The low flammability of the chlorinated solvents is one important consideration for using them in surface cleaning and product formulations. Methylene chloride (MEC), perchloroethylene (PCE or perc), and trichloroethylene (TCE) are highly ignition resistant. This is one of the reasons why the U.S. EPA, in its Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP) for ozone depleting substances (ODS), lists MEC, PCE and TCE as acceptable replacements for ODSs. The document also states that the three chlorinated solvents should be used in aerosols only when non-flammability is a critical factor.

These chlorinated solvents have no flashpoint or firepoint, as determined by standard test methods. The flashpoint is defined as the lowest temperature of a substance at which application of an ignition source causes the vapor of a specimen to ignite under specific conditions. The tests commonly used to determine this temperature, as specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), are the Tag Open Cup test (ASTM D 56), the Pensky-Martens test (ASTM D 93), and the Setaflash test (ASTM D 3278 or D 3828).