Re: Batteries and Fire

["nick markowitz" <nick-markowitz@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Julian
I investigate fires as well as install alarms and have seen sevral fires
started by batteries even flash light batteries when you have the right
conditions you will get ignition in fact it is a well known trick by
arsonists to use batteries
to do a time delayed fire.
"Robert L Bass" <robertbass1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:TtmdnYr7KP9XGjjYnZ2dnUVZ_uqvnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Julian,
>
> Try this little experiment:
>
> 1. Wrap a 1' long piece of wire in newsprint, leaving 2" exposed at each
> end.
> 2. Attach the two ends to the electrodes of a 12V 7AH gel cell.
> 3. Run for fire extinguisher.
> 4. Post apology.
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Robert L Bass
>
> =============================>
> Bass Home Electronics
> 941-866-1100
> 4883 Fallcrest Circle
> Sarasota · Florida · 34233
> http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
> =============================>
>
> "Julian" <julian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:qluaq259vl2fsn4p1ckul21fead087cuh0@xxxxxxxxxx
>> So it turns out I didn't need to experiment with batteries to see if
>> they can start a fire. An incompetent shipper from Burtek did me the
>> favour when he  badly packaged a case of batteries. For some stupid
>> reason, they did not come in the orginal cardboard case with the nice
>> cardboard pieces separating the batteries and another nice cardboard
>> piece on top. Instead they were packaged in a makeshift box and at
>> some time were jostled about and two of the batteries touched
>> terminals. The little plastic protectors came off and the batteries
>> shorted together. But no fire. Scorching, yes, but no fire. The
>> terminals of the batteries fried off. Nothing there but little nubs.
>> It's likely that there wasn't enough oxygen to keep the fire going.
>> Now had someone added an accelerant, that would be a different story.
>>
>> So there you go Robert. Is fire possible if you toss the battery in
>> the garbage without taping the terminals...... yes, but not PROBABLE.
>> If two new batteries touching terminals doesn't start a fire inside a
>> cardboard box stuffed with paper, it's highly doubtful a dead battery
>> tossed into a residential garage will.
>>
>>
>> Julian
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>