Section 3 Fire Safety Chapter 3 Defining Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Defining Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Flammable Liquids The National Fire Protection Association defines flammable liquids as any liquid having a flash point below 100F and having a vapor pressure exceeding 2068.6 mm Hg (40 psia) at 100F. Class IA flash point below 73F and Boiling Point (B.P). at or below 100F Class IB flash point below 73F and B.P. above 100F Class IC flash point at or above 73F, but below 100F Combustible Liquids The National Fire Protection Association defines combustible liquids as any liquid having a flash point at or above 100F Class II flash point at or above 100F, but below 140F. Class IIIA flash point at or above 140F, but below 200F. Class IIIB flash point at or above 200F.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) System for Classification of Hazards

The NFPA diamond is a symbol used to identify the hazards associated with a given chemical to rescue workers. Frequently this symbol is found on the sides of buildings where chemicals are stored and on chemical containers. Below are shown the various hazards symbolized by the diamond and the numerical code which indicates the severity of the hazard. Class IA & IB flammable liquids have an NFPA Fire Hazard rating of 4. Class IC flammable liquids are rated as 3. Combustible liquids are rated as 1, or 2.

HEALTH HAZARD
4 Deadly 3 Extreme Danger 2 Hazardous 1 Slightly Hazardous

FIRE HAZARD

Flash Points: 4 Below 73 F 3 Below 100 F 2 Above 100 F, Not Exceeding 200 F 1 Above 200 F 0 Will not burn

SPECIFIC HAZARD
Oxidizer OX Acid ACID Alkali ALK Corrosive CORR Use NO WATER Radioactive

REACTIVITY

4 May detonate 3 Shock and heat may detonate 2 Violent chemical change 1 Unstable if heated 0 Stable

Section 3 Fire Safety Chapter 3 Defining Flammable and Combustible Liquids

NFPA Fire Hazard Ratings of Some Common Laboratory Chemicals

NFPA Rating Acetaldehyde 4 Acetic Acid (glacial) 2 Acetone 3 Acetonitrile 3 Carbon disulfide 3 Cyclohexane 3 Diethylamine 3 Diethyl ether 4 Dimethyl sulfoxide 1 Ethyl alcohol 3 Heptane 3 Hexane 3 Hydrogen 4 Isopropyl alcohol 3 Methyl alcohol 3 Methyl ethyl ketone 3 Pentane 4 Styrene 3 Tetrahydrofuran 3 Toluene 3 p-Xylene 3

Flash Point (C) -37.8 39 -18 6 -30.0 -20.0 -23 -45.0 95 12.8 -3.9 -21.7 --11.7 11.1 -6.1 -40.0 32.2 -14 4.4 27.2

Boiling Point (C) 21.1 118 5607 82 46.1 81.7 57 35.0 189 78.3 98.3 68.9 -252 82.8 64.9 80 36.1 146.1 66 110 138.3

Ignition Temp. (C) 175 463 465 524 90 245 312 160 215 365 204 225 500 3 385 515 260 490 321 480 530

Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids Outside of Flammable Storage Cabinets The maximum quantity of Class I Flammable Liquids outside an approved storage cabinet shall not exceed 2 gallons per 100 square feet of laboratory space. The combined maximum quantity of Class I, II and III Flammable Liquids and Combustibles outside an approved storage cabinet shall not exceed 5 gallons per 100 square feet of laboratory space.

Section 3 Fire Safety Chapter 3 Defining Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Chemical containers, not actively being used, should not be stored in the work area of chemical fume hoods. Too much clutter can disrupt air-flow patterns and potentially compromise worker protection. Storage of Flammable Liquids in Refrigerators and Freezers Per enforcement directive from the City of Durham Fire Marshal, all laboratory refrigerators and freezers must be labeled to indicate whether or not they are suitable for storing flammable liquids. Refrigerators and freezers utilized throughout the University, Hospital, and Medical Center generally fall within the following three categories: 1. Those designed to store flammable liquids with all electrical equipment that meets Class I, Division I requirements. 2. Those that have been modified by a licensed electrician to meet the Class I, Division I requirements. 3. Those residential-types that cannot be utilized to store flammable liquids, but are used to store other chemicals or laboratory reagents. Those refrigerators and freezers which fall into either category 1 or 2 will require a blue and white label which states that the device is approved for flammable storage. Those which fall into category 3 will require a red and white label be affixed which states that the appliance is not approved for flammable storage.

To request aid in identifying the category in which an appliance falls, contact the OESO Fire Safety Division at 919-684-5609.