Minwax Polyurethane Fire?
Kevin Long
I am investigating an Accidental fire which has 2 possible causes. Cause
#1 is careless disposal of a smoking material, cigarette. Cause #2 is
the spontaneous combustion of Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane (Thompson
Minwax Company) on a single sheet of a Scott Shop towel within a 2 hour
time frame.
I am looking for any possible verifiable evidence supporting the Minwax
theory. Has there been any experience with this type of fire cause
before. It is believed that the cigarette started the fire, however I do
not want to rule out the possibility of the Minwax. There is an
Insurance Company involved and they would like to see the fault of the
fire put on the Thompson Minwax Company so they can recover the costs of
the claim.
If you can forward me any information regarding this theory by February
11, 1997 it would help me put closure on this case.
Kevin Long
Lieutenant
Mashpee Fire & Rescue
Mashpee, Massachusetts USA
kl...@cape.com
Mal2632
Keven
I am a investigator i NJ we had a case a few yrs back that sounds like
yours
only time line may have been longer.
rages used for refinishing were left in a box in a adtic being finished, a
micita cordless drill & charger were in box and we belive the heat from
the drill along with the recharger sent the rags on fire through spontius
comb. all other cause ruled out . It was also mid winter & cold
You could reach me at (908) 446-8329 if i can be of any help
Mike Lennox , Manalapan Fire Bureau NJ
email mle...@monmouth.com
or
MAL...@AOL.com
mike lennox
mar...@juno.com
Hello I have worked with plastics at Igloo corporation in the safety
office. Polyurethanes do and have a tendency to self ignite from its own
creation of heat. Some of the two part plastic foam urathanes, are able
to self ignite in times where the plastic mixed too rich in a spot. Gives
off deadly gasses and burns with a greenish smoke. Dow chemical sells the
plastic in a two part muxture one is nothing more than sugar water mix
and the other part is MDI. However some urathanes in the proper mixture
and oxygen content can self ignite due to the level od the flash point of
a urathane molicule.
Markww
Brandon Guest
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Feb 97 20:58:25 -0000
> From: Kevin Long <kl...@cape.com>
> To: "FIRE-L" <FIR...@cornell.edu>
> Subject: Minwax Polyurethane Fire?
> Message-ID: <1997020801...@raptor.cape.com>
>
> I am investigating an Accidental fire which has 2 possible causes. Cause
> #1 is careless disposal of a smoking material, cigarette. Cause #2 is
> the spontaneous combustion of Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane (Thompson
> Minwax Company) on a single sheet of a Scott Shop towel within a 2 hour
> time frame.
>
Spontaneous combustion is only a problem with 'organic' products. If
the Minwax is truely 'polyurethane' then it is not the cause. If the
Minwax had a 'linseed' or other organic component, then you could
consider the possibility of spontaneous combustion.
Sounds like cigarette in the old wastebasket problem to me.
[snip]
>
>
> Kevin Long
> Lieutenant
> Mashpee Fire & Rescue
> Mashpee, Massachusetts USA
> kl...@cape.com
Brandon
Chief, Hamel Vol. Fire Dept.
--
H. Brandon Guest | bgu...@siemens-psc.com
Siemens Power Systems Control | Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc.
7225 Northland Drive | Voice (612) 536-4529
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428-1540 | Fax (612) 536-4359
CSC
I missed the original post, but I think it's about the possibility of
spontaneously combusting polyurethane.
If my memory and chemistry is correct urethane product should not
spontaneously combust. Petroleum based product are not subject to this.
Wood chips and natural oils will spon. combust. Linseed oil, fish oil
and peanut oil come to mind as examples. Linseed oil does make up some
wood stains. The others are used in Asian cooking I think.
The process starts with micro-organisms that generate heat as a body
function. This heat is captured in packed materials until the flash
point is reached. If the material is not packed tight the heat will
disipate safely. Your cause may be right in the heat from the drill was
captured in the rags or the drill itself exceeded the flash point.
Hope this helps.
Chris
FPE
St. Paul, MN
Brian H. Wilbur
One of our senior fire investigators went to the local hardware store and
retrieved an MSDS for Minwax. Here's the deal:
Yes, it is polyurethane, but it is also 54.5% (by weight) mineral spirits
(Stoddard Solvent). Only 45.0% is the vehicle (polyurethane) and 0.5%
are additives. Under handling precautions it states "Avoid spontaneous
combustion of contaminated rags and other easily ignitable organic
accumulations by immediate immersion in water."
The NFPA hazmat classification is 2
2 0
Hope this helps.
Brian H. Wilbur, Fire Chief
Ithaca Fire Department
310 West Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
607-272-1234
607-272-2793 fax
b_wi...@baka.com