Drop clothes are not flame retardant! (Bus Fire)

belfert · June 23, 2009, 11:15:34 AM

Unfortunately, I found out that painter's drop clothes are not flame retardant today.

My friend was welding on the bus and the drop cloth started on fire from the welding sparks. It burned pretty fast, but my friend was able to pull the drop cloth out of the bus. Still, the driver's seat is burned along with the panel behind the driver. The fiberglass console under the driver's side window was also partially burned. Luckily, I think the shift pad is okay.

I am taking a little break right now and calling to see if new seat covers are available for my Bostrom seat.

FloridaCliff · June 23, 2009, 11:36:24 AM

Well, at least your all OK and the damages are to things that can be replaced.

Here's a link to a welding blanket for those who have an interest. Much cheaper than the repairs.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/324896/Steiner_37288_Welding_Blanket

Glad no one was hurt,

Cliff

gumpy · June 23, 2009, 01:01:22 PM

Well that sure would have solved a lot of your problems!

kyle4501 · June 23, 2009, 01:18:14 PM

I learned a long time ago that it is best to have someone on fire watch when welding. A fire extinguisher & a garden hose can come in handy too.

Amazing how fast some stuff burns when you don't want it to. . . .

Jeremy · June 23, 2009, 01:35:20 PM

I had a minor emergency when welding a few weeks ago:- there was a container on the floor in which I had been cleaning brushes, and it still had paint thinners in it. Needless to say a stray spark found it, and I was quickly very glad to be wearing welding gloves as I picked the burning container up and threw it out of the door.

Jeremy

belfert · June 23, 2009, 02:34:05 PM

Quote from: gumpy on June 23, 2009, 01:01:22 PM
Well that sure would have solved a lot of your problems!

I won't tell you what JD had to say when I called him to find out if they could replace the covers on the seat.

belfert · June 23, 2009, 02:49:53 PM

This isn't going to be a real inexpensive repair, but it won't be thousands of dollars either. The good news is nobody was hurt and the damage is relatively easy to fix.

I noticed upon further inspection that the seat belt melted just a little bit along one stretch. It might still be okay, but I'll probably replace it. $160 isn't worth somebody losing their life if it did break in a collision. I suspect new fabric for the seat won't be too expensive as whole seats are only maybe $400.

No pictures yet as my camera battery is charging.