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Flammable vs. Combustible Materials: Understanding The Important Differences

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Key Takeaways: 
  • Flammable materials are substances with flashpoints under 100°F, and combustible materials are substances with flashpoints over 100°F. 
  • Each flammable or combustible substance comes with a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that is critical to read carefully. 
  • Make sure you’re adhering to UN regulations when storing and shipping hazardous materials.
When considering flammable vs. combustible materials, both are potentially hazardous substances that come with authorized safety sheets. While flammable liquids and solids can combust at normal temperatures, combustible substances require a higher heat level to ignite.  Whenever you’re storing or shipping these hazardous materials, make sure you’re taking suitable steps to minimize the risk of ignition. 

The Authorized Definitions of Flammable and Combustible Materials 

When comparing flammable vs. combustible materials, the current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30) states that flammable liquids are substances with flashpoints that are under 100°F. By contrast, this official code asserts that combustible liquids are solutions with flashpoints that are greater than 100°F.  The flashpoint of a material is the lowest temperature at which the substance emits a vapor that can react with the surrounding oxygen in the air to catch fire. This means that flammable liquids are more likely to ignite at lower temperatures than combustible liquids. Given that combustible materials won’t emit incendiary vapors at temperatures below 100°F, you shouldn’t have too many issues when storing or shipping these substances. The average temperature range of a normal warehouse is between 55°F and 76°F, while shipping containers rarely have an internal temperature that’s higher than 100°F.  However, when it comes to storing and transporting flammable materials, you should read the Material Safety Data Sheet that comes with the hazardous substance to minimize the risk of ignition.   Shipping Flammable or Combustible Materials? Use Hazmat Stickers to Reduce the Risk of Fire 

The Importance of Material Safety Data Sheets 

When you buy or ship a potentially hazardous material, you’ll need to obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the chemical supplier. This document is an essential record that includes crucial information about the product’s chemical and physical properties, such as: 
  • The flashpoint of the liquid or material. 
  • Whether the substance is combustible or flammable. 
  • The hazardous components of the substance, including a measure of the material’s toxic potential. 
  • Specific data on physical properties, including the current state of the material, its boiling point and its pH.
  • Specific data on the reactivity of the product, including useful information on specific storage requirements and relevant incompatible chemicals. 
  • Emergency first aid measures you’ll need to follow if you come into direct contact with the product. 
Once you’ve read the MSDS for a particular material or product, you can use the information provided to put suitable safety measures in place when you’re storing and shipping the substance.

How Should You Store Flammable and Combustible Materials Properly? 

Black-yellow Chemical storage area Hazard Sign and symbol on the glass door, Caution for warning dangerous space in laboratory room. selective focus on tag, blurred background Safety first concept.

Source: Arpon Pongkasetkam/ Shutterstock.com

There are several factors to consider when you’re storing flammable and combustible materials. If you want to limit the risk of ignition, follow these simple rules:

  • Ensure proper ventilation. 

Make sure you’re storing hazardous and incendiary materials in an environment with well-maintained ventilation. Use cabinets with built-in vents so that if the substance does emit flammable vapors, these will flow out of the building before catching fire. 

  • Avoid storing incompatible materials together.

Read through the MSDS carefully to see if your product has any incompatible substances, and make sure you’re storing any incompatible chemicals far away from each other. When two incompatible materials react with each other, they can create an aggressive and dangerous exothermic reaction. 

  • Be mindful of the material’s flashpoint.

Check the substance’s exact flashpoint, and use this information to modify the internal temperature of your storage unit or warehouse. Ensure that your cabinets are as cool and dry as possible. 

  • Use sealed, secure storage containers.

Whenever you’re storing flammable or combustible substances, use approved storage containers that are made with non-conductive materials like plastic or glass. 

How Should You Ship Flammable and Combustible Materials Properly?

White semi truck fuel tanker with 33/1203 dangerous class sign and copy space place blank on barrel drive on asphalt highway on a spring day on blue sky background, side rear view ADR hazardous cargo

Source: ilmarinfoto/ Shutterstock.com 

When you ship flammable and combustible materials, you’ll also need to follow a simple set of rules to ensure you’re minimizing the risk of combustion or explosions during transit. 

  • Use approved and secure containers.

If you’re shipping materials under Groups I, II or III of the hazmat classifications chart, you should use an approved hazmat box. This UN-certified packaging is strong enough to resist changes in atmospheric pressure and absorb shocks during shipment that could initiate combustion. 

  • Keep the substances away from ignition sources.

During the transit process, make sure you’re storing hazardous material away from incendiary materials or gases like heating units, the ship’s engine, carpets that can cause static electricity and any furnaces. Don’t smoke near the storing containers. 

  • Label the containers correctly.

Whenever you ship hazardous and potentially dangerous substances, you’ll need to attach the relevant Hazmat stickers to the container. These labels let employees in the supply chain know what’s in the box so they can handle the shipment suitably and carefully. If you don’t put a sticker or placard on your hazmat container, you’ll break the law and face a serious fine.  Use a UN-Certified Hazmat Box to Transport Combustible Materials Safely

Know the Differences to Ensure Safe Storage and Shipment 

The key point of difference between flammable and combustible materials is that the former can ignite at lower temperatures than the latter. In both cases, you should consult the relevant MSDS document to ensure you’re taking all suitable safety measures to prevent combustion and fires when you’re storing or shipping this hazardous material.

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