The aim of this study is to propose an experimental methodology to detect incipient self-ignition processes in solid fuels. This methodology is based on the gases emissions of different solid fuels, varying the degree of compaction and the grain size of the materials. To achieve this goal, a procedure for the collection and analysis of the gases emitted by samples of various fuels has been developed, analysing the temperatures at which these emissions begin. The results obtained for different materials show that it is possible to detect incipient spontaneous combustion processes using measurements of CO and CO2 emissions during heating process, and then to set alarm thresholds based on the concentrations of these gases. Those results have been compared with results from conventional thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry tests and it is shown that the proposed methodology detect the self-ignition process start point in advance. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.