Is Gasoline A Class 1 Flammable Liquid?

It’s called gasoline in the U.S., and petrol in the U.K. Italians put benzina in their Maseratis. The French eloquently fill er up with de l’essence. But the NFPA calls the stuff a Class 1B liquid, while the DOT calls it a Class 3 hazardous material. What does it all mean for your flammable waste management? Check out the following Q&As for the answer:

1. Is gasoline considered hazardous waste?

2. What is a CLASS 1B liquid?

3. What is a Class 3 hazardous material? 

4. What is the difference between a flammable liquid and a combustible liquid?

5. What is a flammable liquid flashpoint?

6. What is the flashpoint for gasoline?

7. What is a boiling point?

8. What is the boiling point for gasoline?

9. How does altitude affect gasoline and flammable liquids boiling points and flashpoints?

10. What federal agencies regulate flammable liquids?

11. What is stale gasoline?

12. How do you dispose of stale gasoline?

13. Where can you get help with gasoline hazardous waste disposal?

1. Is gasoline considered hazardous waste?

Is it ever? The EPA classifies stale gasoline (see Q.11) as hazardous waste for its demonstrating two characteristics:  

1. Ignitability – meaning it can easily catch fire, combust, or explode at ambient temperatures.

2. Toxicity – meaning it can cause organ damage, injury, or death when a person or animal ingests or is exposed to it.

As such, stale gasoline is subject to RCRA hazardous waste disposal “cradle-to-grave” requirements for flammable waste management. 

2. What is a CLASS 1B flammable liquid?

According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), these are liquids that have a flashpoint lower than 73°F (22.8°C) and a boiling point at or above 100°F (37.8 °C). Along with gasoline (or de l’essence, s’il vous plait), Typical Class 1B liquids include acetone, benzene, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol (see source).

3. What is a Class 3 hazardous material? 

Per the DOT, every hazardous material is assigned to one of nine classes. Flammable and combustible liquids are #3, gasoline among them. The nine hazmat classes are as follows (see source):

1. Explosives

2. Gases

3. Flammable and combustible liquids

4. Flammable solids

5. Oxidizing substances, organic peroxides

6. Toxic substances and infectious substances

7. Radioactive materials

8. Corrosives

9. Miscellaneous hazardous materials

4. What is the difference between a flammable liquid and a combustible liquid?

Although “combustible” might sound more ominous than “flammable,” the opposite is true. Flammable liquids ignite more readily than combustible ones. 

More specifically, flammable liquids can ignite at normal working temperatures (e.g., gasoline and—believe it or not—hand sanitizer). Combustible ones require higher than normal temperatures to catch fire, making them relatively safer to use and store (e.g., engine oil).

The EPA categorized both flammable and combustible liquids as Class 3 hazardous materials. (See Q.3) 

5. What is a flammable liquid flashpoint?

Although it evokes images of John Travolta in tight pants, in matters of flammable waste management, the word “flashpoint” indicates the lowest temperature at which something will ignite—if there’s a source of ignition, like a match or a spark. Contrast this with something called autoignition temperature, which is the point at which something will spontaneously ignite without the benefit of an ignition source.

6. What is the flashpoint for gasoline?

You can put a match to gasoline at temperatures as low as -45°F (-42.78°C), and fire will quickly ensue. For the record, the autoignition temperature for gasoline is 536°F (280°C) (see source). (See Q.5)

A liquid’s flashpoint can also be defined as the temperature at which it begins to produce vapor. And get this: only the vapor of a flammable liquid burns, not the liquid itself. (So, who knew?) (See source).

7. What is a boiling point?

The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid vaporizes, becomes a gas, and floats into the atmosphere. Unless you’ve never made tea or hard-cooked eggs, you know that the boiling point for water (i.e., when it begins to vaporize) is 212°F (100°C). 

(N.B. Water doesn’t require flammable waste management, not even in the State of California.)

8. What is the boiling point for gasoline?

At atmospheric pressure, gasoline has an initial boiling point of 95°F (35°C).

(N.B. You should take our word for this. Boiling gasoline on your kitchen cooktop at home is highly contraindicated from a safety standpoint, Darwin notwithstanding. Instead, see source. We cannot be responsible… etc., etc.)

9. How does altitude affect gasoline and flammable liquids boiling points and flashpoints?

Both boiling points and flashpoints change with altitude and atmospheric pressure—so gasoline might be more volatile if you’re managing it in Leadville compared to Calipatria.

10. What federal agencies regulate flammable liquids?

It’s the DOT in matters of transportation. OSHA when it comes to workplace safety. And the EPA concerning cradle-to-grave management of flammable liquids. But remember…

The federal law establishing the EPA requires it to delegate primary responsibility for implementing its hazardous waste regulations to individual states. Thus, states can differ from federal guidelines about flammable waste management. And their regulations can be more stringent than their federal counterparts. 

So, regarding that rusting drum of stale gasoline or now hazardous waste container you need to get rid of, as we’re fond of advising, it would be prudent to get expert advice about flammable waste management before proceeding.

11. What is stale gasoline?

“Stale gas” is gasoline that has degraded and lost a significant portion of its combustibility. (I.e., its octane rating has gotten lower and lower.) Exposed to oxygen and various environmental contaminants, gasoline begins to degrade about 30 days into its life. Chemical reactions from gums and varnishes can cause engine problems (see source).

12. How do you dispose of stale gasoline?

Very, very carefully. Gasoline—stale or otherwise—is extremely flammable, and handling it near heat, flame, or an ignition source is begging for trouble. Also, as gasoline vapor spreads with air, so can a gasoline fire. 

Inhaling gasoline vapors (e.g., pouring it into another container) can cause headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and even intoxication. Prolonged exposure can cause severe respiratory problems. 

Skin contact with gasoline is ill-advised and can irritate; gas and its additives are considered carcinogens. 

Although you might be in a rush to get rid of it, also bear in mind that Illegally disposing of as little as a single gallon of gasoline down the drain can contaminate as much as 750,000 gallons of municipal water (see source). Your local eco-authorities would not be amused. You need to get expert advice about flammable waste management.

13. Where can you get help with gasoline hazardous waste disposal?

We were hoping you would ask that. 

Hazardous Waste Experts can connect you with the local specialists, equipment, and facilities you need to collect and dispose of stale gasoline properly, legally, and safely. Get expert advice today. Or call 877.200.2029

And thank you for reading our blog!