What is a characteristic of combustible liquids compared to flammable liquids?

Combustible liquids are characterized by their ability to ignite only at temperatures above their flash point, which is the lowest temperature at which they can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air. Specifically, combustible liquids have a flash point higher than 100°F (37.8°C), making them require a higher temperature to ignite compared to flammable liquids, which ignite at lower temperatures.

This distinction is crucial in safety and handling procedures, as it informs users how to properly store, manage, and work with these substances to prevent accidents and fires. Understanding that combustible liquids need to reach a certain temperature before they can ignite helps in recognizing the potential hazards involved when working with or around them, and why they are treated with a different level of caution compared to flammable liquids.