What characteristic does a fire point indicate about a substance?

A fire point is a specific temperature at which a substance produces enough vapors to ignite, but not enough to sustain continuous combustion without an external source of ignition. This means that at the fire point, the material can catch fire when exposed to an open flame but will not continue to burn on its own.

This concept is crucial in firefighting and safety protocols because it helps firefighters identify substances that can present immediate ignition hazards, even if they do not produce sustained combustion at that temperature. Recognizing the fire point of different materials allows fire professionals to better assess the risks involved in handling, storing, and battling fires related to those substances.

The other characteristics listed do not accurately reflect the definition of a fire point. Flammability at higher temperatures relates to different classifications of materials. Carcinogenic properties pertain to health risks associated with exposure rather than ignition capabilities. Electrical hazards also involve different safety considerations not directly connected to the combustion characteristics of a substance.