The difference between flammable and inflammable
Fire safety is an important consideration in many industries, and it’s essential to understand the different terms used to describe the flammability of materials. Two such terms are flammable and inflammable, which many people mistakenly believe to have opposite meanings. In reality, flammable and inflammable mean essentially the same thing, and their use is dependent on the material in question.
What does flammable mean?
Flammable refers to materials that have a low flash point, meaning they can catch fire easily under certain conditions. Generally, flammable materials are liquids, gases, or solids that can quickly ignite and burn when exposed to an ignition source like heat, sparks, or flames. For example, gasoline, alcohol, and propane are all highly flammable materials that can quickly catch fire and fuel an ongoing blaze.
What does inflammable mean?
Inflammable, on the other hand, is often mistakenly believed to mean that something cannot be set on fire. In reality, inflammable means exactly the same thing as flammable, and it’s used primarily to describe materials that have a higher risk of combustion. In other words, inflammable materials are just as prone to ignite and burn as their flammable counterparts, and the two terms can be used interchangeably.
Why does the difference matter?
Given that flammable and inflammable mean the same thing, why do we have two words to describe the same concept? The distinction between the two terms is largely a matter of semantics – inflammable is technically an older word that predates flammable, and it was initially used to describe materials that were “capable of being inflamed” rather than “flammable.” Over time, however, the two terms have become interchangeable, and they are used to describe the same types of materials.
In conclusion, it’s essential to understand the difference between flammable and inflammable, despite the fact that the terms mean the same thing. No matter which word is used to describe a material, it’s crucial to take proper fire safety precautions when handling, storing or transporting flammable or inflammable materials, to prevent fires and protect people and property.
Table difference between flammable and inflammable
| Term | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable | Easily set on fire and capable of burning rapidly | Gasoline, alcohol, paper, wood |
| Inflammable | Easily set on fire, capable of burning rapidly, and may also be misleadingly thought to mean “not flammable” | Gasoline, alcohol, paper, wood |