Locomotive Sparks

Abstract

Abstract The annual loss due to fires alleged to have been started by locomotive sparks is stated in the paper to be approximately 12 million dollars. Numerous locomotive and laboratory tests have been made for the purpose of determining the behavior of such spares, and the author presents some of the findings relating to the subject. It is his belief that under the most favorable circumstances it is very unlikely that a spark of sufficient size and temperature ever reaches the ground in a condition that will ignite even the most inflammable material beyond 65 ft. from the center of the track. Further, there is no direct relationship between wind velocity and spark distribution. Other facts which the author sets forth clearly disclose that it is exceedingly difficult to ignite inflammables with spares of the size that pass through the ordinary locomotive netting, even at temperatures far exceeding those at which they escape from the locomotive stack. He also discusses other factors with regard to the distribution of sparks, their behavior under conditions of high temperature, color as a basis for judging the temperature of sparks, fire-weather forecasts, moisture content as a reliable index to a degree of inflammability, etc. He is of the opinion that sufficient data have now been accumulated from which fixed laws relating to the behavior of locomotive sparks may be formulated.