Facts about flammable and combustible liquids

 Flammable and combustible liquids ignite easily and burn with extreme rapidity.
 Flammability is determined by the flash point of a material.
 Flash point is the minimum temperature at which a liquid forms a vapor above its surface in
sufficient concentration that it can be ignited.
 Flammable liquids have a flash point of less than 100°F. Liquids with lower flash points ignite
easier.
 Combustible liquids have a flashpoint at or above 100°F.
 The vapor burns, not the liquid itself. The rate at which a liquid produces flammable vapors
depends upon its vapor pressure.
 The vaporization rate increases as the temperature increases. Therefore, flammable and
combustible liquids are more hazardous at elevated temperatures than at room temperature.
 Class 1 Flammable Liquids must be bonded and grounded when transferring liquids.
Restrictions and guidelines
Because their vapors ignite and burn easily, flammable and combustible liquids have strict storage
requirements. The hazard classification of a liquid determines the type and size of container in which
it can be stored. For more information, see:

 Container size and quantity limits

 Flammable and combustible liquids storage guidelines
Hazard classifications
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) hazard classifications for flammable and combustible
liquids are listed below:

Hazard classification for flammable liquids

Class Flash point Boiling point Examples
I-A below 73°F below 100°F diethyl ether, pentane, ligroin,
(23°C) (38°C) petroleum ether
I-B below 73°F at or above 100°F acetone, benzene, cyclohexane,
(23°C) (38°C) ethanol
I-C 73-100°F (24- ---- p-xylene
38°C)
Hazard classification for combustible liquids
II 101-140°F (39- ---- diesel fuel, motor oil, kerosene,
60°C) cleaning solvents
III-A 141-199°F (61- ---- paints (oil base), linseed oil, mineral
93°C) oil
III-B 200°F (93°C) or ---- paints (oil base), neats foot oil
above