Flammable liquids

Water solubility

Ability to mix with water Often affects fire extinguishment "Alcohol" foam Hydrocarbons don't mix Polar solvents do mix

Hydrocarbons

Compounds composed of only carbon and hydrogen Ex: gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, solvents and heavy lubricating oils.

Pyrophoric liquid

A liquid that will ignite spontaneously in air at or below 130 *F.

Flammable liquid

A liquid with a flashpoint below 100*F and vapor pressure below 40 psi at 100* F Vapors can readily ignite. Example: gasoline

Polar solvents

Liquid fuels which are water soluble or water miscible Ex: alcohols, ketones acetone, amines, and anhydrides

Combustible liquids

Liquids with a flashpoint equal to or above 100* F Ex: fuel oil

Flashpoint

Minimum temp to which a liquid must be heated to produce enough vapor to allow a vapor flash to occur when an ignition source is present.

Ignition Temperature

Minimum temp to which a material must be heated to cause the material to ignite. ( no spark or open flame needed)

Fire point

Temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors to sustain combustion.

Boiling point

Temperature at which vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure Liquid rapidly becomes a vapor

Flammable range (explosive range)

The concentration of fuel vapor and air needed to form an ignitable mixture. Expressed in % vapor/ air. Ex: gasoline UEL: too rich (7.6%) LEL: Too lean (1.4%) So anything between 1.4-7.6 is flammable

Vapor pressure

The pressure resulting from the evaporation (vaporization) of a liquid. - vapor pressure increases with temperature - vapor can push through a foam blanket Ex: gasoline= 2-3 psi

Vapor density

VD of air=1 VD below air rises VD above air sinks

Specific gravity

Weight of a liquid compared to water SG of water: 1 SG less than 1 floats SG more than 1 sinks