Layers of Protection for Flammable Liquids

The protection provided by the 2021 IFC is to prevent flammable and combustible liquids from becoming ignited. This is accomplished by one or more of the following layers of protection:

1. PREVENTING the flammable and combustible liquids from vaporizing.
   • Equipment and devices are used to safely store, transport, dispense, mix or use the flammable and combustible liquids so that the liquid does not have the opportunity to evaporate except where intended.
2. PREVENTING the concentration of vapors of flammable and combustible liquids from reaching the vapor-air mixture between the lower flammable
   limit (LFL) and the upper flammable limit (UFL).
   • Ventilation of the area is used to dilute and reaches the LFL.
3. PREVENTING an accumulation of the vapor-air mixture of flammable and combustible liquids.
   • The ventilation of the area as well as the design of the area is used to prevent the vapors from collecting.
4. CONTROLLING ignition sources in the area.
   • These ignition sources are from people, equipment or static electricity sources.
5. Precautions against spontaneous ignition.
6. Removing other combustibles from the area.
   • Other combustibles may become involved in a fire, creating the ignition source for the flammable and combustible liquid.
7. Designing the equipment (piping, vessels, containers, and so on) and facilities to PREVENT the loss of flammable and combustible liquids and to
   PROTECT the flammable and combustible liquids from exterior fire exposure.
   • This protection is also used to protect other property and flammable and combustible liquids from fire exposure.
8. CONTROLLING the volume of flammable and combustible liquids to reduce the size of a potential fire.
9. Providing FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT to control fire from combustibles other than flammable and combustible liquids as well as fire from flammable and combustible liquids.
10. SECURITY to ensure that only trained personnel have access to flammable and combustible liquids.
11. TRAINING of personnel to ensure they are aware of the potential dangers and know the operating procedures and safety procedures.

Source:  IFC, 2021