An exothermic reaction can be created when heat, cooking fats and other types of oil combine with oxygenating chemicals from stain removing detergent products – and this can cause towels or other cotton items to start smouldering and catch fire.
This typically happens when such textiles are folded after a high heat drying cycle in a tumble dryer. The heat has nowhere to escape, which can result in the items catching fire.
Although these incidents are relatively uncommon, exothermic reactions can pose a significant fire risk, primarily to commercial or business premises such as restaurants, pubs and care homes, as well as hotels and spas.
This can be due to staff carrying out their laundry duties in busy and time-pressured work environments. By allowing sufficient cooling time, and taking more care in the laundry setting, these fires can be prevented and ultimately, people are kept safe.
Businesses should consider taking any relevant and necessary actions to manage and prevent this risk, using the information provided below.
Why cotton and towelling items catch fire
Cotton and towelling items can catch fire more easily than some other fabrics. This can happen not only when it comes into direct contact with a flame but also for other reasons:
- Heat build-up in dryers. When cotton and towelling items get very hot, e.g. during drying in a tumble dryer, they can ignite from the heat alone.
- Oil/emollient contamination. If the fabric is contaminated with certain oils, e.g. cooking or emollients, it becomes even more flammable. The oil can cause a reaction that produces heat and starts a fire.
Be extra cautious with cotton towelling, especially if it’s been in contact with oils and emollients or goes through a high heat drying cycle.
During and after drying
The heat build-up during the drying process can make towels ignite while still in the dryer, whether it’s running or not. Even after you take the towels out, the heat they’ve absorbed might be enough to start a fire.
Always monitor dryers carefully and avoid overheating towels, especially if they may have been exposed to oil or emollients.
After removing towels from the dryer, it’s hard to predict exactly when they might be most at risk of catching fire. On average, the time from removal to ignition and a possible fire up to five hours.
Spread towels out and allow them to cool fully in a well-ventilated area after drying and before folding.
Preventing overheating in the dryer
If the dryer cannot release heat properly – such as when the lint trap is full – towels and cotton items can stay extremely hot, especially if exposed to contaminants such as oils and emollients.
A blocked lint trap prevents hot air from escaping, causing the items to overheat. This trapped heat makes towels or any other items more likely to catch fire.
Quick checklist
- Be aware of contamination from the build-up of oils (cooking) or emollients in the fibres.
- Allow the dryer to finish the cycle and run through the ‘cool-down’ mode.
- Open materials and larger garments out fully, and shake them to expose them to cooler surrounding air.
- Hot, slightly damp materials should be hung up and allowed to cool for at least five minutes before folding.
- The dryer’s lint trap should be emptied frequently.
- Ensure you have sufficient ventilation where the clean items are stored.
- Stay alert, ensure your staff are fully trained and aware of the dangers.
As the enforcing authority, in the event of your commercial premises experiencing a fire, one of our fire safety inspectors may contact you to arrange carrying out a post fire audit. Click here for more information on what to expect from an audit.
Alternatively, you can contact our Business Fire Safety Team – [email protected] and we will be pleased to provide you with advice and guidance.