Flash Point is a term used by the US EPA when characterizing an Ignitable Hazardous Waste and the US DOT when classifying a Flammable or Combustible Liquid. Though similar, there are differences in how these two Federal agencies define and describe this term. If you work with solvent, inks, paints, resins, fuels, or many other organic hydrocarbons it is necessary for you to be familiar with how both the US DOT and the US EPA identify this term and its role in identifying a hazardous material or a hazardous waste. The purpose of this article is to describe the use of the Flash Point for determining an Ignitable Liquid Characteristic Hazardous Waste per the regulations of the US EPA. You may also be interested in the US DOT’s use of Flash Point for the Classification of a Class 3 Flammable or Combustible Liquid.
Unlike the DOT’s definition of Flash Point and its precise instructions about which method to use to determine it depending on the conditions of the sample (see link above), the US EPA offers no definition of what is meant by Flash Point and takes little time in 40 CFR 261.21 to list the test methods for determining Flash Point, they are…
- Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester using the test method specified in ASTM Standard D-93-79 or D-93-80 (incorporated by reference, see Section 260.11).
- Seta flash Closed Cup Tester, using the test method specified in ASTM Standard D-3278-78 (incorporated by reference, see Section 260.11).
- An equivalent test method approved by the US EPA under procedures set forth in Section 260.20 and 260.21.
These are just the regulations of the US EPA pertaining to the determination of one type of hazardous waste: Ignitable Liquids. There are many more, and you must be familiar with all of them if you generate hazardous waste. My one day of training addresses the regulations of both the US DOT and the US EPA, it will help you to properly classify your hazardous materials and identify your hazardous waste. Contact me to schedule the right kind of training for you.