Careful consideration should be given to the unique chemical properties of flammable and combustible classifications and their storage compliance with NFPA 30.
Flammable liquids are potentially volatile substances that have a flashpoint below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The lone exemption to this low temperature threshold is any chemical combination in which 99 percent of the elements has a flashpoint of 100 F or higher. By definition, the flashpoint is the minimal temperature at which a flammable liquid will emit a chemical aerosol sufficient to spark briefly when exposed to a flame.
Class I Liquids are flammable liquids in terms of their NFPA classification. This classification is separated into the following three categories based primarily on the flash point of the liquid. The flash point of a liquid is the minimum temperature at which sufficient vapors can form an ignitable mixture in the air from the stored liquids.
Any liquid with a flashpoint below 73 F, or 22.8 C, and a boiling point below 100 F meets the minimal criteria for this volatile classification. Oxide, methyl chloride and pentane are common examples.
Acetone, ethyl alcohol and gasoline, or any other liquid substance with a flashpoint below 73 F and a boiling point of at least 100 F meet the criteria for this classification.
Flammable liquids with the unique physical properties of having flashpoints above 73 F or 22.8 C and below 100 degrees Fahrenheit meet this classification. Turpentine and Xylene are common examples.
Combustibles, or liquids with a flashpoint of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 °C, are divided into two classes.
Chemicals such as kerosene, as well as many oils and solvents, that have flashpoints that reach a minimal 100 degrees Fahrenheit, 38 Celsius, and below 140 Fahrenheit, meet this basic criterion. The lone exemption to this principle, however, is any chemical combination of which 99 percent of the total volume of said combination possesses elements with flashpoints of 200 F (93.3 C) or higher.
This classification is reserved for liquids with flashpoints that reach a minimal of 140 F, or 60 degrees Celsius.
Class III Combustibles are differentiated by two categories:
Flammable liquids with flashpoints of 140 F (60 Celsius), but below 200 F, or 93.3 Celsius. The lone exemption to this principle, however, is any chemical combination of which 99 percent of the total volume of said combination possesses elements with flashpoints of 200 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Mineral spirits is a common example.
Any liquid with a flashpoint of at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples include any lubricating oil or brake fluid.
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