- Author
- National Bureau of Standards
- Title
- Ignition of Fibrous Materials by Self-Heating.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Journal
- Technical News Bulletin (National Bureau of Standards), Vol. 35, No. 11, 159-160, November 1951
- Keywords
- self-heating
- Abstract
- Recent investigations by the Bureau's fire protection laboratory have provided conclusive proof that closely packed fibrous materials can ignite by self-heating. NBS tests show that these materials in quantity, after standing for some time, may develop an internal temperature higher than the surrounding, or ambient, temperature. The extent of this temperature rise depends upon the material, its density and packing, and upon the ambient temperature and the length of time this state is maintained. This work thus gives strong evidence that suitable precautionary procedures should be taken in the storage and use of such commodities. For instance, a 12-inch cube of wood fiberboard kept at 147 Deg. F, develops a peak interior temperature of 148 Deg. F; a sample kept at 210 Deg. F develops a maximum internal temperature of 230 Deg. F; and a sample at 240 Deg. F develops a temperature of 305 Deg. F. If the size of the specimen is increased, the amount of self-heating is increased.