What is indicated by the fire point of lubricating oil?

The fire point of lubricating oil is defined as the temperature at which the oil produces enough vapor to ignite and sustain a flame once it has already been ignited. This means that when the lubricating oil reaches this temperature, it can continue to burn after being ignited, thereby indicating its flammability characteristics in terms of how it behaves under heat.

The fire point is essential for understanding the safety parameters of lubricating oils as it helps in determining safe operating temperatures and the risk of fire hazards in machinery. Knowing that lubricating oil can sustain combustion at this temperature informs handling, storage, and operational procedures to prevent fire-related incidents on board a vessel.