Safe Handling of

Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Flammable and Combustible Liquids
The determining factor in whether a liquid is
flammable or combustible is its flashpoint.

Flashpoint: The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives

off enough vapor within a test vessel in sufficient
concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air near the
surface of the liquid.

Remember, it is the vapors, not the liquid, that Burns!

A chemical’s flashpoint is listed on the MSDS under the Fire and Explosion
section.
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Flammable Liquids Combustible Liquids

Any liquid having a Any liquid having a

flashpoint below 100o F flashpoint at or above
(37.8o C) or lower. 100o F (37.8o C).

NFPA Classes IA, IB, & IC NFPA Classes II & IIIA & B
Flammable and Combustible Liquid
Classifications
Flammable Liquid - any liquid having a flashpoint below 100o F
(37.8o C) or higher, the total of which make up 99 percent or more
of the total volume of the mixture. Flammable liquids shall be
known as Class I liquids. Class I liquids are divided into three
classes as follows:

Class IA - shall include liquids having flashpoints below 73 F (22.8 C)

and having a boiling point below 100 F (37.8 C).

Class IB - shall include liquids having flashpoints below 73 F (22.8 C)

And having a boiling point at or above 100 F (37.8 C).

Class IC - shall include liquids having flashpoints at or above 73 F

(22.8 C) and below 100 F (37.8 C).
 Flammable and Combustible Liquid
Classifications (Cont.)
Combustible Liquid - any liquid having a flashpoint at or above
100o F (37.8o C). Combustible liquids shall be divided into two
classes as follows:

Class II - shall include those with flashpoints at or above

100 F (37.8 C) and below 140 F (60 C), except any mixture
having components with flashpoints of 200 F (93.3 C) or higher,
the volume of which makes up 99 percent or more of the total
volume of the mixture.

Class III - shall include those with flashpoints at or above

140 F (60 C).
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Classifications (Cont.)
Class III liquids are subdivided into two
subclasses:

Class IIIA - shall include those with flashpoints at or above

140 F (60 C) and below 200 F (93.3 C), except any
mixture having components with flashpoints of 200 F (93.3
C), or higher, the total volume of which makes up 99
percent or more of the total volume of the mixture.

Class IIIB - shall include those with flashpoints at or above

200 F (93.3 C).
 Classes of Flammable
and Combustible Liquids

200

IIIA
Fla COMBUSTIBLE
shp 140 (Flash Point >100 F)
oint II
(Fo) 100
73
IC
FLAMMABLE
(Flash Point < 100 F)
IA IB
100

Boiling Point (F)

 Flammable Liquids in the Plant
 Triethalemine 17o F  Enamel Reducer 20o F
 Barsol A-2316 54o F  Isopropyl Alcohol 45oF
 Acetone Solvent 0o F  Methanol 45o F
 Barsol A-2343 56o F  MEK 23o F
 Barsol A-3447 0oF  Xylene 79o F
 N-Butanol 36o F  Toluene 45o F
 Sec. Butanol 72o F  Gasoline -50o F
 Glycol Ether 94o F  142 Solvent 66/3 610 F
 Explosive Limits
Explosive limits involve the concentration level of
the given chemical in the air.

In popular jargon, a vapor/air mixture below the

flammable limit is too lean to burn or explode. A
mixture above the upper flammable limits is too
rich to burn.

Most flammable liquids are volatile, meaning they

evaporate quickly, and can reach a concentration
in air that could lead to an explosion.
Lower and Upper Explosive Levels
(LEL/UEL)
Controlling the potential for fire and explosion with flammable
liquids is done through safe Storage, Transfer, Use
and Disposal!
Hazards of Flammable Liquids
Exposure Control Measures Include:

 Eliminating flames, static electricity, & sparks from

electrical circuits.
 Temperature.
 Proper Ventilation.
 Grounding/Bonding.
 Spill Control/Emergency Response.
 Proper disposal of spent flammable
liquids and soaked rags.
Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Definitions
Grounding: Applying a grounding wire to a container to
eliminate a difference in static charge changes the
potential between an object and ground.

Bonding: Use of a wire between two drums to eliminate

the static charge potential between objects.
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Definitions (cont.)
Ventilation: Adequate if it is sufficient to prevent the accumulation of
significant quantities of vapor-air mixtures in concentrations over ¼
of the Lower Explosive Limit.

Safety Can: An approved red container, of not more than 5 gallons

capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and so
designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected
to fire exposure.

Oily Waste Can: A self closing metal container used to store oil
soaked rags.
Container & Portable Tank Storage
Design, Construction and Capacity of Containers

Only approved containers and portable tanks may be used to store

flammable and combustible liquids. Metal containers and portable
tanks meeting the requirements of the Department of Transportation
are deemed acceptable when containing products.

Not more than 60 gallons of Class I and/or Class II liquids, or not

more than 120 gallons of Class III liquids may be stored in an
individual cabinet.

FLAMMABLE

Keep Fire Away

 Safe Storage Practices

 No open flames, smoking, sparks or welding

is allowed in flammable liquid storage areas.
 Store in a cool location. Not outside in direct sunlight.
The warmer the flammable liquid is the more vapors it
generates!
 Storage shall be in an open or well ventilated area.
 Do not store need oxidizers.
 Drums of flammable liquid shall be grounded.
 A 10 lbs. fire extinguisher shall be readily accessible
within the storage area.
 Storage Inside Building
 Flammable or combustible liquid drums shall not be stored
so as to limit use of exits, stairways, or areas normally used
for the safe egress of people.

 The storage of flammable or combustible liquids in

containers or portable tanks is prohibited in office occupancy
areas, except that which is required for maintenance and
operation of building and operation of equipment.

 Leaking containers shall be removed to a storage room or

taken to a safe location outside and the contents transferred
to an undamaged container.
 Incidental Storage (Small quantities)
Liquids located outside of storage
cabinets/areas shall not exceed:

 25 Gallons of Class IA in containers.

 120 Gallons of Class IB, IC or
Class II liquids in containers.
 Transferring of
Flammable Liquids
 Liquids shall be kept in covered/closed containers when
actually not in use.
 Open flame and smoking is strictly prohibited in
transferring areas.
 Liquid transfer shall be through a devise drawing through
the top of the drum or by gravity through an approved
self-closing valve. Transfer by air pressure is prohibited.
 Containers from which flammable liquids are dispensed
are to be grounded and bonded to avoid fire due to static
electricity.
 Flammable liquids are only to be dispensed
into approved safety cans.
 Use and Disposal of
Flammable Liquids
 Open flames, smoking, welding/brazing is
prohibited in areas where flammable liquids are
store, transferred, used or disposed of.
 Keep containers and drums sealed when not in use.
 Clean up spills!
 Maintain good ventilation.
 Mixing of flammable liquids is prohibited!
(Mixing flammable liquids can lower their combined flashpoint.)
 Rags used to apply flammable liquids are to be disposed
of in a self-closing oily waste can.