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Our Solutions: Testing

Flammable Gas and Vapor Testing

Apparatus conducting gas and vapor testing to assess hazardous levels in air samples.

Ensure workplace safety with Sigma-HSE’s comprehensive gas and vapor testing solutions. 

Our laboratories provide detailed test data on the flammability and explosivity of gases, vapors, and liquids in your processes:

Please contact us if you have any customized flammable gas and vapor testing requirements, or if you require consulting services related to gases, vapor and liquid explosion safety.

Gas and vapor testing

Why Gas and Vapor Testing is Essential

Flammable Gas and Vapor Testing is essential for industries handling combustible substances. With thorough Flammable Gas and Vapor Testing, you can:

  • Assess the ignition and explosion risks associated with various gases and vapors.
  • Measure the concentration of flammable gases and vapors in your environment to ensure safe levels.
  • Implement effective control measures to minimize the risk of fires, explosions, and toxic releases.
  • Comply with industry safety standards, including OSHA and NFPA, to maintain a safe and legally compliant workplace.


By incorporating Flammable Gas and Vapor Testing into your safety protocols, you can proactively manage risks, enhance worker safety, and protect your facility from potential hazards.

Discover Our Range of Gas and Vapor Testing Solutions

Combustible gas, vapors and liquids have the potential to create risk for fire and explosions. Understanding the flammable properties of these hazardous materials is essential to optimize safety in your processes.

Our gas and vapor flammability testing laboratory offers comprehensive testing solutions conducted to global standards. With a 7-10 day turnaround, we help identify and characterize hazardous materials and assess the risks associated with flammable gases and vapors.

Flashpoint

ASTM D 93 / ISO 2719 / ASTM D 3828

The flashpoint test is conducted to determine the lowest temperature at which a liquid will liberate sufficient vapor that will briefly ignite (flash).

Flashpoint measures the response of the test specimen to heat and ignite under controlled laboratory conditions. It is only one of a number of properties that must be considered in assessing the overall flammability hazard of a material. Flashpoint is used in shipping and safety regulations to define flammable and combustible materials and classify them. Flashpoint will also indicate the possible presence of highly volatile and flammable materials in a relatively non-volatile or non-flammable substance.

There are several closed cup methods used at Sigma-HSE to determine the flashpoint of a gas or vapor.

A test specimen (75 ml) is introduced into the test cup of the apparatus and the lip assembly is attached. A sample is heated at a rate of 1.0 to 1.6°C per minute with continual stirring at 250 rpm. A small flame with a diameter of 3.2 to 4.8 mm is directed into the cup containing the sample, at regular intervals, with simultaneous interruption of stirring.

Testing is started at 23 ± 5 °C below the expected flashpoint (or at ambient if unknown) with the source of ignition applied at 1 °C intervals, for temperatures up to 110 °C, and 2 °C for temperatures above 110 °C. Further trials on fresh materials are conducted starting 23 ± 5 °C, below that of the lowest ignition temperature observed in the initial trial. The flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which the application of a flame results in the ignition of vapor above the sample.

A test specimen (2ml for temperatures up to and including 100 °C, 4 ml for temperatures above 100 °C) is introduced into the test cup of the apparatus that is maintained at the expected flashpoint (or ambient temperature if the expected flashpoint is not known). After a specified time (1 minute for temperatures up to and including 100 °C, 2 minutes for temperatures above 100 °C) a source of ignition is applied, and a determination is made whether or not a flash occurred.

The test specimen is removed from the test cup; the test cup and cover are cleaned, and the test temperature is adjusted to 5°C lower or higher depending on whether or not a flash occurred. A fresh test specimen is introduced and tested. This procedure is repeated until the flashpoint is established within 5°C. Finally, the procedure is then repeated at 1°C intervals until the flash point is determined to the nearest 1°C.

A test specimen (2ml for temperatures up to and including 100 °C, 4 ml for temperatures above 100 °C) is introduced into the test cup of the apparatus that is maintained at the expected flashpoint (or ambient temperature if the expected flashpoint is not known). After a specified time (1 minute for temperatures up to and including 100 °C, 2 minutes for temperatures above 100 °C) a source of ignition is applied, and a determination is made whether or not a flash occurred.

The test specimen is removed from the test cup; the test cup and cover are cleaned, and the test temperature is adjusted to 5°C lower or higher depending on whether or not a flash occurred. A fresh test specimen is introduced and tested. This procedure is repeated until the flashpoint is established within 5°C. Finally, the procedure is then repeated at 1°C intervals until the flash point is determined to the nearest 1°C.

Many products containing small quantities of materials with a low flashpoint can still dominate the flammability characteristics, especially flashpoint. Even in an aqueous solution, materials of high volatility will be driven off at low temperatures. Equally, a mixture of materials with similar volatility characteristics and differing individual flashpoints can produce an averaging scenario.

Therefore, assumptions are far from ideal when assessing liquid mixtures for flammability. Testing is the only way to confidently ensure a flammable atmosphere is either avoided or understood.

Auto-Ignition Temperature (AIT)

ASTM E659

The auto-ignition temperature (AIT) test is conducted to determine the lowest temperature at which a substance will produce hot-flame ignition in the air at a specific atmospheric pressure, without the aid of an external energy source such as a spark or flame. It is the lowest temperature at which a combustible mixture should be raised so that the rate of heat evolved by exothermic oxidation reaction will overbalance the rate at which heat is lost to the surroundings and cause ignition.

The test is predominantly conducted on liquids, however gases and solids are capable of full vaporization should be tested using the method below:

Working through a range of material concentrations, the material is injected into a heated and thermally stabilized, 500 ml round bottom flask. Once an ignition temperature is observed, the flask temperature is reduced, and the material concentration is varied until an auto-ignition temperature is established.

The auto-ignition temperature is required to define the maximum permitted surface temperature of electrical and non-electrical equipment used in areas where potential testing material is present. This allows for the correct and appropriate designation of equipment based on their temperature or “T” Class.

 

Many products are incorrectly given an auto-ignition temperature based either on untrustworthy literature or on its worst-case component (component with the lowest auto-ignition temperature). Other inert or less sensitive components within the product can greatly affect the overall auto-ignition temperature of the product. These products will usually produce a higher auto-ignition temperature.

Flammable Limits (LEL / UEL)

ASTM E681 / ASHRAE 34

This test is conducted to determine the lower and upper flammable concentration limits of chemicals that have sufficient vapor pressure to form flammable mixtures at atmospheric pressures at specific temperatures.

This test can be conducted on vaporized liquids and gaseous materials. Refrigerant gases are tested to ASHRAE 34, using the method detailed within ASTM E681, with specific ignition criteria and air moisture content.

The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) or lower flammable limit (LFL) is the minimum concentration of a combustible substance that can propagate a flame in a homogeneous mixture of the combustible material and the air, under the specified conditions of the test. Generally, 1% v/v of the material is added to a glass vessel under a vacuum. Air is allowed back into the system and the material and air are mixed before an electrical source of ignition is activated, and observations for flame propagation are observed. The material is then incrementally increased in 1% steps until the ignition is observed and the LEL is defined.

Upper explosive limit (UEL) or upper flammable limit (UFL) is the maximum concentration of a combustible substance that can propagate a flame in a homogeneous mixture of the combustible material and air, under the specified conditions of the test. Once the Upper Explosive Limit has been established, a theoretical Upper Explosive Limit is calculated, and testing is started at a concentration above.

The material is added to a glass vessel under a vacuum, air is allowed back into the system and the material and air are mixed before an electrical source of ignition is activated, and observations for flame propagation are observed. The material is then incrementally decreased in 1% steps until ignition is observed and the upper explosive limit is defined.

To ensure that avoiding a flammable atmosphere as a ‘basis of safety’ is accurately conducted and monitored and to make sure that flammable limit alarms and detection systems are correctly set. A mixture of materials cannot simply be based upon worst-case constituent values, therefore testing of the product is essential.

Can’t find the Gas and Vapor Testing services you need?

Get in touch with one of our experts to learn how our gas and vapor testing services can help you prevent gas-related hazards, fires, and explosions.

From assessing the flammability and explosiveness of gases and vapors to evaluating their ignition sensitivity and potential hazards, we provide testing solutions for any material, product, or chemical that may pose a fire or explosion risk.

FLAMMABLE GAS AND VAPOR TESTING

Test your gases and vapors to prevent explosion hazards and ensure safety

Protecting personnel, workplaces, and the environment from explosion hazards and fires related to flammable gases and vapors requires a clear understanding and management of these substances. Gas and vapor testing helps evaluate the potential for ignition and explosion by identifying volatile compounds that may pose safety risks. These tests determine the flammability limits and behavior of gases and vapors under different conditions.

To prevent incidents, it’s important to assess and control flammable gas risks, ensuring compliance with safety standards and maintaining a safe environment. Through gas and vapor testing, businesses can measure the concentration, reactivity, and explosiveness of gases and vapors in their facilities.

Sigma-HSE offers gas and vapor testing services that provide tailored solutions to identify, characterize, and manage flammable gas risks. Our laboratory uses advanced techniques to simulate real-world conditions and assess substance behavior, helping businesses implement effective safety measure

The Sigma-HSE Advantage

From flashpoint testing to auto-ignition temperature, Sigma-HSE is your single process safety solution provider for flammable gas and vapor testing. Our dedicated team of experts are committed to helping you ensure and maintain compliance by testing potentially flammable gases & vapors and then providing you with comprehensive and actionable gas test data.

How to get your flammable gas and vapors tested

Partner with Sigma-HSE to simplify the process of Gas and Vapor Testing. Our step-by-step approach includes:

Contact us

Get in touch with one of our experts so we can learn more about your specific flammability requirements. We'll then generate and send you a customized quote.

Prepare & ship

Prepare your samples and ship them to one of our global laboratories.

Test, analyze & report

Once we've received your gas sample, we'll begin testing and analyzing. We'll then create and send you a custom in-depth report with actionable insights.

Post-Project Support

If you need support after receiving your report, our after-sales support team will be on hand to assist you with any questions you may have.

Request a Quote for Flammable Gas and Vapor Testing

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Gas and Vapor Testing helps you identify the flammable properties of your gases and vapors to prevent fire and explosion risks.

Getting your gases and vapors tested is an important aspect of safety compliance. Learn more about our Gas and Vapor Testing and analysis solutions today.

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