What kind of explosion are class 2 hazmats known for?

• A. BLEVE
• B. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
• C. Vapor Explosion
• D. Liquid Phase Explosion

Answer: (A)

BLEVE, which stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, is the explosion risk most associated with Class 2 hazmats. These hazards involve gases stored under pressure, often as liquefied gases in a vessel. When such a container is heated or damaged, the liquid boils and pressure climbs rapidly. The vessel can rupture, and the rapid expansion of the boiling liquid into high‑energy vapor creates a powerful explosion. This specific combination of boiling liquid and expanding vapor is what the term BLEVE describes, making it the best fit for this question. A vapor explosion is a more general idea of an ignited vapor cloud, and other terms like liquid phase explosion aren’t standard hazmat classifications.