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Learned about it school, heard bout it happening but NEVER seen it before today!

Started by DR Buck, May 09, 2010, 12:24:58 AM

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DR Buck

Spontaneous combustion  :o :o :o :o    

I went out early this morning to load the kiln and start a big milling job that I am behind on.    First thing I see is smoke coming from over in the corner of my log yard area.   smiley_fireman_hat   Turns out my sawdust and bark pile was burning.    There wasn't anyone around yesterday or early this morning to start it burning.  All I can figure is it was caused by spontaneous combustion. Never seen it happen before today.  Fortunately no harm was done and I let it burn all day today.   Makes me want to make sure I clean the sawdust out of the barn every day.





Been there, done that.   Never got caught [/b]
Retired and not doing much anymore and still not getting caught

Ron Wenrich

I've seen it several times in bark piles.  It usually happens in the winter and by being driven on with dump trucks.  The compaction and the heat usually sets it off.  They're next to impossible to put out.  The piles have to be pulled apart and doused with water. 

I've seen sawdust piles much larger than yours never catch on fire.  They get really warm, and its a good place to warm your feet in the winter.  They've all been circle mills.  Your dust may be a lot finer.  But, we've had a trailer load of fire sit for up to a week or more that never catches.

Your pile will burn for months.  There was one in NY that burnt for 20 years.  Of course, the guy kept adding to the pile. 
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

bandmiller2

Squirrels playing with matches.Sawdust piles are weird they will heat, and sometimes hold snow and ice all summer I've uncovered chunks of snow in august.Guess its good form to blow the dust as far from the mill as you can.Anyone know the volume of sawdust needed to have dangerous heat ?? Frank C.
A man armed with common sense is packing a big piece

Chris Burchfield

It is actually an uninhibited chemical chain reaction according to the National Fire Protection Association.  I've seen individual piles of horse poop begin as a smoldering fire.  I've seen mulch do the same thing.  As the organics begin to break down by action of the microbes, it generates heat.  Undisturbed, it will continue to gen heat until an ignition temperature is reached.  When mixed with oxygen it will produce an open flame.
Woodmizer LT40SH W/Command Control; 51HP Cat, Memphis TN.

Burlkraft

That happened to a friend of mine.......

We was just standin' there talkin' and he burst in to flames  ::)  ::)  ::)  ::)
Why not just 1 pain free day?

Chuck White

I would guess that the same thing could happen with the larger compost bins that some people have for their gardens.

Makes you want to keep it cleaned out from under the mill.  ;)
~Chuck~  Cooks Cat Claw sharpener and single tooth setter.  2018 Chevy Silverado and 2021 Subaru Ascent.
With basic mechanical skills and the ability to read you can maintain a Woodmizer  LT40!

Dave Shepard

I wonder if keeping a sawdust pile watered down would help prevent it by limiting oxygen and aiding the composting process?
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Texas Ranger

Quote from: Burlkraft on May 09, 2010, 09:00:49 AM
That happened to a friend of mine.......

We was just standin' there talkin' and he burst in to flames  ::)  ::)  ::)  ::)

Was that cause of horse poop or sawdust? 8)
The Ranger, home of Texas Forestry

DR Buck

Quote from: Burlkraft on May 09, 2010, 09:00:49 AM
That happened to a friend of mine.......

We was just standin' there talkin' and he burst in to flames  ::)  ::)  ::)  ::)

Now that's just not true.  ::)   You don't have that many friends   ;) and I've seen them all logged into the forum already today.     :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Been there, done that.   Never got caught [/b]
Retired and not doing much anymore and still not getting caught

bandmiller2

A man armed with common sense is packing a big piece

Magicman

Had it to happen to me.  The "duff" pile (bark, sawdust, etc) started and set fire to a stack of stickered lumber.  Lost the entire stack.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

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Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

Sprucegum

I don't have the paperwork at hand but I was told that in Alberta it is against the law to pile sawdust more than 3 feet high for that very reason.

GaryinMississippi

Quote from: Burlkraft on May 09, 2010, 09:00:49 AM
That happened to a friend of mine.......

We was just standin' there talkin' and he burst in to flames  ::)  ::)  ::)  ::)

I've done a slow burn before, but I've never burst into flames.

Tim L

I've seen a pile of laundered mop heads combust in a hospital laundry.
Do the best you can and don't look back

CHARLIE

Quote from: Dave Shepard on May 09, 2010, 09:14:20 AM
I wonder if keeping a sawdust pile watered down would help prevent it by limiting oxygen and aiding the composting process?

I don't think so since it is damp or moist sawdust or hay that generates the heat.

Back in the mid 1970s, I remember driving past a large stack of hay bales (the rectangular bales) in a field about 4:00pm and smoke was coming from them.  We were headed to another town to attend a play.  On the way home, about 10:00pm we passed those bales and they were burning really good. Large flames. 

Farmers are taking a risk if they put wet hay in their barns.
Charlie
"Everybody was gone when I arrived but I decided to stick around until I could figure out why I was there !"

Brad_bb

Some moisture will aid the microbe action.  I wonder if it's like corn, if corn is too wet it will rot and produce alcohol an can eventually lead to a fire.  
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