Why does the FAA and the DOT label jet fuel & gasloine flamable and not EXPLOSIVE?

Answer 1

These liquids are in fact flammable (burn, make a flame, a slower oxidation rate in contrast to explosives) when ignited, they don't explode (rapid and violent oxidation rate). The vapors (gas, not liquid) are explosive, but not the liquid form under normal atmospheric pressures and temperatures. The rate and duration of the oxidation process is one primary characteristic to distinguish flammables from explosives.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Answer 2

Gasoline is flamable not explosive, like dynamite or plastic explosives or fertilizer, and only lasts a few seconds. That is why there is controversy over the twin towers or 911, especially the third tower that collapsed without any of the debre from the towers hitting it. Also the hot spots in the clean up they would not touch in 911, they were caused by explosives not fire. You can draw your own conclusions, but the facts are there. Gasloine burns but doesn't explode, except under extreme pressure, like a car or gas engine.

Answer 3

not completely sure why they are placarded that way. probably because the vapor of both is what is flamable not the liquit. dont be stupid and try this but if you drop a lit match into an open container of gas the match will usually be put out and not burn. if the container is left out for a short period to allow a vaper cloud to form then drop the match in it will then combust. true they will be explosive in case of fire where the contents of the tank are brought up significantly in temperature until the pressure inside of the container causes a breach. the escaping vapor is what causes the explosion. i have read in several places that the tanker trucks and tanker rail road cars are not filled completly as a means to compensate for this and make it much safer to transport gas in that manner.

Answer 4

There are certain conditions that have to be met before either of these is technically explosive. Under normal circumstances, if you pour gasoline out and light it, it will combust but not necessarily explode. Even gunpowder will not explode unless it is under a certain amount of pressure, as is evidenced by the fuse soaked in gunpowder that simply burns until the flame reaches the compressed powder in the firecracker or explosive device, then BOOM!

Answer 5

Unless it is compressed in the proper air-fuel mixture, it will not explode. Most of the time it just burns. An internal combustion engine is specifically designed to create the right conditions to get fuel to explode, but these conditions are actually fairly difficult to duplicate by accident. So it is accurately classified.

Answer 6

Because the word explosive would attract terrorists and make them a target more so than the word flammable.

Answer 7

These LIQUIDS are flammable. Their GASES are explosive.