There’s more to flammable and combustible liquids than meets the eye. The definitions are changing and so too are the safety requirements around them. In this updated guide we’ll detail the differences between the two liquids, and how to best handle them.

Which liquids are flammable and combustible?

Since 2011, you no longer need a licence to store flammable and combustible liquids. The safe storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids at locations such as fuel depots or at temporary on-site fuel storage facilities is now covered by the safety obligations for hazardous chemicals under the Work Health and Safety Act, administered and enforced by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). 

Classification of flammable and combustible liquids is available from three key sources:

1. The United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) which has been adopted by the Work, Health and Safety legislation.
2. The Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code), which is the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail is published by the National Transport Commission
3. Australian Standard AS1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (AS1940) is available from Standards Australia.

The GHS classification system simply defines a flammable liquid as a liquid with a flash point of not more than 93 degrees Celsius. A flammable liquid is classified in one of four categories.

GHS category	Criteria
1	Flash point <23 degrees Celsius and initial boiling point ≤35 degrees Celsius
2	Flash point<23 degrees Celsius and initial boiling point >35 degrees Celsius
3	Flash point ≥23 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius
4	Flash point >60 degrees Celsius and ≤93 degrees Celsius

A recent change is that GHS has introduced category 4.

Diesel – categorised as flammable, combustible and hazardous

An example of a flammable liquid category 4 is diesel fuel. The use, storage and handling of diesel is subject to the requirements of the WHS Regulation as a hazardous chemical. While combustible liquids having a flash point >93 degrees Celsius, they are not classified as hazardous chemicals. Other fuels such as petrol and kerosene are addressed by the Work Health and Safety Act general provisions in terms of hazard identification and safe fuel safety management.

Australian Dangerous Goods Code classification for transportation

The Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG) makes the distinction between a flammable liquid and a combustible liquid for situations where goods such as bulk fuel need to be transported. The division between flammable and combustible occurs at a flashpoint of 60 degrees Celsius. That temperature represents the upper limit of the ambient temperature in any location around the world, with the exception of perhaps the very hottest climates. Liquids with a flash point below 60 degrees Celcius are flammable.

Under the ADG code, other than fuel, flammable liquids include:

• liquids offered for transport at temperatures at or above their flash point
• substances that are transported at elevated temperatures in a liquid state and that give off a flammable vapour at a temperature at or below the maximum transport temperature.

Incorporating fuel safety into day-to-day operations

The language around fuel safety and other flammable, combustible and hazardous goods and materials can sound un-necessarily complicated. But when complete compliance with safety standards such as Australian Standard AS1940 becomes part of daily operations and management systems, managing fuel – including hazardous diesel – safety is guaranteed.

Complying with AS1940 is not a legal requirement but its technical guidance regarding the work health and safety requirements for the safe storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids at fuel depots or on-site is regarded as industry best-practice.

The most common flammable and combustible liquids that are part of daily life in Australia are diesel fuel, petrol and kerosene.

AS1940 – the gold standard for safety compliance

Companies that choose to follow the guidance and recommendations of AS1940 are companies that are serious about safety. AS1940 sets out requirements for the design, construction and operation of installations for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids. When followed, the standard describes general safe working practices to ensure fuel safety and worker safety. AS1940 also identifies issues to be considered in any risk management of facilities handling flammable and combustible liquids.

Minimum safe working procedures to be followed include:

• Flammable and combustible liquids must be stored away from ignition sources (e.g. flames, electrical equipment, grinding and cutting operations) and excessively hot locations
• All containers must be kept closed when not in use (including containers for waste liquids).
• When carrying containers of flammable and combustible liquids care must be taken to minimise the possibility of spillage and fire.
• Combustible wastes or residues must not be kept or left in areas where flammable or combustible liquids are stored or decanted.
• Materials that might interact dangerously with flammable and combustible liquids must be stored separately from them. In particular oxidising agents must be stored separately.
• All people handling flammable and combustible liquids must be familiar with their hazardous properties and the necessary safety procedures for handling them.

Keeping on top of constant changes – 2017 AS1970 update

Safety compliance is an area that is constantly reviewed. It wasn’t too long ago that flammable and combustible liquids were dealt with under different safety legislation. Since 2012, the Work Health and Safety Act considers flammable and combustible liquids together as hazardous chemicals.

The rules that comprise AS1940 were again revised in 2017 to accommodate different methods of fuel transportation and storage, and new safety measures being put into place.

Fire hydrants, for example, now need to have a 10L/s water supply to be AS1940 compliant, an increase from previous rulings.

Tank bunds in AS1940 have undergone regulatory changes. Self-bunded tanks can now carry an increased capacity of up to 200,000 litres, and a spill containment bund now needs to be at least 110% the size of the largest tank, up from 100%. Earthen bunds can now use polyethylene liners, and joint fillers need to be made of fire-resistant material with metal waterstops.

Above ground flammable liquid tanks that store more than 5,000 litres, or 25,000 litres of combustible liquid, now must have a high-level alarm installed.

Finally, spill response kits are now mandatory in situations where Class 3 flammable liquids are concerned. It would also be a good idea, though not required, to brief as many people who work in these areas to know how to use the spill response kit appropriately.

Regardless of how or when safety legislation changes around the country, at Bulk Fuel Australia compliance is critical. Our safety culture is fully integrated with our commitment to provide operational excellence for our clients and a happy and safe working environment for our people.

We provide safe, competitive bulk fuel solutions across a wide range of industries from marine, mining and agriculture to rail and construction. Call us today on 1300 57 9990 for more information about how we can help fuel your efficiency.