The GHS Flame Over Circle Pictogram: What It Means

Short answer: the flame over circle pictogram means oxidizer: the chemical can cause or intensify a fire, often by supplying oxygen, even if it does not burn itself. It is one of the eight pictograms OSHA requires on chemical labels, and it is not the same as the flame.

What the flame over circle covers

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard pictogram QuickCard (OSHA 3491, 2024 revision) lists one hazard: oxidizers. Appendix C to 29 CFR 1910.1200 applies it to oxidizing gases, oxidizing liquids and oxidizing solids.

Hazard statements and signal words

What it looks like

Appendix C to 29 CFR 1910.1200 defines every pictogram the same way: a square set at a point with a black hazard symbol on a white background and a red frame wide enough to be clearly visible (C.2.3.1), which is why pictograms look like red diamonds. A red frame with no symbol inside is not a pictogram and is not permitted on a label, and each pictogram may appear only once on a label even when several hazards call for it (C.2.3.4).

Flame over circle vs. flame

The flame means the chemical itself is flammable. The flame over circle means the chemical feeds a fire. The combination is the danger: an oxidizer stored next to flammables can make a fire start more easily or burn hotter, so keep them apart — see chemical storage compatibility. Pool chemicals are a common workplace example of this storage problem; see pool chemical mixing dangers.

Products that carry the flame over circle

Strong hydrogen peroxide is the textbook workplace example: the hydrogen peroxide SDS guide shows 30% peroxide classified as an oxidizing liquid (category 2), with the flame over circle alongside the corrosion and exclamation mark pictograms; lower-strength products have their own sheets and classifications. If you decant an oxidizer into a smaller bottle, the free GHS label maker prints a secondary container label with this pictogram on it.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flame over circle pictogram mean?

Oxidizer. The chemical can cause or intensify a fire, even though it may not burn itself. OSHA uses it for oxidizing gases, liquids and solids.

What is the difference between the flame and flame over circle?

The flame means the chemical is flammable. The flame over circle means the chemical is an oxidizer that can cause or intensify a fire. They should not be stored together.

What signal word goes with the flame over circle?

Danger for oxidizing gases and for category 1 and 2 oxidizing liquids and solids; Warning for category 3 oxidizing liquids and solids.

This guide summarises the cited rules for general information and is not legal advice.

Related guides

• The Health Hazard Pictogram
• The Corrosion Pictogram
• The Skull and Crossbones Pictogram
• The Exploding Bomb Pictogram
• The Gas Cylinder Pictogram
• The Environment Pictogram
• Free GHS Label Maker (print secondary container labels)
• The GHS Flame Pictogram
• Chemical Storage Compatibility
• GHS Pictograms Explained: The 9 Hazard Symbols
• The GHS Exclamation Mark Pictogram
• GHS Signal Words: Danger vs. Warning
• GHS Label Requirements
• Secondary Container Labeling Under GHS
• The 16 Sections of an SDS Explained