Clear cases, case windows - fire hazards?

  • Thread starter Thread starter larrymoencurly
  • Start date Start date
Strontium said:
<snip crossposting>

I see the term 'TV" splattered, everywhere. Don't, however, see any
reference to computer cases. That article, also, seems to be dated to about
5yrs ago.
Click to expand...

Right. The question was asked, but not answered yet. I don't know the
answer, myself.
 
Adam said:
(e-mail address removed) (larrymoencurly) wrote in


The article doesn't stay anything remotelly related to clear cases.
Click to expand...

Right. The question remains unanswered. Anybody out there know the
answer?
 
ToolPackinMama said:
Right. The question remains unanswered. Anybody out there know the
answer?
Click to expand...

Is the question whether or not clear cases are somehow more prone to fire
than regular plastic cases?
 
Right. The question remains unanswered. Anybody out there know the
answer?
Click to expand...

Yes, the window on a case may burn if you set a fire pellet, burning
candle or gas against it. The user probably would too.

As for random mishaps from *computer* parts igniting one, pretty
unlikely though someone, somewhere, will find a way... they always do.


Dave
 
I see the term 'TV" splattered, everywhere. Don't, however,
see any reference to computer cases. That article, also,
seems to be dated to about 5yrs ago.
Click to expand...

TVs are regulated for fire safety, but computers are not, and TVs are
the closest things I could to computers on this topic.

How outdated is the information in the link? What improvements have
been made since then, if any? I assume that you're familiar with this
field because of what you've written.
 
Adam Leinss said:
The article doesn't stay anything remotelly related to clear cases.
Click to expand...

I couldn't find anything about computer cases, but TVs are the
electrical devices most similar to them with any fire information
about them.

How different are the potential sources of ignition in a computer
verses a TV? I realize that computer power supplies are enclosed in
metal (unless modified for cosmetic purposes), but the voltage
regulators on the motherboard are not, and some of them handle 50-100
watts, or approximately as much power as a TV of the same volume.
Also the CPU, unless it's an Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Opteron, could
start a fire if the heatink popped off, as it's been known to do with
some Athlons.
 
jeffc said:
You seem to be implying there's something different about clear
plastic cases and windows as opposed to opaque plastic cases and
windows. (OK, not opaque windows.)
Click to expand...

I actually hadn't even thought that transparency and fire hazard were
related, and Apple makes computers with transparent cases that are
supposedly very fire resistant -- even their PR mentioned a silicone
additive put into the plastic for this. But I have doubts about case
makers taking the same precautions, and one company, www.clearpc.com,
warns against using their cases unattended or for anything but
demonstration purposes, although they didn't explicitly mention fire
risk.
 
Yes, the window on a case may burn if you set a fire pellet, burning
candle or gas against it. The user probably would too.
Click to expand...

If those fire tests aren't valid, which ones are?
As for random mishaps from *computer* parts igniting one, pretty
unlikely though someone, somewhere, will find a way... they always do.
Click to expand...

Have you seen just how cheaply some power supplies are? Or what about
the heavy copper heatsinks some people have on their Athlons, held in
place by just plastic clips that are known for cracking if the
computer is set down hard when moved? Then there are those faulty
Taiwan electrolytic capacitors that can make the transistors driving
them burn out.

The only reason I bought a case with a window in it was because it was
$10 after rebate, but I put in a panel of solid aluminum.
 
-
larrymoencurly stood up at show-n-tell, in
(e-mail address removed), and said:
TVs are regulated for fire safety, but computers are not, and TVs are
the closest things I could to computers on this topic.

How outdated is the information in the link? What improvements have
been made since then, if any? I assume that you're familiar with this
field because of what you've written.
Click to expand...

Well, to be blunt, my father was a TV repair man (laugh, if you will).
However, computer cases do not house huge CRT's. I would suspect that the
source of TV fires, is due to that difference.

PS - I've seen what a processor can do, with no heatsink. I doubt, very
seriously, that computer cases need to be regulated for fire hazard. The
PSU? Yes. The case? No.
 
If those fire tests aren't valid, which ones are?
Click to expand...


I'd consider tests that simulate the real potential each device has..
in other words, in a TV you have exposed high-voltage, but in a
computer that's all contained within a metal power supply. I don't
think a fire starting in a power supply is any more likely to catch
the side on fire than something behind or set on top of the system...
possible yes, probable, no. If fire hazard were THAT significant,
we'd remove all paper goods from our houses?
Have you seen just how cheaply some power supplies are?
Click to expand...

Sure, and how much combustable material is inside? Enough for a
significantly volatile fire? If we're going to get paranoid about
every time plastics come near electricity we have a big problem far
beyond clear computer case panels that are much further away from the
power supply internals than in most other devices.

The solution to a cheap power supply (that you suggest is more likely
to catch fire) would be getting a better power supply, not moving
anything that might burn, far away from the computer.

The monitor is more likey to burn, I'd focus on that a lot sooner than
PC side-panels.
Or what about
the heavy copper heatsinks some people have on their Athlons, held in
place by just plastic clips that are known for cracking if the
computer is set down hard when moved?
Click to expand...

You've seen one burn because of that?
Is this just a "lets be paranoid" thread and today computers were
randomly selected?

I suggest not setting a fragile piece of equipment down hard.

Then there are those faulty
Taiwan electrolytic capacitors that can make the transistors driving
them burn out.
Click to expand...

Is it related to clear side-panels?
I've seen power supplies they exploded in... makes a mess, but there
was no fire.
The only reason I bought a case with a window in it was because it was
$10 after rebate, but I put in a panel of solid aluminum.
Click to expand...

I suppose you had reason to do this, like having previous computer
case fires where it is evident a solid side-panel prevented spread of
that fire?

This time of year the better saftey message would be "watch those
candles".


Dave
 
larrymoencurly said:
I actually hadn't even thought that transparency and fire hazard were
related, and Apple makes computers with transparent cases that are
supposedly very fire resistant -- even their PR mentioned a silicone
additive put into the plastic for this. But I have doubts about case
makers taking the same precautions, and one company, www.clearpc.com,
warns against using their cases unattended or for anything but
demonstration purposes, although they didn't explicitly mention fire
risk.
Click to expand...

*That* doesn't sound good. Perhaps it's acrylic, specifically?
 
I see the term 'TV" splattered, everywhere. Don't, however,
see any reference to computer cases. That article, also,
seems to be dated to about 5yrs ago.

Well, to be blunt, my father was a TV repair man
However, computer cases do not house huge CRT's. I would suspect that
the source of TV fires, is due to that difference.
Click to expand...

What percentage of TV fires have been caused by the CRT? Because
other than the stuff plugged into the back of the CRT, are there any
significant fire hazards with them? Don't TVs usually catch fire in
other parts, like the power supply and horizontal sweep? Also TVs are
designed to stay cool enough without fans, unlike computers.
I've seen what a processor can do, with no heatsink. I doubt, very
seriously, that computer cases need to be regulated for fire hazard.
The PSU? Yes. The case? No.
Click to expand...

Why not the case? Motherboards have essentially a couple of power
supplies on them, and they sometimes work at higher current than the
main PSU. Isn't high current more likely to start fires caused by
arcing or overheating of wires?
 
I'd consider tests that simulate the real potential each device has.
in other words, in a TV you have exposed high-voltage, but in a
computer that's all contained within a metal power supply. I don't
think a fire starting in a power supply is any more likely to catch
the side on fire than something behind or set on top of the system...
possible yes, probable, no. If fire hazard were THAT significant,
we'd remove all paper goods from our houses?
Click to expand...

Why do you assume that electrical fires need high voltage? High
currents are more likely to start and sustain arcs and melt wires.
If we're going to get paranoid about every time plastics come near
electricity we have a big problem far beyond clear computer case
panels that are much further away from the power supply internals
than in most other devices.
Click to expand...

The PSU is in a metal box, but it carries current outside, where it's
converted to higher current for the CPU and maybe the AGP card, and
those parts aren't shielded against the window or case.
You've seen one burn because of that?
Click to expand...

I've never even seen an installed copper heatsink.
Is this just a "lets be paranoid" thread and today computers were
randomly selected?
Click to expand...

I'm not a lawyer and have never even been a plaintiff.
Is it related to clear side-panels?
Click to expand...

I mentioned transistors burning out from them.
I've seen power supplies they exploded in... makes a mess, but there
was no fire.
Click to expand...

What kind of enclosures were they in?
I suppose you had reason to do this, like having previous computer
case fires where it is evident a solid side-panel prevented spread of
that fire?
Click to expand...

If a hazard can be prevented cheaply and simply, why not prevent it?
This time of year the better safety message would be "watch those
candles".
Click to expand...

What kind of idiots allow lit candles in their house, except in a
blackout?
 
jeffc said:
*That* doesn't sound good. Perhaps it's acrylic, specifically?
Click to expand...

I've heard that almost any plastic with a fairly low melting point can
easily burn like crazy, unless made with certain chemical additives.
I have a sheet of polycarbonate, a plastic that can be used in ovens
up to about 400F, but it has warnings all over saying that even though
it's the least combustible glazing plastic it will ignite if exposed
to sources of heat above 800F.
 
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