Flammability

Flammability is the ability of a substance to burn or ignite, causing fire or combustion. The degree of difficulty required to cause the combustion of a substance is quantified through fire testing. Internationally, a variety of test protocols exist to quantify flammability.

Overview

The flammability of a substance is an important consideration in the design of various products and in the construction of buildings. It is also a key factor in the safety protocols for the handling and storage of hazardous substances.

Factors affecting flammability

The flammability of a substance is affected by several factors, including its flash point, autoignition temperature, and flammability limit. These factors determine the conditions under which a substance will ignite and continue to burn.

Flash point

The flash point of a substance is the lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air.

Autoignition temperature

The autoignition temperature of a substance is the minimum temperature required to initiate or cause self-sustained combustion in the absence of a spark or flame.

Flammability limit

The flammability limit of a substance, also known as its explosive limit, is the range of concentrations at which a substance can produce a flash of fire when an ignition source is present.

Flammability in building materials

In the construction industry, the flammability of building materials is a critical consideration. Materials with high flammability can pose a significant risk in the event of a fire, potentially leading to rapid fire spread and increased damage.

See also

• Fire safety
• Fire test
• Combustion

Flammability Resources
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