Explosion Sensitivity and Flammability Range

Certain chemicals may also be prone to explosion. For this reason, OSHA requires the proper labeling of all chemicals, mixtures, and compounds. Refer to 29 CFR 1910.109 for more information on OSHA's required pictograms and which ones indicate explosive properties.

29 CFR 1910.109 details explosives and blasting agents. The standard additionally states that commercial explosives are those intended for commercial or industrial operations.

If the vapors of a flammable liquid mix with air while in the presence of an ignition source, an explosion can occur. There is a minimum quantity of vapors or air that are required for an explosion to take place. This amount is called the lower flammable limit (LFL). There is also a maximum proportion of vapor to air in which an explosion does not occur. This is called the upper flammable limit (UFL). These numbers are typically expressed as a percentage of volume of vapor in the air.

The range of numbers in between the LFL and UFL is known as the flammability range.

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