From heat-release rates made in oven heating experiments, kinetic parameters of oxidation of a number of bituminous coals are determined. Calculations are performed to determine the critical ambient temperature for ignition of each coal in a 3 m shipping hold, and rates of heat release at that temperature are calculated for each coal. These are found to be the same for each coal and it is suggested that this can provide a criterion for an alternative approach to assessing self-heating hazards with such materials.