Technical Information

1-6. Hazardous material classification of water-insoluble cutting fluids

This explains the classification of water-insoluble cutting fluids as dangerous goods according to the Fire Service Act.

Hazardous materials under the Fire Service Act

Hazardous materials are defined in Article 2, Paragraph 7 of the Fire Service Act as "items listed in the item name column of the Schedule of the Act, and which have the properties listed in the properties column of the same table according to the classification specified in the same table." Items that have properties such as a high risk of fire, a high risk of fire spreading if a fire does occur, or are difficult to extinguish are designated as "hazardous materials," and from the perspective of fire prevention, the Fire Service Act regulates their storage, handling, transportation, etc.
Additionally, the concept of designated quantity is essential when storing hazardous materials. The designated quantity is defined in Article 9-3 of the Fire Service Act as "the quantity determined by government ordinance in consideration of the danger of hazardous materials." When storing or handling hazardous materials in excess of the designated quantity, it must be done in a licensed facility in accordance with the technical standards set forth by government ordinance.

Hazardous material classification for water-insoluble cutting fluids

Many water-insoluble cutting fluids are classified as hazardous materials under the Fire Service Act, so legal measures and preventative measures against fire hazards are required. Note that some emulsion and soluble products, even in their undiluted form, are classified as hazardous materials.
Water-insoluble cutting fluids are classified as "flammable liquids" in the fourth category of hazardous materials, and as shown in the table below, they are classified into petroleum types according to their flash points, with each type having a specified amount that can be used.

Classification of Hazardous Materials Class 4 "Flammable Liquids"

Product name	Flash point ℃	Representative product names	nature	Specified quantity
Daiichi petroleum	Below 21°C	Gasoline Acetone	non-aqueous liquid	200 liters
Daiichi petroleum	Below 21°C	Gasoline Acetone	water soluble liquid	400 liters
Second petroleum	Between 21°C and 70°C	Kerosene, diesel, cleaning oil	non-aqueous liquid	1,000 liters
Second petroleum	Between 21°C and 70°C	Kerosene, diesel, cleaning oil	water soluble liquid	2,000 liters
Third petroleum	70℃ or higher but lower than 200℃	Heavy oil Cutting oil Electric discharge machining oil	non-aqueous liquid	2,000 liters
Third petroleum	70℃ or higher but lower than 200℃	Heavy oil Cutting oil Electric discharge machining oil	water soluble liquid	4,000 liters
Fourth petroleum	200℃ or higher but lower than 250℃	Hydraulic oil Cutting oil Gear oil		6,000 liters
animal and vegetable oils	below 250℃	Palm oil, Olive oil, Castor oil		10,000 liters