What are flammable and combustible materials?
Flammable materials can be found as solids, liquids, or gases. Flammable solids can be classified in three categories: desensitized explosives, self-reactive materials, and readily combustible solids. These are generally non-explosive but may ignite when exposed to friction, moisture, heat retained from processing, or a spontaneous chemical change. More detailed information can be found from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in 49 CFR 173.124. Examples include dust and powders. Flammable gases are compressed gases which ignite at 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi), or can ignite at 14.7 psi when mixed with 13% or less by volume with air. Examples include butane, acetylene, methane and hydrogen. Flammable liquids are identified as liquids that have a flashpoint (minimum temperature needed for the liquid to produce a vapor with enough of a concentration to ignite) below 100 degrees Fahrenheit (F). There is an exception to this definition. If any of the components of the mixture ha
