Gasoline fumes are capable of ignition up to 12 feet away from the liquid. The fumes are far more flammable than the liquid alone. Gasoline, for example, won’t ignite even if you drop a lit match into it (as long as there are no fumes). When the gasoline is vaporizing, however, it doesn’t take much heat at all to burn.
Having a good ventilation system in place will limit vaporizing and minimize the hazards associated with the fumes of flammable liquids. Even if the fumes don’t catch on fire, they can still cause respiratory issues and increase the risk of serious diseases like lung cancer. When working with flammable liquids, be sure to have proper ventilation and respiratory equipment.
