Spontaneous combustion - Fact or Fiction?

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Evidence of a fire due to spontaneous combustion as a result of oil soaked rags left in a garage.

Spontaneous combustion or spontaneous ignition, as it is often called, is the occurrence of fire without the application of an external heat source.

Due to chemical, biological, or physical processes, combustible materials self-heat to a temperature high enough for ignition to occur

Rags and towels soaked with oils, including cooking oils; hot laundry left in piles; large compost, mulch, manure, and leaf piles; and moist baled hay can spontaneously combust in the right conditions. Avoid this type of fire by following a few simple and proven tips:

• Store piles of hay, compost, mulch, manure, and leaves away from buildings, in case a fire occurs, and keep the piles small to allow for the circulation of air and the dissipation of heat.
• Any business using large quantities of oily rags should dispose of those rags in an OSHA-approved container to await pickup by an industrial cleaning company.
• If you're working on a project at home, spread the soiled rags in a single layer on concrete to prevent the buildup of heat and allow the rags to become hard and brittle. Place the rags out of direct sunlight and secure the corners to prevent movement by wind.
• Hay should be completely dry before baling and moving to a storage facility. Ensure that the facility is well ventilated.
• Dial 911 or your local fire emergency number if your hay bales or mulch, leaf, manure, or compost pile is emitting smoke. The combustible material will need to be spread out to dissipate the rising heat, but the introduction of oxygen can result in an immediate fire. Firefighters should be standing by onsite.

In the unfortunate event should you be witness to a spontaneous combustion please call us at 440-564-7266 or visit  http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com