GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Flash Point

Dangerous goods specialists, chemists, and freight forwarders rely on flash point as the key parameter for determining whether a liquid is flammable and which transport regulations apply.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_point

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Definition & Explanation

Dangerous goods specialists, chemists, and freight forwarders rely on flash point as the key parameter for determining whether a liquid is flammable and which transport regulations apply. Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air under standardized test conditions—provided an ignition source is present. In practice, it governs hazard classification: under IMDG and ADR rules, liquids with a flash point at or below 60 °C generally fall into Class 3 (flammable liquids). Flash point must not be confused with autoignition temperature, the considerably higher temperature at which a substance ignites spontaneously without any external ignition source. The flash point must be determined through standardized methods such as the Pensky-Martens closed-cup test and is a legally required entry in transport documentation.