The traditional identification of spontaneous combustion hazard of coal in China is unilateral and inaccurate, which is singly attributed to the properties of coal. Based on current research findings on coal fires, we've reconsidered the influential factors that lead to the spontaneous combustion of coal seams, and have ultimately built a comprehensive system for evaluating the hazard of spontaneous combustion. Applying holistic scoring method and Analytic Hierarchy Process, we integrated all of the factors into a quantitative model, and classified the ratings into five levels. Additionally, a Visual Basic 6.0 based application program has been developed to assist the evaluation, as well as three domestic colliery cases with varying fire hazards have been tested. Through practical application, the hazard evaluations have proved to be objective and valid, so the system is applicable to Chinese coal mines. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.