Fire Caused by Iron Rust.

Fire Caused by Iron Rust.

A possible cause of fires is suggested by Colonel Angus Croll by the following hypothesis: When oxide of iron is placed in contact with timber, excluded from the atmosphere, and aided by a slightly increased temperature, the oxide parts with its oxygen, and is converted into very finely divided particles of metallic iron, having such an affinity for oxygen that, when afterward exposed to the action of the atmosphere from any cause, oxygen is absorbe d so rapidly that these particles become suddenly red hot, and, if in sufficient quantity, will produce a temperature far beyond the ignitable point of dry timber. Wherever iron pipes are employed for the circulation of any heated medium (whether hot water, hot air or steam), and wherever these pipes are allowed to become ruSty, and are also in close contact with timber, it is only necessary to suppose that under these circumstances the finely divided particles of metallic iron become exposed to the action of the atmosphere (and this may occur from the mere expansion or contraction of the pipes) in order to account for many of the fires which periodically take place at the commencement of the winter season.

A possible cause of fires is suggested by Colonel Angus Croll by the following hypothesis: When oxide of iron is placed in contact with timber, excluded from the atmosphere, and aided by a slightly increased temperature, the oxide parts with its oxygen, and is converted into very finely divided particles of metallic iron, having such an affinity for oxygen that, when afterward exposed to the action of the atmosphere from any cause, oxygen is absorbe d so rapidly that these particles become suddenly red hot, and, if in sufficient quantity, will produce a temperature far beyond the ignitable point of dry timber. Wherever iron pipes are employed for the circulation of any heated medium (whether hot water, hot air or steam), and wherever these pipes are allowed to become ruSty, and are also in close contact with timber, it is only necessary to suppose that under these circumstances the finely divided particles of metallic iron become exposed to the action of the atmosphere (and this may occur from the mere expansion or contraction of the pipes) in order to account for many of the fires which periodically take place at the commencement of the winter season.