Citation

Croft WM. Fire Safety J. 1980; 3(1): 3-24.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Conditions which can give rise to unexpected of hazardous explosions during operational fire-fighting are identified through a survey of reported fire incidents covering the seventy years to 1976 (of UK, USA and Canadian origin). A range of phenomena regarded as explosions, and the conditions under which they have occurred, is described.The survey discusses occupancies, materials involved, and fire fighter casualties. Several significant incidents are described in detail. Relevant research has also been discussed.The type of fire now commonly described as the 'Chatham mattress' fire is seen not to be an entirely new phenomenon, the first formal description of what have been called 'smoke explosions' having been given in 1914.The most hazardous (because they have been unexpected) explosible conditions have resulted from smouldering fires with low rates of heat release. Low temperature and apparent fire inactivity can no longer be regarded as indicating safe conditions for the entry of fire-fighting personnel.