ABSTRACT
Fire has been a menace throughout the history of civilization, and major cities such as Rome, Chicago, London, and Detroit have at some time burned to the ground. In all industries fire is a concern, and the potential for fire often is increased because particular materials are in use, so that special precautions and understandings are necessary. In order to have a fire, two components are required: fuel and an oxidant. The presence of fuel and oxidant is not sufficient to start combustion. The mixture must be raised to a high enough temperature to start the reaction, usually by a spark or a pilot light flame. An explosion, as opposed to a fire, occurs when the rapid expansion of gases produces high pressures. Fires or explosions may occur when one is deliberately collecting dust, as in a filter or cyclone collector.
