What is the Difference Between Flammable and Highly Flammable?

The terms "flammable" and "highly flammable" are often used to describe substances that can easily catch fire. However, there are some differences between the two:

• Flammable: Flammable substances can catch fire easily, but they may be able to endure heat more than highly flammable items. Flammable liquids are defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as those whose flash point does not exceed 100°F (37.8°C) when tested by closed-cup test methods. In the Australian Standard AS 1940:2017, flammable liquids are defined as liquids, mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension that have a flash point below 60 degrees.
• Highly Flammable: Highly flammable substances are more dangerous and can be much more easily ignited than flammable items. These substances can catch fire very easily and are highly sensitive to heat or ignition sources. Examples of highly flammable items include cotton, books, dry leaves, firecrackers, and liquid flammables.

Both flammable and highly flammable substances require proper handling and storage to minimize the risk of fire and explosion. It is essential to follow safety guidelines and use appropriate equipment when handling these materials to ensure their safe use and storage.

Comparative Table: Flammable vs Highly Flammable

The difference between flammable and highly flammable lies in their flash points, which are the minimum temperatures at which a material forms a vapor above its surface in sufficient concentration to ignite when exposed to an ignition source. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Flammable materials have a lower flash point, making them more volatile and easier to ignite compared to highly flammable materials. Both flammable and highly flammable liquids can catch fire, but the lower the flash point of a material, the higher the risk is. It is crucial to know the flash points of different materials to understand their properties and handle and store them safely.