Flammability Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฅ
flammability
[flรฆmษหbษชlษti ]
Definition
fire safety
Flammability refers to the ability of a substance to ignite and burn. It is an essential property in determining how materials react when exposed to fire or heat. Substances with high flammability can catch fire easily, posing significant fire hazards. It is crucial in various industries, such as construction and manufacturing, to assess flammability to ensure proper safety measures. Knowledge of flammability helps in the safe handling and storage of combustible materials.
Synonyms
combustibility, fire risk, inflammability.
Examples of usage
- This fabric has high flammability and should be kept away from open flames.
- The flammability of gasoline makes it dangerous to store near heat sources.
- Safety regulations require testing the flammability of all new building materials.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- Flammability is a key concept in chemistry, used to classify materials based on their fire hazard risk.
- Materials can be categorized as flammable, combustible, or non-flammable based on their flashpoints.
- The flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which a material can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air.
Safety Regulations
- Regulations often require labeling of products with high flammability to prevent accidents in households and workplaces.
- Building codes frequently dictate the flammability of building materials to ensure fire safety.
- The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides guidelines to help assess and manage flammability risks.
Environmental Impact
- Certain flammable materials can pose significant environmental risks, especially during wildfires.
- Manufacturing and disposal of flammable products require careful considerations to avoid accidents.
- Fire retardants are frequently used in materials to reduce their flammability and increase safety.
Pop Culture
- Films and TV shows often dramatize fire hazards, emphasizing charactersโ encounters with flammable materials.
- The phrase 'play with fire' is commonly used in media to caution against taking risky actions that can lead to real danger.
- Popular science fiction often explores themes of flammability in futuristic contexts, such as the materials used in spaceships.
Origin of 'flammability'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'flammare', which means 'to set on fire'.
- It gained popularity in English around the 20th century, particularly in scientific discussions about safety.
- The suffix '-ability' indicates a quality, so 'flammability' describes a thing's quality of catching fire.
The word 'flammability' comes from the Latin root 'flammare', which means 'to set on fire'. It was first coined in the early 20th century to describe the ease with which a substance can ignite and burn. The term gained popularity in fire safety regulations and material science as the understanding of fire and material properties advanced. Previously, the word 'inflammability' was often used, but 'flammability' has since become the preferred term in scientific and safety contexts. As society has become more aware of fire hazards, understanding flammability has become increasingly important in various sectors, including transportation, building materials, and consumer products, leading to improved safety standards.