Interesting problem Randy, and in speaking to our Food Service director, he has witnessed this same phenomenon at Michigan State with washing greasy food service rags.  Our laundry service is contracted out, so it's not an issue for us.

Thanks for the heads up,
Robert


-----Original Message-----
From:   Randy Horman [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Thursday, February 11, 1999 12:27 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Dryer Fires

Has any one had fires recently in their dryers on campus ?

In the last few months we have had 3 industrial dryer fires. These are
associated with the washing and drying of towels that are used for cleaning
the dinning facilities.

These apprear to be accidential in nature. In speaking with collegues at
the Fire Marshals office I have learned that these appear to be common in
grease related washing and drying facilities.

it is our opinion that grease on the towels is not being removed during the
wash cycle.  Since the dryers are industrial in nature and are drying at a
higher temperature we believe a form of spontaneauos combustion is occuring.
I have sent samples to the Fire Marshals arson lab for analysis.

Has any one had this type of problem in the past, if so, please let me know.

Thank you for your time,


-randy-




Randall L. Hormann
Fire/Safety Specialist
Miami University, Ohio

7 Hughes Hall (EHSO)            Chair:   Fire Safety Professionals at Ohio -
Oxford, Ohio 45056                       Colleges and Universities.
Ph:  513-529-2461               Member:  Ohio Fire Chiefs - Code Committee.
Fax: 513-529-2830               Member:  Ohio Fire Officials Association.
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]     Advisor: Alpha Lambda Delta / Phi Eta Sigma.
WWW: http://www.ehs.muohio.edu

"Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes
 he has to eat them"  - Adlai E. Stevenson Jr.