stumped on a question

[parkerx209]

one of the officers on the command staff where i volunteer wanted us to answer some questions... i'm stumped on a few such as...

If a newspaper were crumpled or laying flat and a glowing cigarette were placed upon it, would it ignite?

I was thinking it probably wouldn't because there isn't enough oxygen underneath the paper to keep it burning...

Stumped.

[KenNFD1219]

Good question. Have you tried it for real to see what would happen?

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Good question. Have you tried it for real to see what would happen?

That's the problem nowadays...peole won't do their own work and seek info on the 'net!

[Tann3100]

Sometimes it will sometimes it wont. If its place in middle of the floor usally it will burn itself out. I seen it done with a cigarette held to a match book with a rubberband and it burnt itself out in the middle of the floor on carpet. Now if they do it in a trashcan etc different story.

[parkerx209]

Ha.. don't really feel like finding or purchasing a pack of smokes to try it... no one I know smokes so I was just wondering. I guess I'll try to bum a smoke tomorrow from someone at school.

[nmfire]

well it depends on how the ciggarette is oriented on the paper. I'm not sure what the point of this questions is or why one would even need to contemplate this. Yes it can. It may not, but it can. Duh.

[E229Lt]

If a newspaper were crumpled or laying flat and a glowing cigarette were placed upon it, would it ignite?

Is it possible you should be looking at which is more likely to ignite, crumpled or flat?

[EFD840]

I think I'll really confuse him?

If a newspaper were crumpled or laying flat and a glowing cigarette were placed upon it, would it ignite?

parkerx209, here are some questions for the sake of discussion:

Is is a full paper or only one page?

What are the weather conditions (relative humidity, temp, wind conditions)?

Do you think either of these things matter? Why?

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

parkerx209, here are some questions for the sake of discussion:

Is is a full paper or only one page?

What are the weather conditions (relative humidity, temp, wind conditions)?

Do you think either of these things matter? Why?

Is it inside or outdoors?

Is it on a concrete floor, dirt floor, wood floor, carpeting, table or other kind of furnishing?

[tanker5117]

Is it inside or outdoors?

Is it on a concrete floor, dirt floor, wood floor, carpeting, table or other kind of furnishing?

Is it a Daily newspaper of a Weekly?

[RFDACM02]

It could well be that the Chief is looking for a conclusive "no" answer as some researchers note that a smoldering cigarette only burns at about 400 degrees F on the outside of the tip. The middle of the burning tip can be as high as 580 F in the same research. As others have stated many other conditions can have an effect. Of course you question is slightly confusing as crumpled vs. flat will certainly have a large effect. As well as how many sheets are laying flat or are crumpled. This as the cigarette has to raise the paper surface to its ignition temp while everything below the surface absorbs and disapates the heat.

[superchef]

the fire triangle

Does the paper support Republicans, Independents or Democrats?

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Does the paper support Republicans, Independents or Democrats?

Sherry... you had me rotflmao on that one!

[MalahatTwo7]

Does the paper support Republicans, Independents or Democrats?

In all three cases would there be enough OXYGEN to support combustion? We know they all have enough hot air to blow around, but if the O2 content is not high enough....... no fire.

On a more serious side of the answer, the crumpled paper would likely (given correct atmospheric conditions etc) to ignite faster than a flat piece, same as with a wooden fuel load. Check your IFSTA book, chapter on Fire Behaviour. Something about total surface area.... or something like that.

[nmfire]

If it does catch on fire:

1. Smooth bore or fog nozzle?
2. Red engine or yellow engine?
3. Lights & Siren in POV to respond?