Flammable and Combustible Liquids

i. Flammable Materials Flammable and Combustible Liquids (Examples: alcohols, esters, ethers, ketones) Vapors from flammable and combustible liquids can mix with air and burn if they contact an ignition source. Possible ignition sources include hot electrical wires, hot surfaces, open flames, hot particles and embers, and sparks. The lowest temperature at which a liquid releases enough vapor to start burning is called the flash point. The flash point is what distinguishes a flammable liquid from a combustible liquid. Flammables: Liquids classified as flammable have flash points below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. At normal room temperature, flammable liquids are a much greater fire hazard than combustible liquids. Flammables include lacquer thinner, turpentine, acetone, ether, alcohol, gasoline, toluene and shellac. For example, ethyl ether (a common solvent) has a flash point (FP) of –49 deg. F and acetone has a FP of 0 deg. F.
Combustibles: These liquids have vapors which burn when heated above 100 deg. F. Combustibles include fuel oil, kerosene, mineral oil and paints. Flammable Solids Examples –
Organic Solids: camphor, cellulose nitrate and napthalene.
Inorganic Solids: decaborane, lithium amide, phosphorous heptasulfide, phosphorous sesquisulfide, potassium sulfide, anhydrous sodium sulfide and sulfur Combustible Metals: (except dusts and powders): cesium, magnesium and zirconium, aluminum powder, calcium/magnesium/sodium metals. Combustible Dusts/Powders:(including metals): finely divided flammable solids which may be dispersed in air as a dust cloud. Examples: wood sawdust, plastics, coal, flour and powdered metal (few exceptions). Water Reactives: Sodium, potassium metal, certain metal hydrides such as lithium aluminum hydride and calcium hydride. Flammable solids are materials which burn so vigorously or persistently when ignited that a serious hazard is created. Flammable solids include finely divided solid materials