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November 6, 2014
What is Spontaneous Combustion?
Fun Stuff
HK Weekly Parts Specials
  
Fires in Laundromats

Dryer Fire


  
The Fire Triangle

For fires to form and to exist they
need 3 components:
  • Oxygen or an oxidizer,
  • Heat
  • Fuel source


  
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(now available at www.HKLaundry.com)

Stack Dryer Roller Replacement video
 
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HK offers this quick 5 minute Newsletter to inform our customers and prospective customers of important industry topics, up-coming events, industry news and HK Special Promotions.  HK will only send out these Newsletters when we believe we have something important to say.  We truly respect your time.

What is Spontaneous Combustion? 

Excerpts By Nathan Schiff, Ph.D., Schiff Consulting

 

Each year, hundreds of fires occur in Coin Laundromats, most of which were found to have started in dryers, but also a significant number occurred under counters or in laundry carts. These fires often occur long after the clothes has stopped in the dryer. Spontaneous Combustion can occur anywhere from coin Laundromats to huge tunnel power laundries. This article looks at the chemistry and physics of spontaneous combustion and how to prevent fires in Coin Laundromats.

 

How flammable is flammable?

Materials which can catch fire and burn are classified as either flammable or combustible, depending on the temperature at which they ignite. When dealing with liquids, this temperature is referred to as the flash point. The lower the flash point (the lower the temperature), the higher is the degree of flammability. For example, liquids which ignite at temperatures below 100�F, are considered to be flammable whereas those which catch fire and burn at temperatures above 100�F are combustible. For solids, such as cotton towels, rags or lint, the ignition point is referred to as the critical surface temperature.

 

Cotton, which is combustible, starts to decompose when the surface temperature reaches approximately 205�F and in the process, generates its own heat. For a point of reference, the normal "High Temperature" setting on a dryer is 190�F. This decaying process is accelerated when the fabric is tightly folded and placed in a confined area (like when someone over stuffs a dryer). Because it is hot, moist, and has no possible way to dissipate its heat, the oxidation continues to build upon itself, until the garment reaches the critical surface temperature and bursts into flames.

 

The Fire Triangle

There are three requirements necessary to support combustion as shown in the diagram:

  • Oxidizing Agent - (Oxygen in the air)
  • Fuel - (Clothes in the dryer)
  • Heat Source - (Heat from the dryer)

In a dryer, the fuel can be garments, or more likely lint, which is easier to ignite. There are also several different types of fuel commonly found in Coin Laundries.

   

Cotton - By the very nature of the laundry industry, linens, especially those with a high cotton content, are combustible either as clothes, towels, uniforms, rags or lint. The ignition point for these materials is referred to as the critical surface temperature. Cotton begins to oxidize at a surface temperature of 205�F.

 

Oxidization is the chemical process where one material changes into another and this decaying process creates its own heat. The oxidation process continues if materials are not allowed to cool down and are placed in carts or folded and stored tightly. Because of this hot and moist environment, oxidation continues. Oxidation will continue to build on itself until the material reaches critical surface temperature and self-ignites. Then we have a fire.                                  

Contaminates - Another source of fuel in laundries is contaminates held in fabric either before laundering, or left in the fabric after laundering such as cleaning products, oils and fats. If the laundering process does not remove these contaminates from fabric, the opportunity for fire from sponta�neous ignition increases significantly. Petroleum contaminants in fabrics will have a lower flashpoint and will self-ignite at much lower temperatures.

The oxidizing agent is oxygen, which is present in air. So where does the heating source come from hours after the dryer is turned off? To better understand the process we have understand what is meant by oxidation.

 

  to be continued in my next newsletter... 
    Fun Stuff ...
     (learning to do laundry at an early age)        
HK Parts Specials:
HU70136101 Dryer Overlay   
 

 

Overlay for Huebsch Stack Dryers

List Price $ 37.19

HK Special Pricing $ 17.99 

 

  HU70298701 (Red rollers)    

   

Rollers for Huebsch / Speed Queen Dryers

List Price $ 31.51

HK Special Pricing $ 16.98

 

Call Anthony at 1-800-229-4572 or

email [email protected]

to take advantage of these

Weekly Parts Specials.

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HK is a family run business that has been providing "Un-Compromising Quality since 1967".  That is 47 years of trust, respect, and loyalty to our customers.  HK Newsletters is our forum to help educate our customers on important topics in the Laundry Industry.  HK is committed to educating newbies and veterans alike.  Please let us know how we are doing and (obviously) if there is any topic or subject you would like to know more about, please email me at [email protected].
  
Best Regards,

 

Karl Hinrichs

HK Laundry Equipment Inc.  Facebook