Both flammable and combustible substances are substances that can easily catch fire.
These two substances differ from each other based on the specific temperatures they must be exposed to catch fire.
Many workplaces utilize flammable and combustible liquids, and to keep the workplace safe and manage the risks effectively, one must understand the difference between flammable and combustible.
Key Takeaways
- Flammable materials ignite easily and burn rapidly, while combustible materials require more heat to ignite and burn slower.
- Flammable liquids have a flash point below 100°F (37.8°C), while combustible liquids have a flash point at or above 100°F (37.8°C).
- Proper storage and handling of flammable and combustible materials are crucial to prevent fires and ensure safety in various settings.
Flammable vs Combustible
The difference between flammable and combustible is that they are more dangerous than combustible substances as they can catch fire and burn easily at normal room temperature. On the other hand, combustible substances need a higher temperature to catch fire. It can catch fire and burn at temperatures that are higher than room temperature.
Flammable substances are the ones that are flame or ignited immediately at a high temperature or when contacting with fire and continue to flame slightly or burn when leaving the fire, like fiberboard, foil, wood, and plywood.
Plants that use, store, or display flammable substances have a greater chance of experiencing hazards compared to other plants.
Combustible substances are substances that combust or burn in the air. In a workplace, combustible liquids and combustible dust are of particular concern.
Combustible substances are more likely to catch fire in dust form, as in dust form, combustible substances are highly oxygenated.
Some of the well-known combustible substances are acetone, butane, gasoline, propane, and natural gas.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Flammable | Combustible |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Flammable substances are substances that can catch fire or ignite immediately when contacting with high temperatures or fire and continue to flame slightly when leaving the fire, like wood fireboard. | Combustible substances are substances that catch fire or burn as a result of a chemical reaction or fire. |
| Flashpoint | Flammable substances have a flashpoint of less than a hundred-degree Fahrenheit. Flammable substances are more likely to ignite or catch fire as the flashpoint is lower than the combustibles. | Combustible substances have a flashpoint at or above a hundred-degree Fahrenheit. It is less likely to catch fire compared to flammable substances. |
| Classification | There are three classes of flammable liquids-I-A (ligroin, diethyl ether, pentane), I-B (benzene, ethanol, acetone, cyclohexane), and I-C (p-xylene). | There are three classes of combustible liquids- II (motor oil, diesel fuel, cleaning solvents, kerosene), III-A (oil-based paints, mineral oil, linseed oil), III-B (neatsfoot oil, oil-based paints). |
| Explosion hazard | Flammable substances can cause some serious fire hazards. Flammable liquids can burn easily and very fast. | Combustible substances can cause a serious fire hazard. |
| Examples | Acetone, alcohols, gasoline, diethyl ether, toluene. | Ethanol, propane, wood, kerosene, hydrogen gas, cooking gas, methane, wax. |
What is Flammable?
Flammable substances are materials that ignite and continue to burn in contact with fire or any source of igniting.
It can exist in a liquid, gaseous, or solid state. Most flammable liquids are volatile. Flammable liquids release vapours that mix with the nearby air to form a flammable mixture.
This flammable mixture ignites in contact with an ignition source.
Factors like flash point, flammability limits, and auto-ignition temperature determine a material’s flammability.
Flammable liquids are volatile. They evaporate and emit vapour at lower temperatures.
Flammable liquids emit vapours that are mixed with air in proper amounts in the presence of an ignition source which can cause an explosion.
The proper amount is referred to as the flammable range or explosive range.
The explosive or flammable range includes every concentration of flammable gas or vapour in the air in which a flame will travel or a flash of fire will occur if the mixture is capable of catching fire.
Flammable substances shall be stored far away from stairways, exits, and public areas. It shall be stored in closed containers or tanks.
Flammable liquids must be stored safely with proper fire control devices like portable fire extinguishers or small hoses.
What is Combustible?
Combustible substances are substances that can easily burn or combust in the air in contact with any source of ignition.
Examples of combustible substances are paper, wood, rubber, plastics, etc. Combustible substances react with oxygen to produce light and heat. Simply combustible substances burn in the air at a fixed temperature.
Combustible substances have a flashpoint at or above a hundred-degree Fahrenheit. It is less likely to catch fire compared to flammable substances.
Combustible substances need three main conditions to burn or combustion- a combustible substance, a supporter substance of combustion, and reaching the ignition temperature.
There are mainly three combustion types- spontaneous, rapid, and explosion.
In spontaneous combustion, combustible substances spontaneously burst into flames. In rapid combustion, combustible gases burn very quickly, creating light and heat.
In the explosion, the combustible substances quickly react as a reaction of light, sound, and heat, creating a huge amount of gas.
The volatility of the material is an important factor that determines the level of air’s combustibility. This is dependent on its vapour pressure, and this vapour pressure is related to temperature.
If the material’s surface area increases, the vapour quantity also increases, forming a mist. For instance, a small piece of paper easily catches fire, while an oak desk made of wood-like paper is harder to burn or ignite.
Main Differences Between Flammable and Combustible
- Flammable substances are substances that can catch fire or ignite immediately when contacting with high temperature or fire and continue to flame slightly when leaving the fire, like wood or fireboard. On the other hand, combustible substances are substances that catch fire or burn as a result of a chemical reaction or fire.
- Flammable substances have a flashpoint of less than a hundred-degree Fahrenheit. Flammable substances are more likely to ignite or catch fire as the flashpoint is lower than the combustibles. Combustible substances have a flashpoint at or above a hundred-degree Fahrenheit. It is less likely to catch fire compared to flammable substances.
- There are three classes of flammable liquids-I-A (ligroin, diethyl ether, pentane), I-B (benzene, ethanol, acetone, cyclohexane), and I-C (p-xylene). There are three classes of combustible liquids- II (motor oil, diesel fuel, cleaning solvents, kerosene), III-A (oil-based paints, mineral oil, linseed oil), III-B (neatsfoot oil, oil-based paints).
- Flammable substances can cause some serious fire hazards. Flammable liquids can burn easily and very fast. Combustible substances can cause a serious fire hazard.
- Some of the flammable substances are Acetone, alcohol, gasoline, diethyl ether, and toluene. Some of the combustible substances are Ethanol, propane, wood, kerosene, hydrogen gas, cooking gas, methane, and wax.
- https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=VCCHeNV8BtYC&oi=fnd&pg=PP10&dq=what+is+flammable+&ots=GraLR3jjuL&sig=fni_xHlqYM6534dcBmxeTpk7KEY&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=what%20is%20flammable&f=false
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jctb.5010020104
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Excellent article explaining the crucial differences between flammable and combustible substances and the importance of understanding them in the workplace to prevent fires and ensure safety.
Absolutely, knowing the characteristics and hazards of flammable and combustible substances is vital for workplace safety.
I couldn’t agree more. This is very important information that should be known in any workplace where these substances are used.
The distinctions between flammable and combustible substances are clearly outlined in the article. I found the examples of each type of substance very helpful in understanding their properties and potential risks.
The detailed explanations give a solid understanding of the potential risks associated with these substances, allowing for better risk management and safety protocols.
Agreed, the examples provided make it easier to grasp the differences between flammability and combustibility.
The article effectively communicates the hazards associated with flammable and combustible substances and emphasizes the importance of safe storage and handling practices to minimize workplace fire risks. Well-written and informative.
I appreciate how the article describes the characteristics and potential risk factors of flammable and combustible liquids. It helps to raise awareness about the safety precautions needed when working with these substances.
The article brings awareness to the importance of proper storage and handling of flammable and combustible substances to prevent fires in various settings. The breakdown of differences between these materials is highly informative and necessary for workplace safety.
Absolutely, understanding the nature of these substances and their associated dangers is crucial for ensuring a safe working environment.
The article provides a comprehensive breakdown of what flammable and combustible substances are, their characteristics, hazards, and how to handle them safely. It’s essential information for anyone working with these substances.
I appreciate the clear explanations of what makes a substance flammable or combustible. Understanding the flashpoint and volatility of these materials is critical for safe handling and storage.
The detailed comparison table provided in the article is an excellent way to understand the differences between flammable and combustible substances. It makes it easy to differentiate between the two types of materials.