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Diss Factsheets

Physical & Chemical properties

Flammability

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Endpoint:
flammable gases
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
Up to 2008
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: Non-GLP, non-guideline, Information from published handbook, acceptable with restrictions.
Principles of method if other than guideline:
The use of secondary sources of data is acceptable when they are based on a critical evaluation of peer-reviewed data and a consequent selection of a reliable and representative value for the property under investigation. The introduction to the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics states that data for physical constants have been taken from many sources, including both compilations and the primary literature. Where conflicts were found, the value deemed most reliable was chosen. Therefore, although the method used is not known, the values presented here are acceptable as they are from a reliable secondary source of phys chem. data.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Specific details on test material used for the study:
N/A
Key result
Parameter:
lower explosion limit
Value:
1.9 % (not further specified)
Key result
Parameter:
upper explosion limit
Value:
8.5 % (not further specified)

N/A

Interpretation of results:
extremely flammable
Conclusions:
The explosion limits of butane are 1.9-8.5%.
Executive summary:

The explosion limits of butane are 1.9 -8.5%. This information is taken from a reliable peer reviewed handbook and so can be considered reliable and suitable for use as the key study for this endpoint.

Endpoint:
flammable gases
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
Up to 2008
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: GLP status not known, guideline not known, information from a published handbook, acceptable with restrictions
Principles of method if other than guideline:
The use of secondary sources of data is acceptable when they are based on a critical evaluation of peer-reviewed data and a consequent selection of a reliable and representative value for the property under investigation. The introduction to the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics states that data for physical constants have been taken from many sources, including both compilations and the primary literature. Where conflicts were found, the value deemed most reliable was chosen. Therefore, although the method used is not known, the values presented here are acceptable as they are from a reliable secondary source of phys chem. data.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Specific details on test material used for the study:
N/A
Key result
Parameter:
lower explosion limit
Value:
3 % (not further specified)
Key result
Parameter:
upper explosion limit
Value:
12.5 % (not further specified)

N/A

Interpretation of results:
extremely flammable
Conclusions:
Ethane is a gas with a flammability range in air of 3.0 to 12.5% volume.
Executive summary:

No information on the primary source of the data or the methods used is available. However, this information is taken from a reliable peer reviewed handbook and so can be considered reliable and suitable for use as the key study for this endpoint. Most up to date source at the time. Ethane can form flammable and mixtures with air within the range of 3.0% to 12.5 volume %.

Endpoint:
flammable gases
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
Up to 2008
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: Non-GLP, non-guideline, Information from published handbook, acceptable with restrictions.
Principles of method if other than guideline:
The use of secondary sources of data is acceptable when they are based on a critical evaluation of peer-reviewed data and a consequent selection of a reliable and representative value for the property under investigation. The introduction to the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics states that data for physical constants have been taken from many sources, including both compilations and the primary literature. Where conflicts were found, the value deemed most reliable was chosen. Therefore, although the method used is not known, the values presented here are acceptable as they are from a reliable secondary source of phys chem. data.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Specific details on test material used for the study:
N/A
Key result
Parameter:
lower explosion limit
Value:
1.8 % (not further specified)
Key result
Parameter:
upper explosion limit
Value:
8.4 % (not further specified)

N/A

Conclusions:
The explosion limits of Isobutane are 1.8-8.4%.
Executive summary:

The explosion limits of isobutane are 1.8 -8.4%. This information is taken from a reliable peer reviewed handbook and so can be considered reliable and suitable for use as the key study for this endpoint.

Endpoint:
flammable gases
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
Up to 2008
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: Non-GLP, non-guideline, Information from published handbook, acceptable with restrictions.
Principles of method if other than guideline:
The use of secondary sources of data is acceptable when they are based on a critical evaluation of peer-reviewed data and a consequent selection of a reliable and representative value for the property under investigation. The introduction to the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics states that data for physical constants have been taken from many sources, including both compilations and the primary literature. Where conflicts were found, the value deemed most reliable was chosen. Therefore, although the method used is not known, the values presented here are acceptable as they are from a reliable secondary source of phys chem. data.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Specific details on test material used for the study:
N/A
Key result
Parameter:
lower explosion limit
Value:
5 % (not further specified)
Key result
Parameter:
upper explosion limit
Value:
15 % (not further specified)

N/A

Interpretation of results:
extremely flammable
Conclusions:
The explosion limits of methane are 5-15%. The data would result in a classification of category 1 flammable gas and the hazard statement 'extremely flammable gas'.
Executive summary:

The explosion limits of methane are 5-15%. This information is taken from a reliable peer reviewed handbook and so can be considered reliable and suitable for use as the key study for this endpoint.

Endpoint:
flammable gases
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
Up to 2008
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: Non-GLP, non-guideline, Information from published handbook, acceptable with restrictions.
Principles of method if other than guideline:
The use of secondary sources of data is acceptable when they are based on a critical evaluation of peer-reviewed data and a consequent selection of a reliable and representative value for the property under investigation. The introduction to the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics states that data for physical constants have been taken from many sources, including both compilations and the primary literature. Where conflicts were found, the value deemed most reliable was chosen. Therefore, although the method used is not known, the values presented here are acceptable as they are from a reliable secondary source of phys chem. data.
GLP compliance:
not specified
Specific details on test material used for the study:
N/A
Key result
Parameter:
lower explosion limit
Value:
2.1 % (not further specified)
Key result
Parameter:
upper explosion limit
Value:
9.5 % (not further specified)

N/A

Interpretation of results:
extremely flammable
Conclusions:
The explosion limits of propane are 2.1-9.5%.
Executive summary:

The explosion limits of propane are 2.1 -9.5%. This information is taken from a reliable peer reviewed handbook and so can be considered reliable and suitable for use as the key study for this endpoint.

Description of key information

The flammability limits of the substances in the category range from 1.8 to 15%.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Flammability:
extremely flammable

Additional information

Data from the CRC handbook (Lide 2008) were available for the substances methane, ethane, propane, butane and isobutane. Data from the Merck handbook (O’Neill 2006) were available for methane, ethane and propane. The information is taken from reliable peer reviewed handbooks and so can be considered reliable and suitable for use for this endpoint.

The flammability limits of methane are 5-15%, ethane are 3-12.5%, propane are 2.1-9.5%, butane are 1.9-8.5% and isobutane are 1.8-8.4%.

Justification for classification or non-classification

The lower and upper explosion limits are are 2.1- 15%.This data would result in a classification of the Petroleum gases as category 1 flammable gas and the hazard statement 'extremely flammable gas'.