Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Flammable liquids

• Class I - liquids have flashpoints below 100 degrees F, with vapor pressures not exceeding 40 psia

• Class IA - liquids having flashpoints below 73 degrees F and boiling points below 100 degrees F

1a

Flammable liquids

• Class IB - liquids having flashpoints below 73 degrees F and boiling points at or above 100 degrees F

• Class IC - liquids having flashpoints at or above 73 degrees F and below 100 degrees F

1b

Flammable liquids

• Flammable liquids give off ignitable vapors

1c

Combustible liquids

• Class II liquids have flashpoints at or above 100 degrees F and below 140 degrees F

1d

Combustible liquids

• Class III liquids have flashpoints at or above 140 degrees F• Class IIIA liquids have flashpoints at or

above 140 degrees F and below 200 degrees F

• Class IIIB liquids have flashpoints at or above 200 degrees F

1e

Handling and storage procedures• Two forms of storage:

• Reserve storage in drums• Operational storage in

small quantities at work stations

• Connect drums to a grounding system

2a

Handling and storage procedures• Liquids can be dispensed by two

methods:• Gravity flow• Pump methods

2b

Handling and storage procedures• Areas where flammable

liquids are transferred from one container to another must:• be protected from ignition

sources• have drainage or other methods

to control spills• have natural or mechanical

ventilation

2c

Handling and storage procedures

• Store flammable liquids in approved safety cans

2d

Handling and storage procedures• Flammable liquids used at workstations

must not exceed the sum of:• 25 gallons of Class IA liquids in containers• 120 gallons of Classes IB, IC, II, or III liquids in

containers• 660 gallons of Class IB, IC, Class II, or Class IIIA

liquids in a single portable tank

2e

Handling and storage procedures• Use specially designed waste

cans for the disposal of waste

• Remember that it is the vapors, not the liquid that burns

• Use specially developed absorbent materials for spill cleanup

2f

Flood emergencies• If flammable liquids are stored in

tanks, review and understand the location and contents of flood emergency instructions

• Emergency action plans

3a

Flood emergencies and storage tanks

• Categories of storage tanks• Above ground• Underground• Tanks inside of buildings

3b

Flood emergencies and storage tanks• Types of storage tanks

• Atmospheric• Low-pressure• Pressure vessels

3c

Flood emergencies and storage tanks• Keep debris and vegetation away from

the tank area• Situate tanks in areas where high-level

water will not occur

• Anchor horizontal tanks if more than 70 percent of the tank’s capacity will be submerged

3d