Spontanious combustion in garbage

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 27, 2004 | 10:54 AM

laynrubber

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 936

Likes: 25

From: La Ronge Saskatchewan

Spontanious combustion in garbage

How real is this where dirty shop rags have been known to combust when in the garbage.
I work in a large shop (aircraft maintenance) and we have lots of oily and greasy rags in garbage cans till the cans get full. Same as at home, last night i greased the truck and thought about the these rags in the garbage.
What conditions set up spontanious combustion, and how common is it.

Apr 27, 2004 | 11:23 AM

camo4stealth

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 807

Likes: 1

From: Idaho

I may be wrong here, but I think you have to have some sort of organic solvent/agent. Something like denatured alcohol or linseed (rapeseed) oil. I think even vegetable oil like the kind you cook with. I'm sure if I'm wrong, someone else here can straighten me and this out.

Apr 27, 2004 | 11:30 AM

68torino

Posting Guru

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 1,011

Likes: 0

From: South Dakota

Yes greasy rags can combust easily. And then again not, depends if they get any heat going then it can. I have seen large piles of paint dust not combust after sitting for days. I've seen small piles combust less than 10 minutes after being swept in a pile. I've seen wet wood chips go and a bunk of OSB smolder for awhile at work and it was wet. Basically if it is in a closed metal container then if it does combust it will be contained.

Apr 27, 2004 | 01:13 PM

Steve_B

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 432

Likes: 1

From: West London, England

When a solvent evaporates it can create heat and ignite, this is common when french polishing rags are screwed up and thrown in the bin

Apr 28, 2004 | 07:19 PM

flyboy2610

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 1,668

Likes: 3

From: Lincoln USA

This is a good reason to dispose of rags in a metal container with a tight fitting lid. If they do go "POOF", they will soon use up the available oxygen and go out.