Fire and Explosion Hazards
Ethylene oxide is extremely flammable and its mixtures with air are explosive. When heated, it may rapidly expand causing fire and explosion. The autoignition temperature is 429 °C, minimum inflammable content in the air is 2.7%, and the NPFA rating is NFPA 704.
Fires caused by ethylene oxide are extinguished by traditional media, including foam, carbon dioxide or water. Extinguishing of burning ethylene oxide is complicated by that it can continue burning in an inert atmosphere and in water solutions. Fire suppression is reached only upon dilution with water above 22:1.
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