King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company

King of Prussia, PA

Mulch Fire Awareness

 Hostmaster 911 Hot Designs    July 26, 2015    No Comments

Story Credit: Assistant Chief Disantomulch_2 mulch_1

 

Mulch is widely used in the Pennsylvania landscapes for both aesthetic and functional purposes. Many homeowners and businesses apply mulch in the spring to help slow the loss of soil moisture during the hot summer months, discourage weeds, and maintain a tidy appearance. There are now many mulches on the market made from a wide variety of materials including ground rubber, pine needles, oat straw, shredded hardwood and cypress bark, pine bark nuggets, shredded pine bark, composted leaves, brick chips, ground recycled pallets–dyed mulches wood, and even cocoa shells.

While mulch can be beneficial in landscape applications, it can also pose a fire hazard. Mulch fires are one of the more common calls the fire department answers during the warm months of the year. These fires are usually caused by cigarettes, matches and other smoking materials that are tossed on the ground before people enter a building or into the median from drivers.

Some types of mulch are more easily ignited than others. Typically, mulches that are high in oils such as pine bark and shredded cypress bark, are easiest to ignite. Dyed mulches that are commonly processed from pallets can also readily catch fire. In contrast, cocoa shells, medium pine bark nuggets, and hardwood bark were three organic mulches that were tested in the study and found to be more ignition resistant.

To keep mulch fires out of the landscape

  • Do not discard cigarettes or other smoking materials on the ground, in playground areas, or throw them out of your vehicle.
  • Ensure proper clearance to electrical devices such as decorative lighting by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Maintain a minimum of a six-inch clearance between landscaping mulch beds and other combustible items such as buildings, shrubs, etc.
  • Use non-combustible mulch such as rock or pea gravel around the gas meter and next to combustible portions of a structure.
  • Maintain mulch at a depth of two to four inches to eliminate the chance of spontaneous combustion.
  • Do you have a fire prevention, fire, or life safety question for the fire department? Submit it to info@kpvfc.com

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King of Prussia Vol. Fire Co. added 8 new photos.

3 days ago

King of Prussia Vol. Fire Co.

Another great start to the school day. Today #kpvfc #tower47, accompanied by FOX 29 Philly repoter Jennifer Joyce FOX 29, chauffeured these little guys to Mother Thersa Regional Catholic School. #ouredge #community ... See MoreSee Less

Another great start to the school day. Today #kpvfc #tower47, accompanied by FOX 29 Philly repoter Jennifer Joyce FOX 29, chauffeured these little guys to Mother Thersa Regional Catholic School. #ouredge #communityImage attachmentImage attachment+5Image attachment
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William how cute is this

Thank you for all you do and for your support of the MTC students!!!

Awesome!!!

King of Prussia Vol. Fire Co. added 3 new photos.

1 week ago

King of Prussia Vol. Fire Co.

These cool cats got a sweet ride to school the other morning on #squad47. Their very own #kpvfc Firetruck. They won this exciting start to their day as a prize donated by the King of Prussia Vol. Fire Co. to the ptc of #candlebrook elementary. It benefits the PTC their Spring Fair. We do this just because. Their expressions are enough return. #ouredge. ... See MoreSee Less

These cool cats got a sweet ride to school the other morning on #squad47.  Their very own #kpvfc Firetruck. They won this exciting start to their day as a prize donated by the King of Prussia Vol. Fire Co. to the ptc of #candlebrook elementary. It benefits the PTC their Spring Fair. We do this just because. Their expressions are enough return. #ouredge.Image attachmentImage attachment
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Awesome!!!

Thank you for giving to Candlebrook every year!

King of Prussia Vol. Fire Co. shared Valley Forge National Historical Park's post.

2 weeks ago

King of Prussia Vol. Fire Co.

FYI for our residents and visitorsA 150-acre prescribed fire is currently scheduled to be conducted in the park this Wednesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 12 in the vicinity of PA Route 23 and Gulph Road. More information on why the park is conducting the burn, the list of temporary road/trail closures, a map of the burn plots, and maps of the designated public viewing areas are all available at go.nps.gov/vafofire ... See MoreSee Less

FYI for our residents and visitors
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King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company
170 Allendale Rd
King of Prussia, PA 19406

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