Brandgefährlich

Brandgefährlich is a German term used to describe materials that can readily catch fire or sustain combustion. It is commonly encountered in German-language safety labeling, storage instructions, and safety data sheets to warn workers and users that a substance poses a fire hazard. The term is descriptive rather than a formal classification; it summarizes fire risk without specifying exact ignition temperatures or flammability limits.

Within EU regulation, formal hazard classes for flammability are defined under the CLP Regulation. In German, official hazard statements for flammable substances are entflammbar (flammable) or hochentzündlich (highly flammable). The label uses the flame pictogram and standardized statements such as H226 (Flammable liquid and vapor) or H304 etc. Therefore, "brandgefährlich" appears mainly as everyday language or workplace signage, not as a precise CLP category.

Safety considerations include keeping such materials away from heat sources, open flames, and sparks; using approved containers; ensuring good ventilation; ground and bond during transfer to prevent static discharge; and having suitable extinguishing media available (e.g., foam, dry chemical, or CO2 depending on the substance).

Examples of commonly concerned materials are many solvents (ethanol, acetone), fuels (gasoline, diesel fuels in certain forms), and some aerosols or cleaners that vaporize readily. Handling practices depend on the specific substance and its hazard statements.

See also: flammable substances, CLP Regulation, Sicherheitsdatenblatt, Gefahrstoffkennzeichnung, hazardous materials.