What does spontaneous heating refer to?

Spontaneous heating refers to the phenomenon where materials ignite without the involvement of an external heat source. This can occur due to a variety of processes, such as the biological breakdown of organic materials, chemical reactions within certain substances, or the accumulation of heat generated from aerobic microbial activity.

In practical terms, spontaneous heating is particularly relevant in contexts like composting, where wet organic matter generates heat over time, or in situations involving certain industrial materials that can oxidize and release heat. This process can lead to the material reaching its ignition temperature and catching fire, which underscores the importance of managing storage conditions for such materials to prevent unintended fires. Understanding this concept is crucial for fire safety, particularly in environments where potentially reactive materials are present.