Flash Point-Ignition PointFlash Point-Ignition Point

What?What?

At Work Or At HomeAt Work Or At Home

Everyday We Use Everyday We Use Chemicals Whether At Chemicals Whether At Work Or In The HomeWork Or In The Home

Proper Storage & Proper Storage & Understanding How Understanding How

Dangerous Chemicals Can Dangerous Chemicals Can Become If Subjected To Heat Is Become If Subjected To Heat Is Using Just Using Using Just Using Good Safety Good Safety

Common SenseCommon Sense..

Flammable LiquidsFlammable LiquidsProperties of Flammable Liquids

•The vapor of a flammable liquid ignites and causes fire or explosion – not the liquid itself.

•The flammability of a liquid depends on its physical properties:

•Vapor Pressure

•Flash Point

•Limits of Flammability

•Vapor Density

Flammable LiquidsFlammable LiquidsVapor Pressure

• Vapor pressure is a measure of how fast a liquid evaporates. • The higher the vapor pressure the more rapidly the liquid will evaporate.

• Vapor pressure goes up and down with the temperature of the liquid.

•Hydraulic Systems uses oil under pressure to harness the usefulness of chemicals. When System are compromised, hazardous conditions can be magnified.

What is Flash Point?What is Flash Point?

► Flash pointFlash point is the lowest temperature at is the lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable which a liquid can form an ignitable mixturemixture in in airair near the surface of the liquid. near the surface of the liquid.

► The lower the flash point, the easier it is to The lower the flash point, the easier it is to ignite the material. For example, gasoline ignite the material. For example, gasoline has a flash point of -40 has a flash point of -40 degrees C (-40 F)degrees C (-40 F) and is more flammable than ethylene glycol and is more flammable than ethylene glycol (antifreeze) which has a flash point of 111 (antifreeze) which has a flash point of 111 degrees C (232 F). degrees C (232 F).

What Is Ignition PointWhat Is Ignition Point

►Ignition pointIgnition point

The minimum temperature at which a The minimum temperature at which a substance will continue to burn without substance will continue to burn without additional application of external heat. additional application of external heat. Also called Also called kindling pointkindling point..

Flammable LiquidsFlammable LiquidsLimits of Flammability

• The limits of flammability is the range that a mixture of air and vapor is flammable.

• Mixtures can be too lean (not enough vapor) or too rich (too much vapor) to ignite and burn.

Flammable LiquidsFlammable LiquidsFlammable Limits Example

LEL – “lower explosive limit”

UEL – “upper explosive limit”

Flammable LiquidsFlammable LiquidsLower Explosive Limit – LEL

In most work situations, the “lower explosive limit” (LEL) is the main concern.

Vapors from flammable liquids can be found in the workplace, but are often too diluted to catch fire or explode.

However, these vapors can quickly go above the LEL in small room or confined space like a tank.

Flammable LiquidsFlammable LiquidsVapor Density

• “Vapor density” is a measure of how heavy a vapor is compared to air.

• Vapors with a density greater than 1.0 are heavier than air and can collect near the floor, and “flow” like a liquid.

• This may create a fire/explosion hazard if the vapor flows to an ignition source.

Boiling PointBoiling Point DefinitionDefinition

►Boiling pointBoiling point is the temperature at is the temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas (which a liquid changes to a gas (vaporvapor) at ) at normal atmospheric pressurenormal atmospheric pressure. A . A more specific definition of boiling point more specific definition of boiling point is the temperature at which the is the temperature at which the vapor pressurevapor pressure of a liquid is equal to of a liquid is equal to the external pressure. the external pressure.

Example of Boiling PointExample of Boiling Point

►Water freezes at Water freezes at 32 °F.32 °F.

►Turns to liquid at Turns to liquid at above 32° F.above 32° F.

►Boils & changes to Boils & changes to Gas at 212° F.Gas at 212° F.

►Expands 17,000 Expands 17,000 times it normal times it normal size when heated.size when heated.

Boiling PointBoiling Point

► MSDS relevanceMSDS relevance► Knowing the boiling point of a substance is an Knowing the boiling point of a substance is an

important consideration for storage. For example, important consideration for storage. For example, storing a chemical with a boiling point of 50 °C (122 storing a chemical with a boiling point of 50 °C (122 °F) in direct sunlight or next to a boiler could cause °F) in direct sunlight or next to a boiler could cause the material to completely vaporize and/or result in the material to completely vaporize and/or result in a fire or explosion. a fire or explosion.

Items with a low boiling point generally have a high Items with a low boiling point generally have a high vapor pressure. Containers of such material can vapor pressure. Containers of such material can build up significant pressure even when they are build up significant pressure even when they are below their boiling point. Likewise, low-boiling below their boiling point. Likewise, low-boiling materials easily produce large amounts of vapor materials easily produce large amounts of vapor which can be flammable or even explosive. which can be flammable or even explosive.

When Condition Are Just RightWhen Condition Are Just RightAccidents ResultAccidents Result

► A spectacular example of the consequences of A spectacular example of the consequences of introducing a spark to a flammable limit atmosphere introducing a spark to a flammable limit atmosphere occurred in Newcastle in September of 2003. A pipe occurred in Newcastle in September of 2003. A pipe fitter left an acetylene cylinder inside his vehicle over fitter left an acetylene cylinder inside his vehicle over the weekend. Either the cylinder had a small leak or the the weekend. Either the cylinder had a small leak or the valve was not fully closed. The flammable limits for valve was not fully closed. The flammable limits for acetylene are extremely broad, 2.5% to 100% in air. acetylene are extremely broad, 2.5% to 100% in air.

► Flashpoint is 0° F/-18°C. Boiling point is -119°F/-84°C.Flashpoint is 0° F/-18°C. Boiling point is -119°F/-84°C.► When the worker opened the door, an undetermined When the worker opened the door, an undetermined

spark source (the door light switch, light bulb, cellular spark source (the door light switch, light bulb, cellular phone, static etc.) Ignited the mixture with catastrophic phone, static etc.) Ignited the mixture with catastrophic results: results:

► In the close-up view notice how the roof/door pillars are In the close-up view notice how the roof/door pillars are bent completely sideways. It is amazing that the bent completely sideways. It is amazing that the worker's injuries were confined to his face and ear worker's injuries were confined to his face and ear drums.drums.

What Makes Flash & Ignitions What Makes Flash & Ignitions PointsPoints

Dangerous.Dangerous.

Any combustible material such as: Any combustible material such as: solid, liquid, or gas. Most solids and solid, liquid, or gas. Most solids and liquids must vaporize before they will liquids must vaporize before they will burn.burn.

Sufficient oxygen must be present in Sufficient oxygen must be present in the atmosphere surrounding the fuel the atmosphere surrounding the fuel for fire to burn.for fire to burn.

Flash & Ignition PointsFlash & Ignition PointsSufficient heat energy must beSufficient heat energy must beapplied to raise the fuel to it’sapplied to raise the fuel to it’signition temperature.ignition temperature.

Open flameOpen flame Hot surfacesHot surfacesSparks and arcsSparks and arcs FrictionFriction

This reaction can occur whenall three of the above elementsare present in the properconditions & proportions.

Extinguishment TheoryExtinguishment Theory

Remove HeatRemove Heat Remove FuelRemove Fuel Reduce OxygenReduce Oxygen

►WILLWILL

Inhibit ChemicalInhibit Chemical

Chain ReactionChain Reaction

Proactive Fire SafetyProactive Fire SafetyFire Risk AnalysisFire Risk Analysis

►How do we identify potential fire risk?How do we identify potential fire risk?

Proactive Fire SafetyProactive Fire SafetyFire Risk Analysis Cont.Fire Risk Analysis Cont.

► Identify the fuel source & eliminate it if Identify the fuel source & eliminate it if possible.possible.

► Identify the heat source and eliminate it if Identify the heat source and eliminate it if possible.possible.

► Terminate behaviors that lead to hazardous Terminate behaviors that lead to hazardous conditions & replace with appropriate conditions & replace with appropriate behaviors conducive to good fire safety.behaviors conducive to good fire safety.

1.1. Storing flammable and combustible in Storing flammable and combustible in appropriate areas.appropriate areas.

2.2. On equipment, in fire cabinets, in work areas.On equipment, in fire cabinets, in work areas.

Identifying Fire Hazards In Your Identifying Fire Hazards In Your Work AreaWork Area

►What chemical are present in your work What chemical are present in your work area? What are there flash points?area? What are there flash points? In stationary equipment areasIn stationary equipment areas On mobile equipmentOn mobile equipment At shopsAt shops

►What heat source are present?What heat source are present? Thermal (heat)Thermal (heat) ElectricalElectrical RadiantRadiant

Do You Know Your Flashpoints? Do You Know Your Flashpoints?

►The following is a list of chemicals The following is a list of chemicals used on this site, some of these you used on this site, some of these you may even use at home. may even use at home.

►Do you know how they are stored?Do you know how they are stored?►At work? At work? ►At home?At home?►See if you know which chemical is See if you know which chemical is

which.which.

Try & Match Flashpoints With Try & Match Flashpoints With The ChemicalThe Chemical

► 247°f/119°c247°f/119°c► 145°f/78°c145°f/78°c► 160°f160°f► 320°f/160°c320°f/160°c► 356°f/180°c356°f/180°c► <-49°f/<-45°c<-49°f/<-45°c► 0°f/-18°c0°f/-18°c► -101°f/-75.9°c-101°f/-75.9°c► NoneNone► -156°f/-104°c-156°f/-104°c► -43.7°f/-42°c-43.7°f/-42°c► 79°f79°f► 73°f/23°c73°f/23°c► 175°f175°f

► AcetyleneAcetylene► GasolineGasoline► Diesel FuelDiesel Fuel► Hydraulic 40-wt oilHydraulic 40-wt oil► PropanePropane► ButaneButane► CitrolCitrol► CRC Contact CleanerCRC Contact Cleaner► Form OilForm Oil► Averoe Tree PaintAveroe Tree Paint► Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze)Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze)► Carburetor CleanerCarburetor Cleaner► Form OilForm Oil► CRC Power lubeCRC Power lube

Did You Choose RightDid You Choose Right

►247°f/119°c------Antifreeze/247°f/119°c------Antifreeze/Eythlene glycolEythlene glycol

►145°f/78°c--------145°f/78°c--------

AnswerAnswer

►160°f------Diesel Fuel-IP 500°f160°f------Diesel Fuel-IP 500°f

►320°f/160°c-----Form Oil320°f/160°c-----Form Oil

►356°f/180°c-----40-wt Hydraulic Oil356°f/180°c-----40-wt Hydraulic Oil

►<-49°f/<-45°c----Unleaded <-49°f/<-45°c----Unleaded GasolineGasoline

AnswerAnswer

►0°f/-18°c----Acetylene Gas-BP -0°f/-18°c----Acetylene Gas-BP -119°f119°f

►-101°f/-75.9°c-°Butane, AutoIP -101°f/-75.9°c-°Butane, AutoIP 778°f778°f

►None------None------

AnswerAnswer

►-156°f/-104°c--Propane-Auto IP -156°f/-104°c--Propane-Auto IP 842°f842°f

►-43.7°f/-42°c-----43.7°f/-42°c----

►79°f—Carburetor Cleaner-BP 110°F79°f—Carburetor Cleaner-BP 110°F

AnswerAnswer

►73°f/23°c-------------73°f/23°c-------------

►175°f----175°f----

In ConclusionIn Conclusion

Any situation that can lead to a fire Any situation that can lead to a fire underground is not good.underground is not good.

Let’s all do our part to make sure our Let’s all do our part to make sure our work areas are accident free & fire safe.work areas are accident free & fire safe.

Created By Pat GazewoodCreated By Pat Gazewood