Fire Marshal Urges Caution

With Wood-Burning Heat Sources

By Andrew Gorosko

With the advent of winter weather, Fire Marshal Bill Halstead is reminding residents about the fire safety dangers posed by the use of alternate heating sources that burn wood.

“Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves or coal stoves can provide you with economical heat and a relaxed atmosphere during these cold days. However, when these popular heating devices are not properly maintained, they can be a source of danger and possible disaster resulting in a chimney fire,” he said.

“It has been estimated that less than 20 percent of American homeowners realize the importance of regular chimney maintenance,” he added.

When wood is burned, it emits creosote, tars, and resins. Such by-products of incomplete combustion collect in the heat source’s flue liner, he said. A flue is a tube, pipe, or a shaft that is used for the passage of smoke, hot air, and exhaust fumes in a chimney.

If the accumulated flammable substances are allowed to build up, eventually they will ignite and burn vigorously inside the chimney, according to the fire marshal.

Mr Halstead said that often such a fire will initially go undetected, allowing the fire to spread quickly between the heat source’s firebox and the top of the chimney. If there is a blockage inside the chimney, the fire may spread into the house, he said.

The fire marshal notes that dried creosote ignites at 451 degrees and can burn as hot as 2,100 degrees within a matter of seconds.

To prevent chimney fires from occurring, chimneys should be at least annually inspected and cleaned by professionals who use wire brushes and sophisticated vacuum cleaners in their work, he said.

It is important to regularly check and clean stovepipes and chimneys, he stressed.

When possible, burn seasoned woods. The dryness of the wood is more important than the type of wood that is burned in terms of fire safety. Fires that are smaller and hotter will burn more completely and produce less smoke than larger fires.

Cardboard boxes and trash should not be burned because such combustion can result in a chimney fire, according to the fire marshal.

Mr Halstead suggests that homeowners install stovepipe thermometers that monitor flue temperatures when woodstoves are in use. The temperature readings can provide guidance in wood burning practices.

According to the US Fire Administration (USFA), woodstoves should be positioned at least three feet away from combustible surfaces and have proper floor support and protection. Woodstoves should be of good quality, good construction, and good design and should be endorsed by a nationally recognized testing organization such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Flammable liquids should not be used to start or to accelerate a fire.

A glass or metal screen should be kept in front of fireplace opening to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out and also prevent unwanted materials from going into the fireplace. Also, such devices lessen the possibility of people being burned by the fire, according to USFA.

A woodstove should be burned hot twice a day for 15 to 30 minutes each time to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.

According to USFA, large amounts of paper should not be used to create roaring fires because overbuilt fires can ignite creosote in the chimney.

Charcoal should not be burned indoors because charcoal can emit lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.

Flammable materials should be kept well away from fireplace mantels to avoid igniting those materials.

“Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house,” according to USFA.

“If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire, [and never] use more than one log at a time,” according to USFA.