Then when the issue is not addressed, the second chimney fire will utilize the pathway created by the first fire and make nearby flammable materials of the home go up into flames. The heat is often hot enough to even catch the roof or other wood around the chimney on fire even without first damaging the structure. Prefabricated Chimneys — For these factory built, metal chimneys, the structure must pass regulated guidelines and stand up to high temperatures.
This does not mean they are immune to damage from chimney fires though. The metal liner of prefabricated chimneys can collapse or be distorted by high temperatures.
If this happens to this type of chimney, it is very important that the liner is completely replaced before the chimney is used again. Chimney fires are a dangerous problem to experience first hand, but the good news is that they are also entirely preventable.
It is important to always take care to burn only the materials that are meant to be burnt and not use ones that could harm the chimney.
This is crucial to keeping your chimney in a safe and working condition. While using the correct fuel is important, a chimney fire can still occur even with these precautionary measures in place. This is why annual chimney inspections and cleanings are another critical part of home maintenance.
Don't wait until it is too late. Take precautions now to make sure you have a clean, safe chimney system. A clean chimney will not burst into flame, therefore proper care and regular cleanings are necessary to ensure the safety of your family and your home. This chimney has likely experienced a slow-burning chimney fire.
Unfortunately, these slow fires can often only be detected via an internal inspection after the fact. This is an excellent reason to get your chimney inspected annually by a certified chimney sweep! Make sure your chimney is clean every year before you use it, and keep it in good repair! Close search. The method is my favorite. It requires some prep ahead of the call, but it is well worth the work.
Cut a piece of plywood about 4 x 4 feet and mount two handles on the same side about a foot in from two parallel sides in the middle. This method requires a positive-pressure fan to work well. Prior to using the PPV, ensure your team has located the seat of the fire and is not concerned about fire outside the flue or firebox.
Ensure all other openings in the structure have been closed with the exception of the opening the PPV will be using. Place the plywood in front of the firebox and coordinate the start of the PPV fan. Once the PPV fan has been started, slide the plywood to allow for a small opening about 1 foot wide on one side or the other.
Discharge the extinguisher into the opening and let the PPV fan push the extinguishment agent into the flue area. Keep the plywood open for about a minute, close the draft, stop and reassess the fire with a thermal camera. In all cases, confirm the fire has been extinguished by visual, infra-red or thermal camera methods. Some departments use a chimney chain that is dropped from the top of the flue.
This device is used to knock creosote from the walls of the flue onto the bottom of the firebox. It requires personnel to work from the roof and increases the risk associated with the completion of the scenario. Consider working from a platform to increase your safety profile if you must perform this maneuver. The majority of chimney fires will be successfully extinguished using one or more of these methods.
However, there are other methods out there. Commercially produced chimney nozzles provide a low volume water. This also causes an ash and creosote laden water puddle to form on the bottom of the firebox and generally the floor in front of it.
Handlines should be used only as a last resort as they can permanently damage existing masonry or metal flue liners. Maximize your customer service skills by taking using floor runners and fire-retardant salvage covers near the fireplace during salvage and overhaul.
Careful cleanup can earn your department valuable praise from the homeowners. Many fire departments run chimney fires on a regular basis when the weather turns cold. Chimney fires are generally simple to manage if you take the right actions. Be familiar with how your department prefers to have a chimney fire extinguished. And if you have a different method of extinguishing chimney fires, I would love to hear of them. Michael Lee has 25 years experience in pre-hospital paramedic experience and more than 20 years experience in the fire service.
Lee has a master's degree in emergency services management and a bachelor's degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University. Connect with Lee on LinkedIn. Due to the high risks, it is important to have your chimney inspected by a CSIA certified chimney specialist at least once a year and pay attention for signs that your home might have had a chimney fire. In the 11 months between inspections a lot can happen. If you notice any of these indicators, you should reach out to a certified chimney specialist to have your chimney professionally inspected.
A CSIA certified technician, like ours, will use special equipment to get a close look at your chimney to determine the extent of the damage and let you know the best course of action for repairs. Even though the risks are severe, be sure that you only trust the word of a reliable, CSIA certified chimney professional. Check the CSIA website to make sure that the chimney technician you hire is certified and do not agree to repairs without seeing a detailed report that includes photographic or video evidence of the damage.
You can always count on a high level of professionalism and customer care from our CSIA certified team. If you live in Central Connecticut and think your home has had a chimney fire, give us a call at We are here to serve you!
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