what is a flash point and a fire point?

The flash point of a flammable liquid is the lowest temperature at which it can form an ignitable mixture in air. At this temperature the vapor may cease to burn when the source of ignition is removed. A slightly higher temperature, the fire point, is defined as the temperature at which the vapor continues to burn after being ignited. Neither of these parameters are related to the temperatures of the ignition source or of the burning liquid, which are much higher. The flash point is often used as one descriptive characteristic of liquid fuel, but it is also used to describe liquids that are not used intentionally as fuels.

The fire point of a fuel is the temperature at which it will continue to burn after ignition for at least 5 seconds. At the flash point, a lower temperature, a substance will ignite, but vapor might not be produced at a rate to sustain the fire. Fire point and autogenous ignition are additional considerations when selecting fire resistant greases. Industrially, fi

flash point: The temperature at which fuel oil gives off vapor that flashes when exposed to an open flame.

fire point: The temperature to which fuel oil must be heated to burn continuously when exposed to an open flame.

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