GHS and safety
Flash point
Definition
The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to ignite briefly in air when a flame is applied.
Flash point is measured in standard closed cup or open cup apparatus. Closed cup values are usually lower and are the ones used for classification.
Under the GHS, flammable liquids are classified by flash point and initial boiling point. Category 1 has a flash point below 23 °C and an initial boiling point at or below 35 °C. Category 2 has a flash point below 23 °C and a boiling point above 35 °C. Category 3 covers flash points from 23 °C to 60 °C. In transport, liquids with a flash point up to 60 °C are generally class 3 dangerous goods.
Related terms
- GHS02 flamePictogram for flammable gases, aerosols, liquids and solids, and for self heating or pyrophoric materials.
- Dangerous goods classOne of nine UN transport hazard classes, from class 1 explosives to class 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods.
- Packing groupThe degree of danger of a dangerous good in transport: I high, II medium, III low.