An old story discussed on this board in 2011.

"Railroad cars go up in flames" (Shelbyville, TN)


Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI3GA5-bE4M
News story: http://www.t-g.com/story/1795222.html
RYPN: viewtopic.php?f=1&p=168016

So does your small group have some fire prevention practices? Stuff like:

- Have an assigned firewatch with a charged hose during all hot work.
- Keep flammables (gas cans, thinners) locked up after hours.
- Basic training in use of fire extinguishers.

What else?

You raise a very good point. Even though I mostly work alone and so far haven't done much worthwhile, I keep a general purpose fire extinguisher and a first aid kit no further than my toolbox, while trying to make the world a better place, one saddletanker at a time.

- Buildings with sprinklers and smoke detectors linked to a central station.
- Fire hydrant on or adjacent to the property.
- Knox box with keys for access by emergency personnel.

Wesley

All flammable items must be stored in a UL approved storage unit. Rags or other material that are contaminated with flammable liquids should be disposed of properly and should not be stored in any large quantity. Any building that you use or own should be equipped with the best fire detection and suppression system that your organization can afford.

Areas surrounding buildings should be kept free and clear of growth or materials that may act as a fuel for fire. The clear area should be at least 25 feet if possible. This will greatly reduce the threat of brushfire. Vehicles should be equipped with at least one (preferably two) portable fire extinguishers and all fire extinguishers should be inspected daily and serviced periodically. I have two automobile grade extinguishers in the cab of my personal truck. They are mounted to the seat frames and can be removed while seated in the truck. Several years ago, we (Old Pueblo Trolley) lost several vintage transit coaches that were in our collection to a fire at our 18th Street yard. On another occasion, I happened to be at that same yard to pick up material and discovered another brush fire burning along the outside of our fence line. Fortunately, I discovered it just after it had started and the fire department was able to extinguish it quickly.

For organizations, it would not hurt to have an inspector from your local fire department do a walkthrough of your facilities. They know what problems to look for and can tell you the ways to correct the issues.

When I was a kid, a friend's father burned down his piano restoration workshop and business by leaving oily rags in a pile overnight. What kind of oil it was, I don't know, except that it was oil for wood finishing. Self-combustion really happens.

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What else?[/quote]

How 'bout some fact checking -- according to the video these cars were being dismantled and a welder's torch.......

Bob H

Yes, I know. That's why I mentioned having a firewatch with a hose when doing hotwork.

Linseed oil was the traditional wood finishing "oil", and is a naturally polymerizing oil. The polymerization is exothermic, that is, it gives off heat. It's well known that rags soaked with linseed oil, if left in a pile, can reach combustion temperatures.

Most of the modern replacements, polyurethane varnishes and paints, epoxy paints, also polymerize with an exothermic reaction, so pose the same danger.

Rags used to apply these finishes and in clean up need to go in an approved oily rag can, and the can needs to be emptied at the end of the day, every day.

How 'bout some fact checking -- according to the video these cars were being dismantled and a welder's torch.......

Bob H[/quote]

Same thing happened at the Sand Key lighthouse in Florida. Contractor making repairs to the structure left welding supplies stored at the lighthouse improperly. Coast Guard regs now prohibit storage of certain materials on site.

At Wilmington & Western here in Delaware we have our our buildings covered with sprinklers. There are dry systems charged with compressed air that work well in unheated buildings. Don't write fire protection off as too expensive. Anything is doable if you make a plan and work the plan. I hope we never need them.

It's a matter thay always worried me, before they got the system installed at W&W, when considering that every blessed piece of revenue, operating, equipment is stored in that one, long, pole barn, specially following the devistation that the Salem and Hillsborough experienced in 1994....There would be no recovering from a fire of that magnitude for the W&W. I'm glad they spent the money to protect their revenue source, not to mention - the history.

It's an expensive gamble for any operation.

Flood, fire and neglect are the ultimate enemies of preservation. All three must be protected against. Fire is the most damaging of the elements and the most difficult to recover from. The effects of flood or neglect can usually be addressed if done properly.