The following tables presents a list of coal seams which have been known to suffer from occurrences of spontaneous combustion and are consequently regarded as at 'high risk' of succumbing to spontaneous combustion when being entered, worked or disturbed.
Coal seams which are excluded from the table should not be regarded as free from risk of spontaneous combustion as the majority of coal seams could suffer from spontaneous combustion depending upon the method of them being entered, worked or disturbed.
Please be aware that some areas may have localised names for these seams.
Coal Seams in England with a History of Spontaneous Combustion
| Seam Location: |
Coal Seam: |
| Cannock |
Bass
Eight Foot
Shallow |
| Cumberland |
Where roof coal is left |
| >Durham (South) |
Maudlin Seam |
| Lancashire |
Where roof coal is left
Higher Florida
Lower Florida
Trencherbone
|
| Leicestershire |
Lount Seam
Excelsior
New Main |
| Derbyshire (North) |
Deep Soft
Top Hard |
| Derbyshire (South) |
Main Coal |
| Northumberland |
High Main
Main |
| Nottinghamshire |
Blackshale
Top Hard
Top Soft
Parkgate
Low Main |
| Staffordshire (North) |
Great Row
Spencroft
Cannel Row
Moss
Cockshead
Ten Feet |
| Staffordshire (South) |
Staffordshire thick coal |
| Warwickshire |
Warwickshire thick coal |
| Yorkshire |
Barnsley
Top Soft
Day Bed
Dunsil
Beeston
Stanley Main
Shafton
High Hazel
Thorncliffe
Parkgate
Silkstone |
Coal Seams in Scotland with a History of Spontaneous Combustion
| Seam Location: |
Coal Seam: |
| Ayrshire |
Big Drum Seam
Coral Seam
Gas Water
Main Coal
Major seam
Patna
Seven Foot Coal
Thick
Wee Drum |
| Scotland (North) |
Dysart Main |
| Scotland (South) |
Stairhead
Corbie
The Kelty Main (Kinrod)
Free Craighead (Quarrelton Thick Coal) |
Coal Seams in Wales with a History of Spontaneous Combustion
| Seam Location: |
Coal Seam: |
| North Wales |
Where roof coal is left |
Coal Seams with High Risk Spontaneous Combustion Based on Cross Over Temperature Values
The following table presents a list of coal seams which laboratory tests indicated were at high or medium risk of spontaneous combustion. The designation of high or moderate risk is based wholly on cross-over temperature (COT) tests*.
It must be emphasised that, unlike the list of seams prone to spontaneous combustion based on mining history (above), this list is largely based on small samples from seams. Where there are multiple samples the number is shown in brackets following the risk level. This second list should therefore be treated as having less weight than the first list, although still having a significant value.
Coal seams which are excluded from the table should not be regarded as free from risk of spontaneous combustion as the majority of coal seams could suffer from spontaneous combustion depending upon the method of them being entered, worked or disturbed.
Coal Seams in England with a High Risk of Spontaneous Combustion Based on Cross Over Temperature Values
| Seam Location: |
Coal Seam: |
Spontaneous Combustion Risk: |
| South Yorkshire |
Two Foot |
High |
| |
Best
Clod
Little Flint
Lower Clunch
Lower New Mine
Randle
Two Foot (Residual Coal)
Upper Clunch |
High
High (3)
High/Medium (3)
High (2)
High/Medium (2)
High (2)
High (2)
High (3) |
* COT tests gradually heat coal in the presence of air until the temperature becomes self sustaining and the lower temperature that this occurs, the greater the risk of spontaneous combustion. Coal samples with COT’s of below 170°C are designated high risk and those up to 200°C medium risk.