How Poor Towel Management Can Cause Fires in Restaurants
Your business is at risk. And the culprit? An unlikely, seemingly harmless item in your supply room: towels and rags. We are talking about spontaneous combustion incidents involving poor towel management and it is more common than you think. It causes damages and losses to businesses and households across the country. Don’t be its next victim. Knowledge and preparation are key. We have helpful information on how towels cause fires and tips on how you can prevent them.
The Facts About Spontaneous Combustion
Spontaneous combustion occurs when something flammable is exposed to external heat and comes into contact with oxygen in the air. It creates a chemical reaction known more commonly as oxidation. This is the exact occurrence that creates random forest fires or compost haze – when combustible materials like dried leaves seemingly ignite themselves. When there is enough heat (i.e. summer temperatures) and zero deterrents (i.e. moisture) to lower the temperature, the internal temperature of the combustible material rises and causes a fire. It’s the basic principle of fuel (combustible material) + oxygen + heat = fire.
How Does this Happen?
For spontaneous combustion to occur on towels and rags, you need the exact same formula mentioned above. This is the reason why these types of incidents commonly happen on kitchen towels used for cooking. Cooking oil exposure and hot environments like dryers cause fires like in this deli in Wisconsin in 2019. The hot air inside the dryers has raised the internal temperature of the traces of oil soaked in the tea towels and caused them to combust.
Poor storage can also contribute to raising the risks of the spontaneous combustion of towels. All it takes, after all, is a little heat and exposure to oxygen to create the right environment for fire. A tightly-packed cupboard or cabinet packed with oily towels can easily be that environment.
Businesses at Risk
Unfortunately, these exact combination of greasy towels or rags are commonplace in a range of business spaces:
- Food processing plants
- Restaurants
- Massage spas
- Hair salons
- Factories
- Auto repair shops
- Hotels
- Laundromats
How to Prevent Spontaneous Combustion
You can prevent the spontaneous combustion of towels in your business! Here are some tips:
- Handle oily towels properly. Greasy towels should be soaked in water after use to prevent oxidation from occurring.
- Dispose of oily rags in airtight containers. Oily rags that need to be thrown away should be kept in approved airtight containers to also prevent contact with oxygen in the air.
- Launder with the right detergent. Make sure to use the right detergent and employ proper washing procedures to completely rid towels of any trace of grease.
- Dry at appropriate temperatures and times. Too much heat can cause even the slightest amount of fuel in your towels to ignite so dry these delicate materials at lower temperatures and for shorter periods to prevent spontaneous combustion.
Work with a Laundry Expert Like Republic Master Chefs
The safest way to protect your livelihood from poor towel management and spontaneous combustion is with help from a laundry expert like Republic Master Chefs! We have the expertise and the facilities needed to clean, handle, and store greased towels safely. Contact us today at 1-800-640-2433 to get the safest, cleanest towels for your business.
