Gasoline flashpoint

Class IB liquids with flashpoints below 73°F and boiling points at or above 100°F. Examples of Class IB flammable liquids are benzene, gasoline, and acetone (NFPA Diamond 3). 

A critical safety issue of using diesel-ethanol blends relates to flashpoint and flammability. E-diesel blends containing 10-15% ethanol have the vapor pressure and flammability limits of ethanol. This means that ethanol concentrations in enclosed spaces such as fuel storage and vehicle fuel tanks are flammable over the temperature range 13-42 °C. Thus, there are higher risks of fire and explosion than with diesel fuel, or even gasoline. Other vehicle performance-related concerns are (a) a decreased maximum power (b) an increased incidence of fuel pump vapor lock and (c) a reduced fuel pump and fuel injector life due to the decreased lubricity of ethanol. 

The flashpoint is a measure of the ease of ignition of a liquid. It is the lowest temperature at which the material will ignite from an open flame. The flashpoint is a function of the vapor pressure and the flammability limits of the material. It is measured in standard apparatus, following standard procedures (ASTM D92 and ASTM D93). Both open- and closed-cup apparatus is used. Closed-cup flashpoints are lower than open cup, and the type of apparatus used should be stated clearly when reporting measurements. Flashpoints are given in Sax s Handbook of Hazardous Materials (Lewis, 2004). The flashpoints of many volatile materials are below normal ambient temperature, for example, ether —45°C, gasoline —43°C (open cup). 

E) For Category 2 flammable liquids or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), other than crude oils, gasolines, and asphalts, the fill pipe shall be so designed and installed as to minimize the possibility of generating static electricity. A fill pipe entering the top of a tank shall terminate within 6 inches (15.24 cm) of the bottom of the tank and shall be installed to avoid excessive vibration. 

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