Fire Facts

8/28/2019 (Permalink)

Maritime Code has determined pistachios to be flammable and therefore dangerous to ship.

Discovery Magazine provided an interesting and informative list of fire facts. Whether you are enjoying an evening bonfire or experience and accidental fire, it is important to know your fire facts. 

1. Earth’s air is 21% oxygen and the only known planet where fire can burn. No other planet has enough oxygen to ignite or sustain fire.
2. Oxygen supply influences the color of the flame. Low oxygen fires still containing uncombusted fuel give off a yellow glow, while high-oxygen fires burn blue.
3. Although rare and only in very specific circumstances, spontaneous combustion is real. Some fuel sources can generate their own heat via decomposition or rotting. Pistachios have so much natural oil and are so prone to heat-generating fat decomposition that the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code regards them as dangerous.
4. Haystacks, compost heaps, and even piles of old newspapers and magazines can also burst into flame due to their decomposing.
5. America’s deadliest fire took place April 27, 1865, when the boilers on the steamship Sultana. Among other passengers were 1,500 recently released Union prisoners.

About SERVPRO of Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Southeast
SERVPRO^® of Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Southeast provides 24-hour disaster mitigation service. We specialize in the restoration of homes and businesses suffering losses from fire and smoke, water, flood, wind, and storm damage. Our locally owned and operated 24/7 response team is always just a phone call away. 313-359-3457