Citation

Wharton RK. Fire Safety J. 1992; 18(1): 35-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The damage survey after the fire at King's Cross Underground Station found a layer of grease and debris on the running track below the undamaged section of escalator No. 4. The ignition characteristics of this layer were important in relation to the role it may have played in the incident.This paper summarises tests done with a range of ignition sources on new grease and samples removed from escalator No. 4. Work with new greases mixed with fluff or inert fibrous material established that the presence of these additional components greatly enhances the ignitability of the grease by acting as a wick.

The greases could be ignited by a flaming match, but not by a glowing cigarette. However, cigarettes initiated smouldering combustion in the types of dust layers found beneath the escalator.