Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

Details have been collected of all fires attributed to friction sparks which were attended by public Fire Brigades within the period 1st October, 1955, to 30th September, 1956; the monthly rate of incidence appeared to vary through the year. The materials first ignited by the friction sparks were usually solids, particularly textiles, and the sources of the sparks were usually some form of powered machinery. Very few fires were attributed to non-powered hand tools.