Question

To reduce the chance of fire, flammable materials such as newspapers, boxes, and cleaning chemicals must always be stored at least _____ feet away from an ignition source such as a water heater, furnace, or stove.

a) 1 foot
b) 3 feet
c) 5 feet
d) 10 feet

Answer 1

Flammable materials should always be stored at least 3 feet away from any ignition source to reduce the risk of fire, with safety measures adhered to when handling these materials, particularly around open flames or heat sources. Option B is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

To reduce the chance of fire, flammable materials such as newspapers, boxes, and cleaning chemicals must always be stored at least 3 feet away from an ignition source such as a water heater, furnace, or stove.

This distance ensures that the heat or sparks from the ignition source do not reach the flammable materials, which can have varying flash points indicating the temperature at which they can ignite. Understanding the flash points is essential; for example, a substance with a flash point below 73 ℉ is highly flammable (rated 4) and can ignite very easily, thus maintaining a safe distance from ignition sources is a critical safety measure.

Following instructions carefully on how to handle flammable chemicals is crucial in both an educational lab environment and at home. In a laboratory setup, it is important to be aware of and follow safety protocols, such as not exposing chemicals to a flame or heat source unless instructed, ensuring proper ventilation when working with Bunsen burners, securing loose clothing and tying back long hair, sealing all chemical containers after use, and never leaving open flames unattended. These precautions help prevent accidents and fires.