Spark (combustion)

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Sparks over a charcoal fire
Sparks from an angle grinder

A spark (reconstructed from pre-German * fun-k-ōn , mhd. Vunke "spark, fire") is a glowing particle that arises during combustion processes , friction processes or electrical discharges and moves through a gaseous medium. These tiny particles are then referred to as flying sparks .

description

Emergence

Sparks arise:

  • in the case of open combustion ( fire with flame), if particles are carried away with the rising hot exhaust air
  • when grinding metal, where removed chips are thrown through the air
  • when welding as a splash of liquid metal
  • when freight trains have to brake very sharply

Sparks can either just be extremely hot or still be in the combustion process themselves.

Fire hazard

Sparks can cause a fire or a fire by themselves . The ignition effect depends on the size and shape of the particle, the spark material, the dwell time and other parameters. Particularly common sources of fire are:

  • Overlooked flying sparks during grinding and welding work: The metallic particles are extremely hot and cool down comparatively slowly - if they accumulate in a secluded place, they trigger smoldering fires that can spread to full fire.
  • Flying sparks in large fires. This is favored by thermal factors and wind . In forest fires , embers can fly several kilometers before they fall back to the ground ( fall out ) . Such fire contagion was the reason why entire settlements and cities burned down in times of wood and thatch cover .

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Duden editorial office: Duden - German Universal Dictionary The comprehensive dictionary of meanings in contemporary German . Bibliographisches Institut GmbH, 2016, ISBN 978-3-411-91171-4 , p. 657 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
  2. ↑ Is the train a fire risk? FAZ, August 8, 2018, accessed December 18, 2019 .
  3. ^ Franz-Josef Sehr : The fire extinguishing system in Obertiefenbach from earlier times . In: Yearbook for the Limburg-Weilburg district 1994 . The district committee of the Limburg-Weilburg district, Limburg-Weilburg 1993, p. 151-153 .
  4. ↑ Henrikus Steen: Handbook of explosion protection . John Wiley & Sons, 2012, ISBN 3-527-66086-0 , pp. 128 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
  5. ^ Hans Michael Bock, Ernst Klement: Fire protection practice for architects and engineers, fire protection regulations and current planning examples . Beuth Verlag, 2011, ISBN 978-3-410-21646-9 , pp. 19 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
  6. ↑ Basics of Criminology . 1973, p. 218 ( limited preview in Google Book search).