Fire hazard from polyurethane foam – safety warning

Safety and health warning

Fire hazard from polyurethane foam

On June 27, 2024, a fire broke out in an underground coal mine after a large amount of polyurethane foam was injected into a void. This is the fourth uncontrolled heat event in four years attributed to the application of polyurethane foam. Polyurethane-based foam products generate heat through an exothermic chemical reaction. Injecting large amounts of polyurethane to fill voids can cause underground mine fires.