Why should flammable liquid safety cans not be stored in confined spaces such as trunks or vehicles?

Why should flammable liquid safety cans not be stored in confined spaces such as trunks or vehicles?

• A. Because the vapor must be vented through the cover, which is not possible in confined spaces
• B. To prevent theft of cans
• C. To keep them cool in open air
• D. To avoid odor buildup in confined spaces

Answer: (A)

Flammable safety cans are equipped with a vented cap that allows vapors to escape as pressure builds. In an open area, those vapors vent safely to the atmosphere. But in a confined space like a trunk or an enclosed vehicle, there’s little or no ventilation, so vapors released from the can cannot escape and can accumulate. Heat from the sun or the vehicle can increase vapor pressure, raising the risk that vapors will reach flammable concentrations and find an ignition source. Because the safety feature relies on venting through the cap, placing the can in a confined space defeats that protection, making storage in such spaces unsafe.

Flammable safety cans are equipped with a vented cap that allows vapors to escape as pressure builds. In an open area, those vapors vent safely to the atmosphere. But in a confined space like a trunk or an enclosed vehicle, there’s little or no ventilation, so vapors released from the can cannot escape and can accumulate. Heat from the sun or the vehicle can increase vapor pressure, raising the risk that vapors will reach flammable concentrations and find an ignition source. Because the safety feature relies on venting through the cap, placing the can in a confined space defeats that protection, making storage in such spaces unsafe.