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The flash point of a fuel is the only parameter which is governed by prescriptive international legislation. For marine users, SOLAS 1974, amendment 1, chapter 11 - 2, regulation 15 should be referred to in all questions of low flash point fuel delivery. Flash Point is the temperature at which vapour is given off which will ignite when an external flame is applied under standardised conditions.

A flash point is defined to minimise fire risk during normal storage and handling. The minimum flash point for fuel in the machinery space of merchant ships and many land-based installations is 60°C. Even when residual fuels are at a temperature below their measured flash point, they are capable of producing light hydrocarbons in the tank headspace causing the vapour composition to be near to, or within, the flammable range.

Testing agencies frequently quote the flash point of a fuel sample as greater than 70°C. When the temperature is below this value an actual value is quoted. A low flash point can be indicative of fuel contamination by a more volatile product. The incidence of a flash point contravening the legal requirement is negligible, but it must be appreciated that it does happen from time to time.

Flash point of a fuel sample will change with time. Low flash point fuels should be isolated and handled carefully. The fuel supplier and insurance company (Classification Society, P&I club, etc) should be consulted immediately. Debunkering of low flash point fuel is the only real option in most circumstances.