Gasoline Safety
Danger Factor #1: Flash Point
nDefinition:
The temperature at which a product releases vapors that can explode and burn. The lower the flash point, the greater the danger.
n
n    Flammable:   Vapors are released that can explode
n        and burn at temperatures below 100°F  (38°C)
n
n    Combustible:  No ignitable vapors are released at temperatures below 100°F (38°C)
n
Danger Factor #1: Flash Point
Flash point is the temperature at which a product releases vapors that can explode and burn. The lower the flash point, the greater the danger. The higher the flash point, the less likely a product’s vapors will ignite.
The flash point of a liquid and gas product is also what we use to classify it as flammable or merely combustible.
       This depends whether their flash point is below or above 100°F (38°C). A stray spark or a flame source as small as a match can ignite the vapors of flammable products at almost any air temperature.
Combustible products on the other hand do not release ignitable vapors in the air at temperatures below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They would usually ignite and burn only when a fire has already started.
Gasoline has a very low, and therefore very dangerous, flash point of 45 degrees below zero. That’s because it’s refined so its vapors can ignite to start vehicle engines at the lowest temperatures where vehicles are used.
(Bridge)  The next slide displays the flash points of several flammable and combustible substances.