ISO/TC 28/WG 9 - Joint ISO/TC 28 - ISO/TC 35 WG: Flash point methods

This document specifies a procedure, at temperatures up to 100 °C, to determine whether a liquid product, that would be classified as “flammable” by virtue of its flash point, sustains combustion at the temperature(s) specified e.g. in regulations. NOTE Many national and international regulations classify liquids as presenting a flammable hazard based on their flash point, as determined by a recognized method. Some of these regulations allow a derogation if the substance cannot “sustain combustion” at some specified temperature(s). The procedure is applicable to paints (including water-borne paints), varnishes, paint binders, solvents, petroleum or related products and adhesives, that have a flash point. It is not applicable to painted surfaces in respect of assessing their potential fire hazards. This test method is applicable, in addition to test methods for flash point, for assessing the fire hazard of a product.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the manual and automated closed cup flash point of combustible liquids having flash points between –30,0 °C to 75,0 °C. However, the precision given for this method is only valid for flash points in the range −8,5 °C to 75,0 °C. This document is not applicable to water-borne paints. NOTE 1 Water borne paints can be tested using ISO 3679[1]. NOTE 2 See 9.1 for the importance of this test in avoiding loss of volatile materials. NOTE 3 Liquids containing halogenated compounds can give anomalous results. NOTE 4 The thermometer specified for the manual apparatus limits the upper test temperature to 70,0 °C. NOTE 5 See 13.1 for more specific information related to precision.

This document establishes an overview of test methods in the field to determine flash point and combustibility of petroleum and related products. It presents advice on application and specification development. This document is not intended to be a comprehensive manual on flash point and combustibility tests, and the interpretation of test results, however it covers the key aspects on these subjects.

ISO 2592:2017 specifies a procedure for the determination of flash and fire points of petroleum products using the Cleveland open cup apparatus. It is applicable to petroleum products having open cup flash points between 79 °C and 400 °C, except fuel oils which are most commonly tested by the closed cup procedure described in ISO 2719.

ISO 2719:2016 describes three procedures, A, B and C, using the Pensky-Martens closed cup tester, for determining the flash point of combustible liquids, liquids with suspended solids, liquids that tend to form a surface film under the test conditions, biodiesel and other liquids in the temperature range of 40 °C to 370 °C. CAUTION - For certain mixtures no flash point, as defined, is observed; instead a significant enlargement of the test flame (not halo effect) and a change in colour of the test flame from blue to yellowish-orange can occur. Continued heating can result in significant burning of vapours outside the test cup, and can be a potential fire hazard. NOTE 1 Although, technically, kerosene with a flash point above 40 °C can be tested using this International Standard, it is standard practice to test kerosene according to ISO 13736.[5] Similarly, lubricating oils are normally tested according to ISO 2592[2]. Procedure A is applicable to distillate fuels (diesel, biodiesel blends, heating oil and turbine fuels), new and in-use lubricating oils, paints and varnishes, and other homogeneous liquids not included in the scope of Procedures B or C. Procedure B is applicable to residual fuel oils, cutback residua, used lubricating oils, mixtures of liquids with solids, liquids that tend to form a surface film under test conditions or are of such kinematic viscosity that they are not uniformly heated under the stirring and heating conditions of Procedure A. Procedure C is applicable to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) as specified in specifications such as EN 14214[11] or ASTM D6751[13]. ISO 2719:2016 is not applicable to water-borne paints and varnishes. NOTE 2 Water-borne paints and varnishes can be tested using ISO 3679[3]. Liquids containing traces of highly volatile materials can be tested using ISO 1523[1] or ISO 3679.

This International Standard specifies a method to determine if paints, varnishes, paint binders, solvents, petroleum or related products, when maintained at a selected equilibrium temperature and under the conditions of the test, give off sufficient flammable vapour to cause ignition on application of an external source of flame applied in a standard manner. This International Standard is not applicable to water-borne paints which may, however, be tested using ISO 3680. The method is suitable for use over the temperature range -30 °C to 110 °C, depending on the use of different apparatus listed in Table 1. The interpretation of results obtained from solvent mixtures containing halogenated hydrocarbons, should be considered with caution, as these mixtures can give anomalous results.

This International Standard specifies a method to determine the flash point of paints, varnishes, paint binders, solvents, petroleum or related products. This International Standard is not applicable to water-borne paints which may, however, be tested using ISO 3679. The method is suitable for use over the temperature range - 30 °C to 110 °C, depending on the use of different apparatus listed in Table 1. The interpretation of results obtained from solvent mixtures containing halogenated hydrocarbons should be considered with caution, as these mixtures can give anomalous results.

ISO 3679:2015 specifies procedures for flash point tests, within the temperature range of -30 °C to 300 °C, for paints, including water-borne paints, varnishes, binders for paints and varnishes, adhesives, solvents, petroleum, and related products. The procedures are used to determine whether a product will or will not flash at a specified temperature (flash no-flash Procedure A) or the flash point of a sample (Procedure B). When used in conjunction with a flash detector, ISO 3679:2015 is also suitable to determine the flash point of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).

ISO 9038:2013 specifies a pass/fail procedure, at temperatures up to 100 °C, to determine whether or not a liquid product, that would be classified as "flammable" by virtue of its flash point, has the ability to sustain combustion at the temperature or temperatures specified in the appropriate regulations. The procedure is applicable to paints (including water-borne paints), varnishes, paint binders, solvents, petroleum or related products and adhesives, which have a flash point. It is not applicable to painted surfaces in respect of assessing their potential fire hazards.

ISO 13736:2013 specifies a method for the determination of the manual and automated closed-cup flash point of combustible liquids having flash points between −30,0 °C to 75,0 °C . However, the precision given for this method is only valid for flash points in the range −8,5 °C to 75,0 °C. ISO 13736:2013 is not applicable to water-borne paints.

ISO 13736:2008 specifies a method for the determination of the closed-cup flash point of combustible liquids having flash points between - 30,0 °C and 70,0 °C, inclusive. However, the precision given for this method is only valid for flash points in the range - 5,0 °C to 66,5 °C. ISO 13736:2008 is not applicable to water-borne paints, which can, however, be tested using ISO 3679.

ISO 3679:2004 specifies a method for the determination of the closed cup flash point of paints (including water-borne paints), varnishes, paint binders, adhesives, solvents, petroleum, and related products having closed cup flash points within the range of - 30 degrees Celsius to 300 degrees Celsius. When used in conjunction with the flash detector (A.1.6), ISO 3679:2004 is also suitable for the determination of the flash point of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).

ISO 3680:2004 specifies a method for the determination of the ability of paints (including water-borne paints), varnishes, paint binders, adhesives, solvents and petroleum and related products, when maintained at a selected test temperature within the range of - 30 degrees Celsius and 300 degrees Celsius, and under the conditions of test, to yield sufficient flammable vapour at this temperature to cause ignition on the application of a test flame in a standard manner. When used in conjunction with the flash detector (A.1.6), ISO 3680:2004 is also suitable to carry out a flash/no flash test on fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).

ISO 2719:2002 describes two procedures, A and B, using the Pensky-Martens closed cup tester, for determining the flash point of combustible liquids, liquids with suspended solids, liquids that tend to form a surface film under the test conditions and other liquids. It is applicable for liquids with a flash point above 40 degrees C. Procedure A is used for the determination of the flash point of paints and varnishes that do not form a surface film, unused lubricating oils and other petroleum products not covered by Procedure B. Procedure B is used for the determination of the flash point of residual fuel oils, cutback bitumens, used lubricating oils, liquids that tend to form a surface film, liquids with suspensions of solids and highly viscous materials such as polymeric solutions and adhesives. ISO 2719:2002 is not applicable to water-borne paints or liquids contaminated by traces of highly volatile materials.

Many national and international regulations classify liquids as presenting a flammable hazard on the basis of their flash point, as determined by a recognized method. Some of these regulations allow a derogation if the substance cannot "sustain combustion" at some specified temperature or temperatures. This International Standard specifies a pass/fail procedure to determine whether or not a liquid product, that would be classified as "flammable" by virtue of its flash point, has the ability to sustain combustion at the temperature or temperatures specified in the appropriate regulations. The procedure is applicable to paints (including water-borne paints), varnishes, paint binders, solvents, petroleum or related products and adhesives, which have a flash point. It is not applicable to painted surfaces in respect of assessing their potential fire hazards.

Specifies methods for combustible liquids, liquids with suspended solids, lubricating oils, liquids that tend to form a surface film under the test conditions, and other liquids.

Specifies a method for determining the flashpoint of a coating material. binder, solvent, petroleum or a related product; makes allowance for deviations from standard atmospheric pressure. The method is suitable for use over the temperature range 5 to 110o C. In some countries, existing regulations may require the use of other methods over at least a part of the temperature range. Nevertheless the interpretation of results obtained from solvent mixtures containing halogenated hydrocarbons should be considered with caution.

Specifies a method of test for products when their flashpoint is below 110 °C. The test portion is heated in the specified apparatus for liquids whose expected flashpoint is between ambient temperature and 110 °C, but is cooled to at least 3 °C below expected flshpoint for liquids whose expected flashpoint is below ambient temperature. The ignition triaal is carried out after the test portion has been maintained under equilibrium conditions for 60 s at a temperature approximately 3 °C below the expected flashpoint. The trial is repeated at other temperatures. The temperatur at which the flash occurs is recorded as the flashpoint.

The principle consists in heating the test portion in the specified apparatus. The ignition trial is carried out after the test portion has been maintained under equilibrium conditions for 60 s at the selected equilibrium temperature. This procedure ensures that air/vapour space above the test portion has attained the saturation concentration of flammable vapour before the ignition trial is performed. This method of test does not determine the flashpoint of the product under test, but merely its behaviour at the selected equilibrium temperature as may be required to comply with or regulations.

Specifies a method to determiine if a flammable material, when maintained at a selected equilibrium temperature and under the conditions of the test, gives off sufficient flammable vapour at this temperature to cause ignition on application of an external source of flame applied in a standard manner. The method is suitable for use over the temperature range 5 to 65 C.