Flammable solids incidents

Flammable Solids and Other Class Four Reactive Materials Hazards of flammable solids and mitigation procedures for incidents. Chemical Manufacturers Association, 1991. 

For the purpose of the DOT regulation, Flammable solid is any solid material, other than one classed as an explosive, which under conditions normally incident to transportation is liable to cause fires through friction, retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can be ignited readily and persistently as to create a serious transportation hazard. Included in this class are spontaneously combustible and water-reactive materials. (49CFR 173.150)... 

Chapter 6 Flammable Solids Class 4.1 Flammable Solids Flash-Point Solids/Snblimation Combnstible Dnsts Class 4.2 Spontaneons Combnstibles Spontaneons Ignition Pyrophoric Solids and Liqnids Incidents... 

A similar incident occurred on a solids drier. Before maintenance started, the end cover was removed, and the inlet line was disconnected. When maintenance was complete, the end cover was replaced, and at the same time the inlet pipe was reconnected. The final job was to cut off the guide pins on the cover with a cutting disc. The atmosphere outside (but not inside) the drier was tested, and no flammable gas was detected. While cutting was in progress, an explosion occurred in the drier. Some solvent had leaked into the inlet pipe and then drained into the drier [19]. 

Another term associated with vapor is volatility. It is the tendency of a solid or a liquid to pass into the vapor state easily. This usually occurs with liquids that have low boiling points. A volatile liquid or solid will produce significant amounts of vapor at normal temperatures, creating an additional flammability hazard. The vapor produced by a volatile liquid is affected by wind, vapor pressure, temperature, and surface area. Temperature always causes an increase in vapor pressure and vapor content in an incident. The more vapor pressure in a container, the greater the chance of container failure. The more vapor content, the farther the vapor may travel away from a spill. 

External fire. May be prompted by flammable gas or vapor liquid, solid, metal, wood, or waste material pyrophoric material and presence of ignition source such as sparks, static, friction, hot spots, welding, lightning, auto ignition, or furnace. Immediate consequence engulfment, thermal radiation, fire damage, smoke, domino effect (where one incident is the primary cause for several other incidents). 

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