Page 90 - Fire Insurance Ebook IC 57

Fire and Consequential Loss Insurance

combustible but when it comes into contact with other substance
it becomes combustible.
7. Toxicity : Toxic substances must often be classed as hazardous
for they can hamper fire-fighting, and if situated alongside or
above other materials e.g. foodstuffs, there is always the possibility
of contamination.
8. Difficulty of fire extinguishment: The difficulty of extinguishing
a fire has to be taken into account when considering the
classification of goods. In some types of goods like rubber it
takes more effort to extinguish the fire.

Spontaneous combustion :

In some commodity, by reason of its own properties, heat is generated
on its own to bring itself to its ignition point

Spontaneous combustion may occur in these
circumstances:

a. Slow Oxidation : Slow oxidation generates heat, and with the rise
in temperature oxidation is accelerated until ignition point is
reached and the waste catches fire.

b. Absorption of Oxygen from the air by porous substance. A classic
example is coal, softer and newer the coal the greater the absorption
of oxygen and higher the risk of self-heating.

c. Action of bacteria leading to oxidation.

Fire protection system

n When fire is detected in its early stages, trained personnel can
easily extinguish it using first aid appliances.

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