Oily rags can easily spontaneously combust
They are responsible for most fires in both home and commercial cabinetry shops
Rags left on the workbench during break time for 10 minutes are dangerous.
In our shop we are lucky to have great big windows for natural light.
The heat however from the sun can accelerate this process. I have witnessed it myself.
The key to fire prevention is proper handling and disposal of oily rags.
Below is a rag canister in which to discard old and used rags
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| Never discard an oily rag in the garbage can. Cabinet shops have garbage cans full of sawdust and extremely dry lumber. In the event of spontaneous combustion, you do not want these rags next to kindling! |
Wetting the rag before disposal will slow down possible combustion time
Policy
- Rags are not to be left around the shop and must be immediately disposed.
- All rags are to be thrown into the canister, not the garbage (if not sure about the solvent assume it is oil!)
- At the end of the day
- The canister will be emptied into a garbage bag
- The bag will be filled with enough water to saturate the rags
- The bag will be carried to the dumpster outside the building.
- A schedule will be posted in class naming 2 students responsible for rag disposal each day
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