Hazard vs. Flash Points
The flash point of a chemical indicates how easy it may ignite and burn.
The flash point of a chemical is the lowest temperature where it will evaporate enough fluid to form a combustible concentration of gas. The flash point is an indication of how easy a chemical may burn.
Materials with higher flash points are less flammable or hazardous than chemicals with lower flash points.
| Hazard | Flash Point |
|---|---|
| Very Low Hazard | > 200 oF (93 oC) |
| Moderate Low Hazard | 150 oF to 200 oF (66 oC to 93 oC) |
| High to Moderate Hazard | 100 oF to 150 oF (38 oC to 66 oC) |
| Extreme to High Hazard | 0 oF to 100 oF (-18 oC to 38 oC) |
| Extreme Hazard | < 0 oF (-18 oC) |
An open flame is not always necessary to ignite a gas. A hot surface - like a heating element or warm machine - will do for chemicals with more than high hazard.
See Autoignition temperature and flash point of different hydrocarbons and Flash Point - Fuels for measured values of flash point.
The Flash Point is not the same as the Auto-Ignition Temperature. The Auto-Ignition Temperature is the minimum temperature required to ignite a gas or vapor in air without a spark or flame present.
