You’re most likely aware that flammable liquids are dangerous substances, but did you know that it’s not actually the liquid that burns? When flammable vapours are emitted from the liquid chemical, they mix with the air and ignite in the presence of an ignition source. To successfully manage the many risks involved with Class 3 Flammable Liquids, you must also understand if the chemical is explosive, volatile, corrosive, toxic or carcinogenic. To help you through this minefield, this blog explains the ways that you can reduce the risk of fires, flashbacks and other hazards associated with flammable liquids. We’ll also explain the inherent hazards of flammable liquids — and how your storage and handling practices can help keep your business and community safe.
In order to fully understand a fire hazard and the potential for danger, you must know (and understand) a chemical’s flammable range, auto-ignition temperatures, volatility and flash point. You’ll find all this information on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
As we mentioned, it’s not the flammable liquid that burns — it’s the flammable vapours that are emitted from the chemical.
The lowest temperature at which the chemical can evaporate and produce enough vapours to ignite and continue burning is called the liquid’s flash point.
The flash point of your flammable liquids indicates the lowest temperature that the chemical can ignite and burn.
Flammable liquids are classified according to their flash point. In Australia, any flammable liquids that have a flash point of less than 60°C are classified as Dangerous Goods.
IMPORTANT: All Dangerous Goods (including Class 3 Flammable Liquids) have mandatory labelling, transport and storage requirements specified by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code).
Chemicals with a flash point that sits within normal working temperatures (ie a low flash point) present a high fire risk to your business.
These chemicals must be isolated from any type of ignition source, whether it’s thermal, mechanical, electrical or chemical. Ignition sources are everywhere in the average workplace, with sources including naked flames, heat, sparks and static discharge.
FLASHBACK: When a container of flammable liquids is opened, vapours escape into the air. These flammable vapours are denser than air. They can travel for hundreds of metres and still be capable of igniting and burning. When a vapour trail ignites and burns, this is called a ‘flashback’.
Flammable liquids should be stored in dedicated safety cabinets which are manufactured in accordance with Australia Standards. By storing flammable liquids in a flammable cabinet, you’ll prevent the temperature and concentration of the chemical from reaching its auto-ignition and explosive range.
IMPORTANT: Always check the SDS to ascertain flash point, auto-ignition temperatures and explosive range — as these vary for each and every flammable substance.
Many flammable liquids are also harmful to human health. Exposure to the hazardous vapours can result in immediate and long-term impacts.
For example, the common flammable liquids listed below can produce serious health hazards. Many of these are listed in the Workplace Exposure Standards, so you must adhere to the vapour concentration levels listed in the standards in order to maintain safety and compliance in your own organisation.
Health hazards may include:
REMEMBER: It’s essential to carry out a proper risk assessment and consider the way the chemicals are being handled and stored. Your assessment should also factor in exposure times, concentration levels and ventilation.
We all want to live in a clean and safe world, and you should also consider the way flammable liquids will impact the environment. Failing to do so may also place you in violation of EPA requirements.
Flammable liquids can harm the environment in the following ways:
IMPORTANT: If handling or storing flammable liquids in your workplace, you must always check Section 11. Toxicological information and Section 12. Ecological Information on the SDS. This will explain the possible environmental hazards of the chemicals that you use.
Proper storage is key to minimising the adverse impacts of flammable liquids.
Safety cabinets, dedicated chemical stores, spill bunds and closed decanting stations are effective ways to:
By choosing the right storage and spill containment solutions, you can reduce the likehood and impact of fires, explosions and other hazards associated with flammable liquids.
Now that you have a better understanding of the ways that flammable liquids can cause harm at your workplace, we suggest accessing our eBook, Essential Considerations When Storing Flammable Liquids Indoors. In this easy-to-understand guide, we detail how you can determine the level of risk in your own workplace. We also explain how you can choose, install and maintain a suitable flammable liquids cabinet to reduce the risk of fires, explosions and other hazards. Take the next step in chemical safety and download our eBook today.