Many chemicals in laboratories, workplaces, factories, and even your home are flammable. That means they can easily be ignited because of their volatility and composition, and they require careful handling.
Some common flammable chemicals include alcohols, acetone, turpentine, kerosene, LPG, butane, propane, sulphur, and phosphorus. These are dangerous chemicals that can cause fires, damaging properties and causing injuries.
Flammable chemicals must be properly stored, handled, and disposed of. Continue reading to find out more about how to handle flammable chemicals.
In this post:
Understanding Flammable Chemicals
Flammable chemicals are hazardous because they can easily ignite if the temperature reaches their respective ignition point, also known as the flash point. A flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which a chemical’s vapour can be ignited in the air (see the table below).
Some flammable chemicals can ignite when they mix with other chemicals. Some may be set off by sparks or static electricity, and still others are potentially explosive when there’s a sudden change in pressure inside their containers.
Characteristics of Flammable Chemicals
The basic test for flammability is simple: it’s how easy a material or substance can be ignited, which is related to its flashpoint.
Typically, flammable liquids are highly volatile. In vapour form, their flashpoint is the lowest temperature of their ignition. By definition, a flammable liquid has a flashpoint of below 37.78°C.
If it’s at this temperature or higher, the liquid is simply classified as combustible. Flammability is also characterised by the intensity with which a material burns and releases heat when it is ignited.
Handling Flammable Chemicals
The protocols of properly handling flammable chemicals are usually indicated in the labels of chemical containers and in their safety data sheet (SDS).
Different types of flammable chemicals may require different ways of handling them. In the workplace, you should always have appropriate training and the information you need to safely handle ‘flam’ products. It’s critical that both employees and end-users or customers know how to safely store these types of chemicals.
Wearing Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The SDS of a flammable chemical may provide information about wearing the correct personal protective equipment, or PPE.
Companies that handle flammable chemicals should provide appropriate training and relevant information for each type of flam product. For example, employees may be required to wear fireproof coats when handling pyrophorics, which are flammable liquids in quantities of more than four litres.
This is especially true when you’re working with flammable chemicals and an ignition source, such as a Bunsen burner. As much as possible, never use flammable chemicals near potential ignition sources.
Flammable Chemical Storage
Flammable chemicals should be stored in cool rooms that do not have any source of ignition. The temperature of the room must be kept below the flashpoint of the chemicals being stored. The room must also be well ventilated to avoid vapours accumulating.
The containers holding the flam chemicals must also be properly sealed, and fire extinguishers must be readily available. Somewhat counter-intuitively, in some cases automatic water sprinklers are not advisable, especially if the flammable chemicals are non-polar as water may make the situation worse.
Always consult the MSDS and/or the company you’re purchasing flammable chemicals from to understand how to store them safely.
Emergency Procedures and Fire Safety
A building that houses flammable chemicals must have fire exits that are easily accessible. It must also have alarms and automatic fire suppression sprinklers, fire axes, fire hoses, and fire extinguishers.
Emergency procedures, such as proper evacuation, must be regularly tested. There should also be a floor map on every storey of the building.
Steps to Take in Case of a Spill or Fire
All workplaces that handle large amounts of flammable chemicals must have clear procedures for responding to chemical spills or fire.
Fire drills and chemical spills drills must be regularly conducted, especially for those directly handling the chemicals on a daily basis.
In case of spills, the first step is to identify the chemical. Secondly, the responders must have the proper PPE. Thirdly, the spill must be stopped and contained. Finally, there should be cleanup and decontamination.
In case of fire, the first step is to evacuate. Along with this, responders must try to extinguish or contain the fire if it’s safe to do so. The fire brigade must be alerted immediately.
Fire Extinguishing Techniques Specific to Chemical Fires
A fire that’s fuelled by flammable and combustible chemicals is classified as a Class B fire.
The usual technique used to extinguish this type of fire is to starve it of oxygen. Some flammable liquids or gases, oils, solvents, or alcohols can fuel class B fires.
You’ll need a foam type fire extinguisher to smother the fire and deplete its oxygen supply. You should never use water on this type of fire as it will only spread.
Regulatory Requirements for Flammable Chemicals
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the main regulatory body that enforces laws and regulations of flammable materials in the UK. These regulations cover the handling, storage, and use of flammable materials.
For example, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) limits the storage of dangerous substances, such as flammable liquids, indoors. The amounts may vary depending on the size of the storage room and the necessary quantities needed in the workplace.
Safety Audits
Your local fire service can also help with safety audits for residences, offices, hospitals, and factories. There are also legislations that require businesses that handle flammable chemicals to get fire safety clearances.
ReAgent’s Expertise In Manufacturing Flammable Chemicals
At ReAgent, we’ve been manufacturing chemicals for almost 50 years, and these include flammable chemicals like methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and toluene.
Our experience, safety standards, specialised manufacturing equipment, and quality certifications mean that we can handle and store flammable chemicals safely. Key to this is continued training for everyone who handles this type of chemical.
Conclusion
Flammable chemicals are defined by their flashpoint or ignition point. You must understand the specific properties of the chemical you need or have to properly handle it. There are specific regulations and standards that you must follow when storing, using, and manufacturing flam products. It’s also important to understand the safety precautions and procedures in emergency situations, especially during fire. These details can be found in the Material Safety Data Sheets for the specific flammable chemical.
