OSHA fire definitions

Fire hazard is viewed from the standpoint of safety, to which in the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Standard (OSH) is often used as the basis for classification of flammables versus a combustible material. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation also has very specific definitions regarding classification of fire hazards based on safe transport of materials. For initial discussions we will adhere to the OSHA definitions, and later refer to distinctions in U.S. federal definitions which are legal standards. 

The fire protection and environmental fields also use identical and similar terminology, which may be slightly different in selected applications. This book focuses on terminology that is applied and used in loss prevention and control. Therefore, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and interpretations are utilized as guidelines for the definitions and explanations. 

Guidance to do with the handling and storage for flammable and combustible liquids is provided by OSHA s 29 CFR 1910.106 and by NFPA 30, the Hammable and Combustible Liquids code. The OSHA standard applies to flammable and combustible liquids with a flash point below 200°F (93.3°C). These reference documents provide definitions for terms such as closed container, fire area, and aerosol. 

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