Flammable/Combustible Liquids 191
Safety Can Facts
1. Can hold up to 5 gallons of fluid 2. Safety venting eases pressure from fire exposure 3. Has double-mesh wire flame arrester screen
Storage Cabinet Facts
1. Must be labeled "Flammable---Keep Fire Away" 2. Must be secured by a three-point lock 3. Can hold 60 gallons of Category 1, 2, or 3 liquids
Storage Room Facts
1. Must include a ventilation system to replace air 2. May have a grated trench for draining 3. May include raised sills or ramps
Naphthalene
A carbon-based chemical derived from coal tar. Naphthalene is used to manufacture dyes and resins.
Oxygen
A colorless, odorless gas present in the air. Oxygen is necessary for breathing, but is also flammable.
Class III
A combustible liquid with a flash point at or over 140°F (60°C). Class III liquids are divided into subclasses IIIA and IIIB.
Class IIIB
A combustible liquid with a flash point at or over 200°F (93.3°C). Class IIIB is a subclass of Class III liquids.
Class II
A combustible liquid with a flash point between 100°F (37.8°C) and 140°F (60°C). Class II is the most dangerous of the combustible liquid classes.
Class IIIA
A combustible liquid with a flash point between 140°F (60°C) and 200°F (93.3°C). Class IIIA is a subclass of Class III liquids.
Oily Waste Cans
A container used for disposing rags soaked in flammable and combustible liquids. The oily waste can features a self-closing lid.
Safety Disposal Can
A container used for safely storing and disposing of up to five gallons (19 liters) of industrial waste. Safety disposal cans are often used for flammable and combustible liquids.
Waste Drum
A container used for storing and disposing of large amounts of flammable and combustible liquid waste. Waste drums can commonly hold up to 55 gallons (208 liters) of liquid.
Incipient Stage Fire
A fire in its beginning stage. Incipient stage fires can be controlled with portable fire extinguishers and small hose systems.
Isopropyl Alcohol
A flammable liquid commonly used as a cleaning solvent and medical disinfectant. Isopropyl alcohol is also referred to as rubbing alcohol.
Category 4 Liquids
A flammable liquid with a flash point at or above 140°F (60°C) and a boiling point at or below 200°F (93°C).
Category 3 Liquids
A flammable liquid with a flash point at or above 73.4°F (23°C) and a boiling point at or below 140°F (60°C).
Category 2 Liquids
A flammable liquid with a flash point under 73.4°F (23°C) and a boiling point above 95°F (35°C).
Category 1 Liquids
A flammable liquid with a flash point under 73.4°F (23°C) and a boiling point at or below 95°F (35°C).
Drums
A large metal storage container used for storing substances such as flammable and combustible liquids. OSHA-approved drums for flammable liquid storage must be equipped with safety features such as safety vents.
Spring-Closing Lid
A lid that uses spring action to close automatically after use. Spring-closing lids limit the amount of oxygen exposure and fire risk when storing flammable and combustible liquids.
Combustible Liquid
A liquid that will ignite if it reaches its flash point and is provided with an ignition source. Combustible liquids have a flash point above 100°F (37.8°C).
Flammable Liquid
A liquid that will ignite if it reaches its flash point and is provided with an ignition source. Flammable liquids have a flash point below 100°F (38°C) and can typically ignite at room temperature.
Three-Point Lock
A locking mechanism installed on storage cabinet doors that secures doors at the top, bottom, and sides. The three-point lock is required by OSHA to secure cabinets containing flammable and combustible liquids.
Flame Arrester Screen
A mechanical device designed to prevent the buildup of flammable vapors and quickly extinguish a fire in a flammable liquids container. Flame arrester screens are made of double mesh wire and extend inside the container from its nozzle.
Ground Wire
A metal wire that connects an object to a copper rod driven into the earth. Grounding using a ground wire helps prevent the buildup of static electricity.
Bond Wire
A metal wire that connects two objects to reduce the buildup of electrical charges between them. Bond wires are used when transferring flammable and combustible liquids from one container to another.
Closed Piping Systems
A piping system used to transport liquids that is sealed to prevent vapors. Limits amount of flowing air. Closed piping systems help prevent fires due to flammable or combustible liquids.
Safety Can
A portable container that holds one to five gallons of flammable or combustible liquid. Safety cans must include features such as a safety vent.
Flammable Storage Room
A room used for storing various materials used in production. OSHA requires storage rooms to have an approved ventilation system for storing large amounts of flammable and combustible liquids.
Self-Closing Safety Faucets
An OSHA-approved device used to transfer liquids from storage drums to portable containers. Self-closing safety faucets must be used with a bond wire connecting the storage drum and the nozzle of the portable container.
Safety Pumps
An OSHA-approved device used to transfer liquids from storage drums to portable containers. The safety pump attaches directly to the drum's opening, and is faster and safer than the self-closing faucet. Reduces spill risk. Has a drum bung opening.
Static Electricity
An electrical charge that builds up due to friction between two dissimilar materials. Static electricity is an ignition source for flammable liquids.
Storage Cabinet
An enclosed container with shelving used to store various industrial materials. OSHA-approved storage cabinets for flammable and combustible liquids must include certain specific safety features.
Flammable
An object or substance that can quickly catch fire. Flammable items ignite at low temperatures.
Safety Vents
An opening that helps prevent the contents of a container from reaching temperatures that would cause them to explode. Safety vents are found on most OSHA-approved containers for flammable and combustible liquids.
Ignition Source
Any process or event capable of causing a fire or explosion. Open flames, sparks, static electricity, and hot surfaces are all possible ignition sources.
Combustible
Any substance that is capable of igniting and burning. Combustible liquids require special storage and labeling.
What does grounding prevent? Grounding prevents:
Build-up of static electrical charges.
Which of the following statements about static electricity is true? Static electricity:
Can ignite flammable fluids.
Which categories of flammable liquids are considered the most dangerous, as they can ignite at the lowest flash point of under 73.4° F (23 C)?
Category 1 and 2 liquids
Which category of flammable liquids can be considered the least flammable, with a flash point between 140 and 200° F (60—93 C)?
Category 4 liquids.
What happens when some chemicals contact water or the incorrect fire extinguisher is used on a fire?
Chemical reaction
Which class of combustible liquids should be considered the most dangerous, and has the lowest flash point?
Class II
How can fires be prevented? Fires can be prevented by:
Distancing flammable liquid storage sites from heat and sparks.
According to OSHA, what is a fundamental step in storing flammable and combustible liquids safely?
Ensure that all containers and storage facilities are ventilated.
TRUE/FALSE: Combustible liquids have a flash point from 50°F (10°C) to 80°F (26.7°C).
False
TRUE/FALSE: Flammable liquids are organized into two categories and two sub-categories.
False
Which statement is true regarding OSHA-approved flammable storage rooms? Flammable storage rooms must:
Feature self-closing fire doors at openings.
The safety venting mechanism and flame arresters in storage and safety disposal cans prevent what?
Fire flashback
Which component of a safety can dissipates heat to prevent fire flashback?
Flame arrester screen
What storage method does OSHA require in any facility that stores more than 25 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids?
Flammable storage room
What determines whether a fluid is flammable or combustible, as well as its category or class?
Flash point
What items are required to appear on the label for a flammable or combustible liquid?
Flash point and GHS flammability rating
In addition to oxygen and heat, what must be present in order for a fire to start?
Fuel source
What organization standardizes the numerical flammability rating that must appear on all flammable and combustible liquid labels?
GHS
Which of the following provides internationally standardized flammability ratings?
GHS
Globally Harmonized System
GHS. A method of labeling chemicals that is standardized worldwide. GHS information must appear on all hazardous chemical labels.
Which characteristic describes a flammable liquid? A flammable liquid:
Has a flash point of less than 100° F (38° C).
What term is used to describe welding sparks, lightning, and static electricity in a flammable liquids safety plan?
Ignition sources
What statement accurately describes a flammable and combustible liquid safety plan? A flammable and combustible liquid safety plan:
Includes conducting employee training and hazard communication.
Which statement best describes requirements for information about flammable and combustible liquids? Hazardous liquid manufacturers must:
Label each container, and include an SDS for each type of liquid.
What features of a closed piping system reduce the fire risk involved with flammable and combustible liquids? A closed piping system:
Limits air flow and vapor generation during liquid transport.
Occupational Safety And Health Administration
OSHA. A government agency under the U.S. Dept. of Labor that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. OSHA ensures that employees work in safe and healthy environments.
What flammable waste disposal method features an elevated base, as well as a self-closing lid that opens only 60 degrees to limit oxygen exposure?
Oily waste can
In order for a fire to occur, which components must combine with heat?
Oxygen and fuel
Bonding
Physically connecting two electrically conductive objects to eliminate any difference in their static charge potential. Metal containers are often bonded using a metallic bond wire.
According to OSHA, what would be the safest way to store flammable liquids?
Place quantities larger than 25 gallons in an approved storage room.
Which of the following devices may be used for fighting incipient stage fires in the workplace?
Portable extinguishers
Why is grounding important? Grounding:
Prevents a build-up of static electricity.
What are companies expected to do to prevent hazards from flammable and combustible liquids? Companies must:
Provide training on the proper handling and storage of flammable/combustible liquids.
Which of the following is a document providing information on flammable and combustible fluids?
SDS
Safety Data Sheet
SDS. Mandatory information that must accompany almost every chemical in the workplace, including flammable and combustible liquids. An SDS includes details such as the risks, precautions, and first aid procedures associated with the chemical.
What must contain fluid names, risks, and how to handle its hazards?
Safety Data Sheet
What two devices are often used with a bonding wire to transfer flammable and combustible liquids from storage drums to portable containers?
Self-closing safety faucets and safety pumps
Bonding and grounding wires prevent what from building up?
Static electricity
What hazard can be caused by a flammable liquid at or above its flash point moving through a pipe or opening?
Static electricity
Which of the following flammable liquid storage options should include a three-point lock system?
Storage cabinet
What information source must include a flammable or combustible liquid's name, manufacturer, hazards and risks, ingredients, and methods of handling accidents?
The Safety Data Sheet
Electrical Conductivity
The ability of a material to act as a medium for conveying electricity. Metal has good electrical conductivity, while plastic and glass do not.
Who is responsible for providing training on the proper handling and storage of flammable/combustible liquids?
The employer.
Fire Flashback
The explosion of a container caused by a fire that occurs outside the container. Fire flashback occurs when flame enters the container through the flammable or combustible liquid's vapors.
Vapors
The gaseous form of a substance that is a liquid or solid at lower temperatures. The vapors of flammable and combustible liquids can ignite if fire or sparks are present.
What OSHA requirement includes strategies for controlling ignition sources and fires, storing and handling flammable and combustible liquids, and conducting employee training and hazard communication?
The hazardous liquid safety plan
Flash Point
The lowest temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture. Liquids with low flash points pose the greatest danger.
Hazard Communication
The means through which employers inform their employees about hazards in the workplace. Hazard communication includes training and SDS.
Drum Bung Opening
The opening located on the top of a storage drum. Flammable and combustible liquids are transferred from drums to smaller containers via the drum bung opening.
Boiling Point
The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor. The boiling point and flash point of a flammable liquid determine its category.
TRUE/FALSE: Flammable liquid categories consider the boiling point of a liquid.
True
TRUE/FALSE: Flash point is the minimum temperature at which a liquid has the potential to ignite.
True
Grounding
Using a wire to connect a conductive object to the ground. Grounding carries electrical charges away from objects to prevent the buildup of static electricity.
What devices can be used to dispose of flammable and combustible liquids?
Waste drums and safety disposal cans
Which statement about fire control is true?
Water used to fight fires can react violently with some chemicals.
