The daily star-mirror., 1923-12-13
I1IleT f1elf1M:2
CAUSE BIG Fires
Many Mysterious Forest Bazes
Started in This Way-Fire-
bugs ExOnerated.

WashingtOn.-As a result of investi-
cations the Department of Agriculture
has decided that most mysterious for
est fires which have been attributed
to firebugs were really caused by dust
explosions. 1t is also believed that
these dust explosions cause fires in
great variety of industries.
Goal and grain dusts were long
thought to be the only ones likely to
cause explosions" according to D. >.
Price OF the Agricultural depa rtnaSRt.
and great progress has been made IN
the coal mining, grain hsndinA and
milling industries to reduce the raz
ard, but other Industries are cons snf-
ly being added to the list. Usually, it
seems, 1t is necessary for a dust ex-
plosion to occur before precautions
are taken, and as a result many of
the explosions reported are in indus
tries in which this peculiar hazard
has not been fully recognized.
Most Dust viii Explode.
practically all Industrial plant
dusts, with the exception of such inert
substances as shale and limestone.
Will explode under proper conditions
OF dryness, temperature and mixture
with the air. This means that In the
Omitted States there are approximately
900 plants, manufacturing products
q an annual value Of nearly 5000
200, coo, which are subject to the haz-
lrd unlsAs precautions are taken,
''2nvesfiGntions made by the Depart
4Snt of Agriculture have shown, ex-
3losioos t. have been caused by dusts
Il cork, hard rubber, aluminium. sui
'hur, soap, powdered milk. spices.
COCOA, wood paper and many other
substances. Enormous property dam
lge has been done in manufacturing
'lants and elevators and in not few
many lives have been lost.
I'm one explosion in an industrial
liant 43 persons We're killed, 80 were
INJURED, and the property damage was
{, 100000. Another explosion wrecked |
ne of the most modern plants of its
md in the world, killed all the work.
hen and did property damage in ex-
ess of 100000.
Methods Of Prevention.
The means developed by the gov
luuCDL IuVcSt1&dlOIS IOT the DTcFSu-
on of these explosions consist in
Eliminating sources of ignition, keep
lg the plant as free as possible from
ust accumulatiOns, and in certain in
ustries by the adoption of special |
luipment for dust collecting and for
arrying off charges of static cleo
'icity which otherwise would accu-
ulate and produce sparks.
"In addition to the work done study
e these explosions by the Depart
ent of Agriculture, various orgaHfza-
ons have interested themselves in
'ging the use of methods Of preven-
on. The National Fire Protection
'sociation, through its committee ON
list explosion hazards, has been ac-
We in developing control measures
I'd regulations to be observed in
lmber of Industries, including -four
id feed milling, and sugar, cocoa and
ell pulverizing Measures also are
ing devised for terminal grain eIe-
tors and for various other lines of
1ustry.
1.-The insurance department of the
lamber of Commerce of the United
ates of America, in cooperation a
tn the National Fire Waste council, .
s. published bulletins for the as =
tance of Ere prevention committees
local chambers of commerce. :