With cooler weather approaching there is nothing more enjoyable than warming yourself in front of a crackling fire. With this in mind, it is important to keep safety in the forefront before burning your wood or gas burning fireplace. Paying attention to a few basic maintenance issues before each heating season, will keep you enjoying your fireplace for many years to come while keeping your family and friends safe and comfortable.
More than one-third of Americans use Fireplaces and other
fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in the home. Of these, appliances
used as primary heating sources account for approximately 36% of residential
home fires in the rural areas alone each year, usually starting in the chimney.
The most common cause of chimney fires is due to a buildup
of creosote (cre·o·sote) in the fireplace chimney. The production of creosote
is a natural occurrence when using a wood burning fireplace or appliance and
builds up inside the chimney
flue over time without regular cleaning. Conditions in your fireplace
system that can promote a quicker buildup of creosote, which include but are
not limited to; Burning unseasoned or wet wood, restricted air flow occurring
from a damper not being fully open or not operating properly or by closing
glass doors while the fireplace is in operation. Creosote, which is black or
brown in appearance, can present itself in a variety of ways, from crusty and
flaky, tar-like or shiny and hardened. With proper and consistent
maintenance, these unsafe situations can be avoided.
To enjoy your Fireplace and keep your family warm and safe
this winter, follow these simple fireplace tips:
Get your Fireplace & Chimney System Inspected and Cleaned Regularly
Royal Edwards, technical director of the Chimney Safety
Institute of America (CSIA) states that this is not a Do It Yourself
project. It is recommended to hire a Certified Chimney Sweep to inspect
and clean your chimney system before each heating season. A professional
chimney sweep is trained to spot inconsistencies that could cause dangerous
chimney conditions.
The sweep will open the damper, check the flue system for
obstructions (i.e. animal or bird nests) and if possible, go to the roof to
check the upper part of the chimney system. The sweep will check for
creosote buildup and other causes of chimney fires such as the deterioration of
the flue
lining which can be either cracks in a clay liner or refractory material,
or the separation or deterioration of a metal flue. After the inspection the sweep will perform a
thorough cleaning and recommend any repairs that might be required.
There are several resources for finding a certified
sweep. In addition to certification, a qualified sweep should have a
contractor’s license and a city license – be sure to get current references and
speak with other customers as references before hiring a sweep.
Burn the Correct Type of Wood
There are several different types of wood that commonly find
their way into wood
burning fireplaces. Soft woods, such as Pine and Fir, tend to spark
excessively which can create a potential fire hazard. Hardwoods, such as
Oak and Cherry, are the best for burning – when properly seasoned (dry) they
burn hotter and minimize smoke and creosote buildup.
Make Smaller Fires
Everyone loves a roaring fire but too large a fire can
present a danger if the logs roll out. To prevent flying sparks from
creating a fire hazard, the use of fireplace screens is recommended.
Remove Ashes Properly
Wait until the coals are completely cool before removing the ashes from your fireplace. Once cool, shovel them into a metal container with a lid (available at local hardware stores) and store the bucket outside on a noncombustible surface. NEVER store on combustible surfaces such as a wood deck or next to wood siding, shingles, etc.
Note: If you have a compost bin, potted plants or a garden,
when completely cooled, you can mix the ashes into the soil to give your plants
a nitrogen boost.
Pay Attention to Local Weather Conditions / Warnings
In certain areas there can be Regulations and Codes in place
for not burning wood during certain timeframes under certain weather
conditions. There are legitimate safety reasons for these warnings and should
be strictly observed.
