Combustion
Anyone ever have a combustion fire? Nick was working in the shop last week and he had thrown away a staining sponge that he had used to apply wood conditioner to the bead board. It had been drying outside for a week so he figured it had completely dried. He and a friend put some sawdust in the same garbage can as the sponge and soon afterwards they smelled smoke. It had started a small fire in the garbage can, but luckily they were right there when it happened. We’ve made sure to always have a fire extinguisher accessible in the shop and upstairs, but luckily we haven’t had to use it. So this week we’re letting the sponge dry out for much longer & we may leave it out in theopen until we make a run to the dump. I’ve read the warnings numerous times about rags combusting, but never heard of it happening- I guess it really does! So if you ever feel like tossing that damp rag in the trash- don’t! Thank goodness it wasn’t any worse. I keep thinking of all that nice, old, dry wood we have stacked in the house. That combined with the 100 year old framing, our house would go up quickly. I hate to even think about it.
6 Comments
Derek·September 27, 2006
That is so scary, I always lay the rags out flat on the floor, until they’re dry. I’ve never used a sponge. I think I’ll throw the dried rags in the garbage outside from now on. I’m glad the fire didn’t spread.
Tony Maro·September 27, 2006
It’s amazing just how combustible sawdust is… you should always be as careful with sawdust as you are with chemicals and gasoline. Put the two together and whammo!
Mindy·September 27, 2006
Whoah - that’s scary. Glad you guys caught it before it got out of control. Thanks for the warning, I’ll keep your story in mind the next time I’m chucking rags!!!
Greg·September 27, 2006
Wild! That’s one of those things you always hear about but never knew anyone it has happened to. Now I know somebody. I read a while back to put oily rags and sponges in to metal containers with lids while they are waiting for disposal. Something like an old paint can. Even if they do catch fire they will quickly exhaust the oxygen supply, and the metal won’t melt. Do I practice this at home: No. Will I start in the future: Yes.
Julie·September 27, 2006
My neighbor had a combustion fire. Before they moved in they had
the wood floors refinished. Some not so bright person took the
bag of saw dust from the sander and put it on the front porch.
It was a good thing the neighbor kids were playing in the street
they smelled the smoke and called the fire department. They came
very close to not having a house to move into!!!!
Texas Ranger·October 12, 2006
If I have oily rags I usually take them outside, lay them on concrete and light them. So they burn down in a controlled fashion while I watch them and afterwards I know I’m safe.
Fine wood dust in the air (just like flour) is actually quite a nice explosive!