Gasoline spill - how long is it a danger for ignition?

Question

The spill is about the size of 3 CD's on the cement and dirt outiside:

1) How long is it a danger to for the vapors ignite?
2) How long is it a danger for the gasoline on the pavement to ignite?

(Spilled at midday sunny, dry, about 80 degrees outiside)

Answer 1

Gasoline does not ignite until it is a vapor. My guess is that by now it has completely evaporated and dissipated into the atmosphere so there is no danger. Of course you have to light it first if you want it to burn. Gas just left on it's own doesn't spontaneously ignite.

Answer 2

How slow was the spill would help determining how long it could ignite. Try spilling some and setting it on fire. Start with say a silver dollar size drop. I think it may stay lit for 2 or 3 seconds. The 3 cds worth may take a minute or so to burn out and will take a little longer to evaporate the stain on the concrete will be gone by the end of the season

Answer 3

I'm going to estimate 1/2 hr for each case. With a small spill like this the volatility fo gasoline works in your favor, and the vapors dissipate rapidly. The remaining liquid is quite difficult to ignite if there is any after you can no longer smell its distinctive odor. (I'd advise against trying the experiment, though--if your timing is off you can be severely burned.)

Answer 4

until it evaporates-with the conditions you list-it is measured in seconds