Oily Rag Danger

On Wednesday, a resident was shocked to discover a fire burning against the front wall of his new house.  On fire was a can of xylene solvent and some rags together with a  can of oil based Sikkens stain that was boiling and ready to burst into flames. He called 911 and was able to douse the fire with a garden hose by the time the fire department arrived.  His quick action saved the house and the surrounding forest.

The young workman applying the Sikkens the day before was not aware of the dangers of spontaneous combustion (he is now!). When oily or solvent soaked rags are bunched up and left in a pile, oxidation generates heat, enough over time to burst into flames.

In this case,the ambient temperature was only about 15*C but the oil and xylene soaked rags generated enough heat to warm the xylene to more than 30*C, its flash point, causing its fumes to burst into flames, igniting the can of liquid xylene.

There are many opinions on the proper disposal of oily rags.  The easiest, cheapest solution is to place them in a non-combustible container (e.g. metal bucket) and fill it with water. Add detergent and rinse the oil out before disposing of the rags.  DO NOT place oily rags, even wet ones, in the garbage, you would merely be putting someone else at risk down the line.

Graeme Shelford

Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner