Training

In order to understand how fire extinguishers work, you first need to know a little bit
about fire.
Four things must be present at the same time in order to produce fire:
Enough oxygen to sustain combustion,
Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature,
Some sort of fuel or combustible material, and
The chemical, exothermic reaction that is fire.

Take a look at the following diagram, called the "Fire Triangle"

Oxygen, heat, and fuel are frequently referred to as the "fire triangle." Add in the
fourth element, the chemical reaction, and you actually have a fire
"tetrahedron." The important thing to remember is: take any of these four
things away, and you will not have a fire or the fire will be extinguished.
Essentially, fire extinguishers put out fire by taking away one or more elements of the
fire triangle/tetrahedron.
Fire safety, at its most basic, is based upon the principle of keeping fuel sources and
ignition sources separate.
How To Use a Fire Extinguisher
It's easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if you can
remember the acronym PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and
Sweep.

Pull the pin.

This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

Aim at the base of the fire.

If you aim at the flames (which is frequently the
temptation), the extinguishing agent will fly right
through and do no good. You want to hit the fuel.

Squeeze the top handle or lever.

This depresses a button that releases the pressurized
extinguishing agent in the extinguisher.

Sweep from side to side

until the fire is completely out. Start using the
extinguisher from a safe distance away, then move
forward. Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the area in
case it re-ignites.