Why is fuel oil with a low flash point considered dangerous to handle?

Fuel oil with a low flash point is considered dangerous to handle primarily because it can ignite more easily. The flash point is the temperature at which the vapors of a fuel oil can ignite in the presence of an ignition source. When a fuel oil has a low flash point, it means that it can produce enough vapor to ignite at lower temperatures compared to fuels with higher flash points. This characteristic significantly increases the risk of fire or explosion during handling, storage, or transportation, especially if the environment is not adequately controlled.

In contrast, fuels with higher flash points are generally safer to manage, as they require a higher temperature to produce ignitable vapors. This is crucial for maintaining safety in facilities that use such fuels. Therefore, understanding the flash point is essential for operators to implement appropriate safety measures while handling fuel oils to prevent accidents.