What is the most flammable substance

Fire departments in the United States respond to a home fire every 86 seconds. Fires can ignite suddenly, spread quickly and devastate lives.

Between 2011 and 2015, about one in 290 insured homes had a property damage claim related to fire and lightning. The average amount paid for each of these claims was $43,983, showing how costly a fire can be.

Most of us know what causes fires: cooking equipment, faulty electrical wiring, heating appliances, candles and other open flames. We did a little digging to find out exactly how flammable our homes are — and what causes the most damage.

Mattresses and bedding

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that a mattress or bedding was the first item ignited in about 10,000 home fires, on average, each year between 2005 and 2009. Many of those fires were caused by ...CLICK TO TWEET

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that a mattress or bedding was the first item ignited in about 10,000 home fires, on average, each year between 2005 and 2009. Many of those fires were caused by smoking materials and candles. That’s why it’s important to keep heating equipment away from mattresses and bedding. The U.S. Department of Commerce started issuing mattress flammability standards in 1972, but bedding remains a key concern in home structure fires.

Aerosols

An aerosol is any substance kept under pressure and released as a spray (think: hairspray, spray deodorant, air freshener, sunscreen and spray paint). Many aerosols contain flammable propellants, like propane and butane. Aerosols should be used with caution, away from open flames, lit cigarettes, heat sources, air vents and appliances. Otherwise, they can turn into accidental flamethrowers. Even empty aerosol cans can cause trouble.

Dryer lint

Between 2010 and 2014, nearly 16,000 U.S. home fires involved washers and dryers. Typically, the first things ignited in dryer fires are dust, fiber and lint. They build up in the lint trap, the vent and the duct, reducing air flow and increasing the chance that a fire will start. Be sure to clean the lint filter after each use. And avoid leaving your machine running when no one is home. If possible, wash clothes that have been tainted with gasoline, cooking oil or other chemicals twice before throwing them into the dryer.

Cooking oils and powders

Nearly half of all house fires in recent years have started in the kitchen. Cooking appliances and tools can ignite fires and certain foods and ingredients help flames spread.CLICK TO TWEET

Nearly half of all house fires in recent years have started in the kitchen. Cooking appliances and tools can ignite fires and certain foods and ingredients help flames spread. Cooking oils, like citrus oil, are extremely flammable and can be hazardous if used improperly. To protect yourself and your home, keep smoke and flash points in mind.

You should also be careful when cooking with sugar and flour. Flour covers a large surface area, allowing flames to travel fast. Since flour is a carbohydrate, it can cause explosions when mixed with the air.

Flammable and combustible liquids

There’s likely a long list of flammable liquids in your home. Besides gasoline and lighter fluid, things like rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer and wart remover can easily catch fire. According to the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, all flammable and combustible products must have a warning label. But it’s ultimately up to the consumer to use them responsibly. Make sure you put a cap on any flammable liquids and clean up spills quickly.

Bonus: ping pong balls

If you have a basement or playroom in your house, beware. Ping pong balls are just waiting to catch fire. They’re made of celluloid, which is extremely flammable. The celluloid is so concentrated that it doesn’t take much to ignite a ping pong ball.

Fires spread

Once a fire ignites, it will spread. See just how quickly a fire can spread in these demonstration videos:

Within minutes, a room can be completely engulfed in flames. This Old House points out that 30 or 40 years ago, residents had about 17 minutes, on average, to get out of a burning house once the fire alarm sounded. Today, fires can spread within three or four minutes thanks to open floor plans, new construction materials and an increased amount of synthetic products in homes. Bottom line: Fires are burning much faster than they used to.

Fire prevention

Luckily, there are things you can do to protect your home and prevent fires. Ensure your electrical wiring is up to date, get your chimney cleaned regularly and remove clutter and flammable grease from your kitchen. Discuss fire safety with your whole family, purchase a fire extinguisher and keep exits clear. Install smoke detectors, sprinklers and a fire alarm system.

Discuss fire safety with your whole family, purchase a fire extinguisher and keep exits clear. Install smoke detectors, sprinklers and a fire alarm system.CLICK TO TWEET

Better yet, consider purchasing a smart home device. Smart smoke detectors can warn you of a potential fire before it begins. You can also buy smart batteries and plugs. By connecting to these devices from your smartphone, you’ll always be aware of what’s happening at home even when you’re away.

Smart home devices not only help you protect your home, but they can also reduce your home insurance premiums. Smart gadgets make homes safer and more efficient. And when homeowners invest in them, insurance companies like Hippo reward them with lower insurance rates.

Protecting your property from the risk of fire is your responsibility as the building owner or employer, but in order to do that, you need to know what items present a fire hazard.

As we’ve covered extensively in our previous articles, the impact of a fire on your business can be devastating, so you should be doing everything you can to keep informed of any fire hazards that could be on your premises, and taking every necessary step to reduce them.

Most offices will have flammable items present in some form – this is unavoidable, but knowing what these items are and how to protect your employees and the building will prepare you for the worst.

Our team at Target Fire Protection have listed 10 of the most flammable items that you may have in the office, and how to correctly contain them, if they do cause a fire.

If you have recently gone back to the office, or moved to a new one, it’s a legal requirement to have a fire risk assessment in place – for a quote and advice, contact our team today.

Aerosol Cans

Issue:

Aerosols are one of the most flammable everyday items due to the propane or butane used as a propellant. Many workplaces will have aerosol cans present in the form of cleaning sprays, or even deodorant in the bathrooms.

Fire Safety Tip:

The can could explode if overheated or exposed to sunlight, so keeping any aerosol cans in your workplace in a secure, ventilated area is best.

Drain cleaners and disinfectants

Issue:

Drain cleaners and disinfectants all contain chemicals that can be combustible if not stored correctly. If you have cleaning products stored on your premises, never allow these liquids to come into contact with an ignition source.

Fire Safety Tip:

Be sure to store them the right way up with lids screwed on, in a locked ventilated cupboard.

Cooking oils

Issue:

All cooking oils are extremely flammable when they reach a certain temperature, and if in contact with a spark of fire, can be very dangerous.

Fire Safety Tip:

Whether you have a small kitchen for employees to use, or own a property with large kitchens, food cooking in oil should be supervised at all times, with the proper fire equipment in place for emergencies.

Gas

Issue:

Gasoline causes an average of 8,000 house fires every year, due to improper storage. If you have gasoline on your premises, make sure it is stored at ground level and away from any heat sources.

Fire Safety Tip:

Gasoline and petrol can also give off vapours that can easily catch fire if not handled correctly, so sources of ignition should never come into close vicinity to gas tanks.

Heaters

Issue:

When an item is used to warm things around it up, it has the serious risk of overheating and causing a fire.

Fire Safety Tip:

To keep heaters from harm’s way, make sure they are cleaned and serviced regularly, and are kept away from any other flammable materials such as dry combustibles or chemicals.

Moth balls

Issue:

Moth balls are small balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant used to deter mould, moths, and rodents. Consisting primarily of naphthalene, moth balls are deemed as extremely flammable.

Fire Safety Tip:

Although these are more commonly found in the home than in the workplace, it’s essential that extra care is taken when in their vicinity, and don’t keep near electronic equipment.

Damaged Power cords

Issue:

A damaged power cord can spark and cause a fire to spread within seconds.

Fire Safety Tip:

All electronic equipment should be serviced and maintained regularly (known as PAT testing), with any damaged power cords replaced immediately to ensure the safety of everyone in the surrounding area.

Paper and dry waste

Issue:

One of the biggest causes of fire to spread is the improper storage of dry, combustible waste such as paper and cardboard.

Fire Safety Tip:

Many offices and busy workplaces have an abundance of these dry goods that are not stored correctly, and therefore act as a fuel for any fire that breaks out, quickly accelerating the problem.

Soft furnishings

Issue:

Soft furnishings such as sofas are more common in offices where a more relaxed atmosphere is favoured. The fabrics that upholster this furniture is often flammable, which in the event of a fire can burn rapidly and pose a risk to anyone nearby.

Fire Safety Tip:

To ensure your office is safe, make sure any soft furnishings you put in your office are compliant with legislation on fire resistant materials, and that you have the appropriate fire extinguishers nearby in the case of a fire

Styrofoam

Issue:

Polystyrene is classified as a ‘B3’ product, meaning highly flammable. It is prohibited from being used as insulation, or in any exposed installations in building construction, but is popularly used as packaging protection.

Fire Safety Tip:

If you have Styrofoam in the workplace, make sure it is stored and disposed of in the proper and safe way. Be mindful when disposing of this material that you are not leaving it out in the open and therefore vulnerable to arsonists.

Learn more about the causes of fire in an office with our ‘5 most common causes of fire in the workplace‘ article.

Target Fire Protection provides a complete fire protection service for commercial properties across Manchester, Rochdale and the surrounding areas.

We supply and service fire extinguishers and fire alarms, and provide specialist fire safety courses and fire risk assessments to ensure the complete safety of your premises.

To find out more, or to discuss how we may be of assistance to your company, contact our team today and we’ll be happy to help.