Hazard Definition
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defined a flash fire as “A fire that spreads by means of a flame front rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors of an ignitable liquid, without the production of damaging pressure.” Among others, this type of hazard is present in oil and gas and chemical manufacturing settings, as well as manufacturing environments where combustible dust can accumulate.
Because the rapidly-moving flame front quickly consumes the diffuse fuel, flash fires are also very brief in duration – typically three seconds or less in any single location where a worker may be standing
Protection from Hazard
Because the flash fire is over quickly, we can protect workers from fatal and catastrophic burn injures with a single layer of secondary personal protective apparel – that is, by wearing flame resistant (FR) clothing. FR clothing will not ignite and continue to burn when the flash fire is over, insulating you from the hazard and dramatically reducing or eliminating burn injury.
This is why FR clothing and PPE are now industry requirements.
Hazard Protection Resources
