NCJ Number
190921
Date Published
1994
Length
94 pages
Annotation
This document is a compilation of basic fire hazard information of 1,500 substances.
Abstract
The substances listed have several categories listed to describe their fire hazard properties. They are: flash point, ignition temperature, flammable limits, specific gravity, vapor density, boiling point, water solubility, extinguishing methods, and hazard identification. No single fire hazard property, such as flash point or ignition temperature, should be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of a material, product, assembly, or system under actual fire conditions. The flash point of a liquid is the minimum temperature at which the liquid gives off sufficient vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid. The ignition temperature of a substance, whether solid, liquid, or gas, is the minimum temperature required to cause self-sustained combustion independently of the heating or heated element. In gases, there is a minimum concentration of the material below which propagation of flame does not occur. Similarly there is a maximum concentration above which propagation of flame does not occur. These boundary mixtures are known as lower and upper flammable or explosive limits. Specific gravity is the ratio of weight of that substance to the weight of an equal volume to another substance, in this case water. The vapor density of a substance is the ratio of the weight of a volume of pure vapor or gas to an equal volume of dry air at the same temperature and pressure. Extinguishing methods are listed by number. (1) means water may be ineffective. (2) means water or foam may cause frothing. (3) means water may be used to blanket fire. (4) means water may be ineffective, except as a blanket. (5) means alcohol-resistant fire fighting foam is recommended. Health hazard ratings mean the following: (4) materials could cause death; (3) materials could cause serious temporary or residual injury; (2) materials could cause temporary incapacitation; (1) materials could cause irritation, but minor residual injury. (0) materials offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material. Flammability hazard rating: (4) the preferred fire attack is to stop the flow of material; (3) materials that can be ignited under almost all normal temperature conditions; (2) materials must be moderately heated before ignition will occur; (1) materials that must be preheated before ignition will occur; (0) material will not burn. Reactivity hazard rating is based on the potential of the material to release energy either by itself of when in contact with water. (4) materials are readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition; (3) materials are capable of detonation, but require a strong initiating source; (2) materials are normally unstable and readily undergo violent chemical change; (1) materials that are normally stable, but could become unstable; (0) materials normally stable even under fire exposure conditions.