In the News
If you search Google for ‘dryer fire business’, you’ll see news stories like these. Last month, in Petaluma, California, a fire that began in a clothes dryer caused $10,000 in damage at a uniform store. In February, a weekend fire that originated in a dryer caused extensive damage to a laundry business in Aberdeen, South Dakota. In 2014, a fire at an Australian day spa started when oily towels left in a hot dryer spontaneously combusted. More than 20 firefighters worked to contain the fire and the damage cost approximately $200,000. Here’s information on the safe storage and disposal of oily rags.

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While on a site visit in downtown Milwaukee, a West Bend loss prevention associate recognized a fire extinguisher in a restaurant kitchen indicating it had been discharged. This was puzzling because the fire extinguisher had been serviced only a few weeks before. After questioning the manager, a startling discovery was made. In a well-intentioned attempt to test the effectiveness of the newly-inspected fire extinguisher, the manager had taken the canister outside and discharged it. It quickly became clear this process was followed for every fire extinguisher within the facility! If a real fire had broken out in the building, there would have been no viable options for containing the flames because all of the extinguishers had been depressurized.

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According to OSHA, since 1980, almost 150 workers have been killed and more than 850 injured due to combustible dust explosions.

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Fire is one of the biggest threats for restaurants and bars.  A recent study, completed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, found that as little as 3% of cooking oil residue left in towels after laundering can spontaneously combust.  Fibers in the towels trap oil and grease over time, creating an opportunity for combustion.  When people think of spontaneous combustion and towels, they usually think of solvent-soaked towels; however, towels soaked with cooking oil – vegetable or animal – present the same risks and potential loss. 

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