The application of thermal analysis in testing the combustibility of timber used in supporting of mine roadways

The paper presents the results of thermal analyses of three samples of wood acquired from props and roof-bars constituting timber lining constructed in the beginning of the 20th century and found in active roadways of one of the USCB coal mines. The results were compared with the results of thermal analyses of samples of timber intended for construction. A derivatograph- A device allowing for the maintenance of identical measurement conditions, was used in the study, which is significant in testing the thermal stability of materials of organic origin. The conducted tests allowed to determine the ignition temperature of both types of timber. The study exhibited that the combustibility of the timber acquired from the old timber lining is comparable to the combustibility of fresh timber, which is significant in terms of the operational safety both in active and historic collieries.