Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
They say a cigarette can't ignite gas - but------ (Original Post) packman Jul 2021 OP
Livin' large. I think that's a doob, though I've never seen one before. marble falls Jul 2021 #1
I never seen a doob with a filter on the end! Worried2020 Jul 2021 #4
Your lucky day: marble falls Jul 2021 #6
Idiot may find out... hlthe2b Jul 2021 #2
It can't. cloudbase Jul 2021 #3
Very popular myth Effete Snob Jul 2021 #5
Flicking on that lighter certainly can though. miyazaki Jul 2021 #7
sure Effete Snob Jul 2021 #8
When I was to young ... TomWilm Jul 2021 #9
 

Effete Snob

(8,387 posts)
5. Very popular myth
Tue Jul 27, 2021, 12:22 PM
Jul 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-013-0380-3

The Propensity of Lit Cigarettes to Ignite Gasoline Vapors


Howard A. Marcus & Justin A. Geiman

Fire Technology volume 50, pages 1391–1412 (2014)


Abstract

Fire investigators regularly evaluate available fuels and potential ignition sources to determine the cause of a fire. This work examined the propensity of lit cigarettes to ignite gasoline vapors, expanding on previous work to include a large number of trials and a wide range of test conditions. Experiments were conducted exposing lit cigarettes, both at idle and under draw, to gasoline vapors in various configurations including pools/pans of gasoline, gasoline on textile substrates (clothing), and sprays of gasoline. Five major brands of commercially-manufactured tobacco cigarettes were tested. The experiments conducted for this study consisted of 70 distinct tests involving a total of 723 cigarettes and over 4,500 instances of exposure of a lit cigarette to ignitable concentrations of gasoline vapor in air. There were no instances of the ignition of gasoline vapors from the exposure of those vapors to a lit tobacco cigarette during any of the experiments.
 

Effete Snob

(8,387 posts)
8. sure
Tue Jul 27, 2021, 05:02 PM
Jul 2021

Taking a drag can increase the temperature too!

I'm not suggesting anyone go out and try it. But it has been attempted under controlled conditions many times, including by Mythbusters, who attempted to recreate the scene in The Birds where a cigar ignites a pool of gasoline.

Personally, I solved this problem by quitting smoking. Which can kill you even without the gasoline.
Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»They say a cigarette can'...