NCJ Number
88135
Date Published
1983
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A knowledge of prolytic mechanisms is basic to the understanding of fires, because pyrolysis is one of the most fundamental accompaniments of all fires and a contributing cause of many.
Abstract
It is especially significant in its role in spreading fire and is a major contributor to the ignition of fires as well. Pyrolysis is the slowest rate of oxidation which can take place and cause a fire and consists of the destruction of wood through the application of heat in the presence or absence of oxygen. The absence of oxygen results in charcoal, while the presence of oxygen results in pyrophoric carbon. Pyrophoric carbon results from the application of a low heat source to a combustible material. From 10 to 15 years can elapse before the ignition temperature of the material is lowered to the point where spontaneous combustion occurs. Although fire investigators do not need to understand the exact mechanism of heat decomposition or the products of the process, they should understand the general facts of heat decomposition. A detailed explanation of pyrolysis and five references are provided.