Why is AVTUR safer when there is a spillage?

• A. Higher flashpoint
• B. Lower flashpoint
• C. Higher viscosity
• D. Higher volatility

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how likely a liquid is to form ignitable vapors in a spill, which depends on its flashpoint. A higher flashpoint means the liquid must be heated to a higher temperature before enough vapor is produced to ignite. So AVTUR, with a relatively high flashpoint, will not generate flammable vapors at normal ambient temperatures, making a spill less prone to ignition and therefore safer.

If the liquid had a lower flashpoint, it would release ignitable vapors more readily at room temperature, increasing the risk of ignition from heat, sparks, or a static discharge. The other options don’t address the ignition risk as directly: higher viscosity affects how a spill spreads and is cleaned up, but isn’t the main factor in whether the spill can ignite; higher volatility means more vapors at ambient conditions, which would make a spill riskier, not safer.