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Fire and Explosion Data

This section of the MSDS describes the basic fire-fighting measures. This should include the fire and explosive properties of the material and the proper extinguishing materials. The precautions and safety procedures to effectively put out the fire are described here. This is important because knowing the flammable properties along with the chemical and physical properties provide a good indication of how dangerous the material is in a fire situation.

Important flammable properties listed here should include

  1. Flash point -- the lowest temperature at which a flammable liquid gives off enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air. In other words, the lowest temperature at which a liquid can ignite if a spark is present. Liquids with very low flash points are dangerous fire hazards (e.g., ethyl ether -49 C).
  2. Autoignition temperature -- the temperature at which the liquid will set itself on fire without a flame or spark.
  3. Lower Explosive Limit -- the minimum concentration of a flammable gas or vapor (% by vol. in air) in which an explosion can occur if a flame or spark is present.
  4. Upper Explosive Limit -- the maximum concentration of a flammable gas or vapor (% by vol. in air) in which an explosion can occur if a flame or spark is present.
  5. Hazardous Products of Combustion -- In most fires, the greatest danger to human life is not the heat of the flames, but the toxic smoke that can fill the area. All the anticapited products of combustion are listed here. Fires of the laboratory are far more dangerous than common fires because the toxic fumes are often far more dangerous.

All MSDS describes the fire extinguishing media in this section. Selecting the appropriate fire extinguisher is critical in an emergency situation. In Denison's laboratories, usually carbon dioxide and dry chemical extinguishers are available. These extinguisher are appropriate with most laboratory fires except for combustible metals, (e.g., sodium and potassium) and metal halides, (e.g., lithium aluminum hydride, sodium hydride).

Reactivity hazards that enhance the fire and the explosion potential are also found here.

Fire and Explovive sections of Methylene chloride MSDS and Bromine MSDS show that these hazardous material are not highly flammable. But important information concerning appropriate precautions necessary if these chemicals are in a fire are described. Methylene chloride produces hydrogen chloride, and phosgene which are both lethal gases. Bromine is an oxidizer which can decompose when heated and will increase the burning rate of combustible materials.