Spontaneous Ignition
It is not magical, make-believe, or impossible – yes, certain things can spontaneously ignite. The spontaneous ignition of a pile of rags, metal shavings with oil, or the pyrophoric ignition of materials may seem surreal, but there is solid science behind it and can be explained. Our fire inspection services at Envista have experience with these fires via investigating real fires or studying how they might occur.
Examples of Spontaneous Ignition
The classic example of spontaneous ignition is linseed oil on rags. Linseed oil is used with paints or as a wood treatment all by itself. During the painting process, one cleans up their messes with rags. The linseed oil on these rags then reacts with oxygen in the air. This chemical reaction gives off heat. If the rags are laid out on the floor or not put in a pile, the heat given off is released harmlessly into the air. But, if the rags are cleaned up and thrown into a garbage can or a box, that heat is not so easily released. When that energy is stored in the rags they become warmer, the chemical reaction speeds up, and then before we know it this simple pile of rags has ignited – potentially causing a fire.
The key concepts to spontaneous ignition have already been alluded to in the linseed oil and rag scenario above. Those concepts are:
The key concepts to spontaneous ignition have already been alluded to in the linseed oil and rag scenario above. Those concepts are:
- The need for a chemical reaction that gives off energy
- A storage scenario that leads to heat being stored in the material that could potentially ignite
- A source of oxygen
Fire Cause Analysis Team
Our investigations are multidisciplinary; we draw upon expertise in fire science, engineering, and chemistry to find the cause, and we communicate our findings in a clear, concise manner that can be readily understood by non-technical individuals.
