Fire Prevention Month

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

An oily rag self combusted, causing this garage fire.

October is Fire Prevention Month, so it's a good time to think about fire safety where collector cars, motorcycles and boats are stored. Gasoline, oil, paints and solvents are just some of the flammable materials found in a typical garage. 

Flammable Materials

Starting fluid, gasoline cans and other flammables should be kept in a special purpose cabinet for flammable materials. They should also be kept away from electrical cords, outlets and work benches where torches and grinders are used. The area around a bench grinder should be kept clear of anything flammable. The heat from the electricity can ignite the flammable materials. Oily rags are another dangerous item often left lying around shop and garage spaces. A tiny spark can set one smoldering, which can quickly lead to a fire. Special cans designed to protect oily rags from sparks and starve them of oxygen should they spontaneously combust are a piece of gear most people can afford.

 Electrical devices

As we all know, electricity causes sparks, and sparks cause fires. Worm advises using smart battery tenders that shut off automatically when a battery is full, thereby avoiding an overheated battery and the potential for a fire. He also recommends disconnecting the battery on a car that's going to be sitting for a while. Dormant cars are prone to rodent damage, which can cause electrical shorts, sparks and fire. Also, it's a good idea to unplug tools, heaters and other electrical devices when they're not in use.

 Fire extinguisher

In a small garage or workshop, The Cambridge Fire Department recommends keeping a fire extinguisher near the work bench, and one near the exit. The proper way to use an extinguisher is to aim at the base of the fire, sweeping from side to side until the fire is out or the extinguisher is spent. The Internet is full of videos depicting correct fire extinguisher use.

 Heaters

Now that winter is coming, many enthusiasts will want heat in the garage. Propane heaters, which are designed to be used outside, should not be operated in an enclosed space.

Homeowners should think about the way cars are stored in a garage that contains more than one. Are they easy to get out? If there's a fire, more cars will be saved from the blaze if they're easy to remove from the structure.

If you do have a fire, please call SERVPRO of Cambridge/Belmont (617 864-7378) to assist you!