Aluminium chips and fire hazard...?

[A_Camera]

I just bought a Bosch GTS 10 J mainly for sawing aluminium and plastics. I read the manual today and regarding aluminium it says:

To avoid the danger of fire when sawing aluminium, empty the sawdust ejector and do not work with dust/chip extraction.

I checked and double checked in several languages and the same warning is there in every language I understand (seven in total) and that got me thinking... I have been cutting aluminium with saws for a long time now and also milling aluminium (dry milling) and always used dust extraction during milling or sawing. At the same time, I know that every fine powder and very small particles can cause fire or explosion and I also know that aluminium oxide is one of the ingredients of fire works, but still... I have never seen that warning before.

So what do you think? Am I taking a risk if I continue as before, or should I stop using the vac? I don't weld or keep any open fire in the same room, not generating any dust to speak about so the probability of fire due to fine dust is between zero and very low according to me, but am I too optimistic? How do other people think regarding this thing? I would like to know your opinion.

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[Kenny Duval]

They are working under the assumption that you aren't just cutting aluminum perhaps. They are worried about hot aluminum chips setting saw dust on fire is the intention.

[Jim Dawson]

While aluminum will burn as will most reactive metals, it is very hard to ignite in air unless you are talking about fine aluminum powder. Normal chips generated by machining operations are pretty safe. When mixed with iron oxide, and ignited using magnesium, does burn very hot, around 5000F I think.

Aluminum oxide is completely inert, used for sand paper and grinding wheels. Nitrated aluminum powder is used in fireworks and is explosive.

In my shop, I'm pretty comfortable using a shop vac to clean up. Been doing it for years.

[A_Camera]

Thank you for your replies. I also think that the risks for fire are very little, so I will continue as before. I was just a bit surprised about the warning. Anyway, the saw is just been delivered two minutes ago... so it's unpacking and playing time with my new toy.