Fire/Arson Investigations : Fire/Arson Investigations
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Re: Dryer Fire - Spontaneous Heating Oily Towels and Aprons
Posted by: djicove (IP Logged)
Date: October 28, 2017 02:54PM
See the following historical reference:
CPSC. (1992). Hidden Hazard in the Home: Clothes Heavily Soiled with Vegetable Oil Can Start Fires. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions, Release Number: 92040, January 6, 1992, [www.cpsc.gov]
“The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are urging consumers to be aware that cloth kitchen towels used to wipe or drain large quantities of vegetable cooking or salad oil can catch fire if heated. Normal laundering procedures may not remove all of the oil from the cloth. If these oil-containing towels are dried in the clothes dryer, left in a pile while still warm, or stored in a warm area, they may begin to smoke and catch fire. Fires can also occur with paper towels and with other household oils (chemically unsaturated oils, such as linseed oil and tung oil that are used to refinish furniture). It appears that some combination of soiled towel, heat, and air is required to promote a potential fire.”
Dave Icove
CPSC. (1992). Hidden Hazard in the Home: Clothes Heavily Soiled with Vegetable Oil Can Start Fires. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions, Release Number: 92040, January 6, 1992, [www.cpsc.gov]
“The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are urging consumers to be aware that cloth kitchen towels used to wipe or drain large quantities of vegetable cooking or salad oil can catch fire if heated. Normal laundering procedures may not remove all of the oil from the cloth. If these oil-containing towels are dried in the clothes dryer, left in a pile while still warm, or stored in a warm area, they may begin to smoke and catch fire. Fires can also occur with paper towels and with other household oils (chemically unsaturated oils, such as linseed oil and tung oil that are used to refinish furniture). It appears that some combination of soiled towel, heat, and air is required to promote a potential fire.”
Dave Icove
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