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Flammable and Combustible Materials
By:
Kristi VanSoest, Safety Specialist
We use combustible and flammable materials
every day. Many of these products are found in home
s
and garages. Because they’re so common, we may tend to forget their dangers and
we’re sometimes careless with their use, handling and storage. Many serious
injuries are caused by this lack of caution. When we understand the hazards of
these materials we can use them safely.
Some liquids, such as gasoline and solvents,
form vapors that can easily catch fire. We call and label these liquids
flammable because the vapors burn, not the liquids. At a certain temperature, a
liquid gives off enough vapors to form an ignitable mixture with air. This
temperature is called the flash point.
Flammable liquids are divided into two
classes:
·
Flammable liquids (for example, gasoline)
have a flash point below 100 F or 38 C.
·
Combustible liquids (for example, diesel
fuel) have a flash point at or above 100 F or 38 C.
Gasoline ignites easier
than diesel fuel because its flash point is lower.
Ignition sources can ignite vapors that have
traveled quite a distance from the actual liquid. Ignition sources are anything
which can cause something to burn or explode. These include:
·
cigarette lighters or matches
·
pilot light on a gas appliance
·
electrical heaters
·
electrical switches
·
static electricity
Keep these safety tips in
mind when using flammable liquids:
·
Read and follow the manufacture’s
instructions before use.
·
If the label instructs you to use the
substance where there is "adequate ventilation", this means
outside. If you use the materials in your home and the smell of the fumes is
strong, ventilation is inadequate.
·
Keep the materials in their original
containers. This way you will always have the safety precautions and directions
on hand. Don’t let the containers spill onto the label and cover the directions
and safety precautions. If this happens, wipe the container immediately.
·
Never store materials in soda bottles. Your
children or other family members might think the contents are safe to drink.
·
Don’t use or store any flammable or
combustible material near a water heater, furnace or any other piece of
equipment that may have a pilot light, or a source of ignition. The explosive
fumes can travel quite a distance.
Materials which
are flammable or combustible are also poisonous. It can be harmful, or even
fatal, to inhale their fumes, or to eat or ingest these materials.