4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Approximately 70 mL of test specimen is filled into a test cup. The temperature of the test specimen is increased rapidly at first and then at a slowerc onstant rate as the flash point is approached. At specified intervals a test flame is passed across the cup. The flash point is the lowest liquid temperature at which application of the test flame causes the vapors of the test specimen of the sample to ignite. To determine the fire point, the test is continued until the application of the test flame causes the test specimen to ignite and sustain burning for a minimum of 5s.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The flash point is one measure of the tendency of the test specimen to form a flammable mixture with air under controlled laboratory conditions. It is only one of a number of properties that should be considered in assessing the overall flammability hazard of a material.
5.2 Flash point is used in shipping and safety regulations to define flammable and combustible materials. Consult the particular regulation involved for precise definitions of these classifications.
5.3 Flash point can indicate the possible presence of highly volatile and flammable materials in a relativel nonvolatile or nonflammable material. For example, an abnormally low flash point on a test specimen of engine oil can indicate gasoline contamination.
5.4 This test method shall be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and a test flame under controlled laboratory conditions and shall not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test method may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment that takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
5.5 The fire point is one measure of the tendency of the test specimen to support combustion.
