The simple answer is no, none of the Vertrel^® products are flammable. All of these products are either inflammable compounds, inflammable azeotropes or inflammable near-azeotropes. But, as with many simple answers, there is more to the story.

Specifically, none of the Vertrel^® blends exhibit a tag closed cup flash point. The products are rated as nonflammable according to the Pensky-Marten Closed Cup Method ( ASTM D 93). For aerosol products, the flame extension method is outlined in the CSMA bulletin "Revised Flammability Test Methods For Aerosol Products" which is paralleled by ASTM D-3065-01. Because of these test results, none of the solvents are classified as flammable liquids by either the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or the Department of Transportation (DOT). So far, so good.

However, some of the blends include flammable constituents and therefore DO have "vapor flammability limits." This means that it is theoretically possible to find a combination of vapors and oxygen which could sustain combustion under very unusual circumstances. For example, in the event of a spill or leak situation, the mixture of air and solvent vapors above the spill may fall between the lower explosive limit (LEL) and the upper explosive limit (UEL) and, therefore, become flammable.

These vapor flammability limits are presented on each Product Spec sheet and each MSDS sheet. They are designed to provide the user with information that should be used as elements of a fire risk assessment. This assesment should determine guidelines for the safe handling of any volatile chemical. Example of typical precautions to consider may include (a) defining plans for evacuating an area, (b) installing systems to provide maximum ventilation (especially in low places where heavy vapors might collect), and/or (c) ensuring there are no ignition sources present.

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