WILLIAMSTON – Two people escaped a chimney fire unharmed early this morning after smoke detectors woke them up, fire officials said.
The 12:45 a.m. fire on Shaftsburg Road between Epley and Wilgus roads occurred after the residents went to bed with a fire in their living room fireplace, Williamston Fire Chief Bill Siegel said.
The residents stayed with family overnight, Siegel said. Their dog and two cats also escaped safely, Siegel said.
Siegel said the fire created $50,000 to $65,000 worth of damage to the living room.
The Leroy and Woodhull townships and Dansville and Laingsburg fire departments also responded to the scene.
A flue lining in a masonry chimney is defined as "A clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion." Although building codes vary from one state or locality to another, the installation of flue lining has been recommended since the early part of this century, and indeed most fire codes now mandate liners.
In the 1940's and again in the 1980's, masonry chimneys were tested by the National Bureau or Standards for durability due to rising concerns about their performance and safety. The tests revealed that unlined chimneys were so unsafe that researchers characterized building a chimney without a liner as "little less than criminal".
Liners in chimneys serve three main functions:
1) The liner protects the house from heat transfer to combustibles. In the NBS tests, unlined chimneys allowed heat to move through the chimney so rapidly that the adjacent woodwork caught fire in only 3 1/2 hours.
2) Liners protect the masonry from the corrosive by products of combustion. In the tests it was determined that if the flue gases were allowed to penetrate to the brick and mortar, the result would be a reduction in the usable life of the chimney. The flue gases are acidic in nature and literally eat away at the mortar joints from inside the chimney. As the mortar joints erode, heat transfers more rapidly to the nearby combustibles and dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide can leak into the living areas of the home.
3) Liners provide a correctly sized flue for optimum efficiency of appliances. Modern wood stoves and gas or oil furnaces require a correctly sized flue to perform properly. The chimney is responsible for not only allowing the products of combustion a passage out of the house, but the draft generated by the chimney also supplies the combustion air to the appliance. An incorrectly sized liner can lead to excessive creosote buildup in woodburning stoves, and the production of carbon monoxide with conventional fuels.
Types of chimney liners
Chimney liners come in three main types: Clay Tiles, Metal, and Cast-in-place
1) Clay tiles are the most common type of masonry chimney liners. They are inexpensive, readily available, and perform quite well for open fireplace chimneys that are properly maintained. There are two disadvantages to clay tiles. The first is that, being a ceramic product, they cannot rapidly absorb and evenly distribute heat during the rapid temperature rise that occurs during a chimney fire. This uneven heating produces an unequal expansion which in turn causes the flue tiles to crack and split apart. This is similar to immersing a cold drinking glass in very hot water. It will instantly shatter. A chimney with cracked chimney liners must be repaired before use. The second disadvantage is that tiles cannot adequately contain the liquid combustion byproducts produced by modern gas appliances.
2) Metal chimney liners, usually of stainless steel or aluminum, are primarily used to upgrade and repair existing chimneys. These liner systems are U.L. tested and listed, and if properly installed and maintained are extremely safe and durable. Stainless steel is suitable for woodburning, gas, or oil applications, while the aluminum is an inexpensive alternative for certain medium efficiency gas applications only. It is usually required that high temperature insulation be used in conjunction with the liners for safety and performance considerations.
3) Cast-in-place chimney liners are lightweight, castable, cement like products that are installed inside
the chimney forming a smooth, seamless, insulated passageway for the flue gasses. They can improve the structural integrity of aging chimneys, and are permanent liners suitable for all fuels.
Considering the dangers of old unlined or damaged chimneys, and the many cost effective options now available to make these chimneys safe components of the home heating system, may we suggest you have your chimney professionally inspected to be sure it meets modern safety standards.
- See more at: http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/about_chimney_liners.aspx#sthash.QddOmM6h.dpuf
If you are considering buying a portable kerosene heater, be sure to check with your local building department first to find out if it is legal in your community. Never use gasoline or any other substitute fuel in a portable kerosene heater, the wrong fuel could burn hotter than the equipment's design limits and cause a serious fire.
If your home has a working fireplace or wood stove, prior to the start of every heating season your chimney should be inspected by a professional for proper installation, cracks, blockages, leaks, or creosote build up. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if not removed through cleaning. With this in mind, have the chimney cleaned if necessary and always be sure to open the flue for adequate ventilation when using the fireplace. Furthermore, protect your home and your family by using a sturdy fireplace screen when burning fires, and remember to burn only wood. Never burn paper or pine boughs, because those embers can float out the chimney and ignite your roof or a neighboring home.
Note: Always install and maintain all heating devices according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Vents and Chimneys
ALL FUELED HEATERS must be vented to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide build-up in your home. Creosote and carbon deposits, caused by inefficient combustion in fireplaces and wood stoves, can coat chimney flues and pose a fire hazard. Have your chimney inspected by a professional before each heating season and have it cleaned, if necessary. Unusually high concentrations of chimney deposits could mean your fireplace or wood stove is not burning efficiently and should be inspected for safety. If you use a wood stove, have the flues and chimney connections inspected and cleaned regularly. Consider installing a spark arrester on top of any chimney that vents a solid-fuel stove or fireplace.
Give Space Heaters Space
KEEP ALL COMBUSTIBLE materials away from portable and space heaters. Place all space heaters at least three feet (one meter) away from furniture, walls, curtains, or anything else that burns. Turn off space heaters when you leave home or go to bed.
Liquid Fuel Safety
IF YOUR SPACE HEATER BURNS A LIQUID FUEL, such as kerosene, let the heater cool down before refueling it. Adding fuel to a hot heater can cause the fumes to ignite. Refuel your heaters outdoors where spills won't present a fire hazard and in a well-ventilated area away from structures. Use only the fuel recommended by your heater's manufacturer. Never use substitutes or a lower grade fuel. Never put gasoline in any space heater.
Gas Fueled Heaters
CHECK VENTS PERIODICALLY to make sure they are not blocked. Never install unvented gas heaters in bedrooms or bathrooms. Carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels in any small, enclosed space.
Wood or Coal Stoves
PLACE AN APPROVED stove board under wood or coal stoves to protect the floor from heat and stray embers.
Electric Heaters
INSPECT ELECTRIC HEATER cords for cracks or other damage and have an electrician replace frayed, cracked, or damaged cords. If the cord overheats while the unit is in use, have the heater inspected and serviced.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
Smoke Detectors Give Early Warnings
Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, and outside every sleeping area. (If you sleep with the door closed, install one inside the sleeping area as well.) Test your detectors at least once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
Smoke Detectors Do Not Last Forever; If a Detector is 10 Years Old, Replace It
Escape Plans Save Lives
Every household should have an escape plan. Draw a floor plan of your home and make sure every member of your household knows at least two ways out of each room. Decide on a meeting place outside where all household members will meet after they escape the building in the event of fire. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Crawl Low Under Smoke
If you encounter smoke while escaping a burning building, use an alternate exit. Smoke and toxic fumes rise with heat, so the air will be cleaner near the floor. If you must exit through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) above the floor.
Get Out and Stay Out
Once you have a left a burning building, do not go back inside for any reason. Call the fire department from a neighbor's phone or an alarm box. If someone is trapped inside the building, tell the firefighters.
PREVENTING HEATING EQUIPMENT FIRES
When purchasing new heating equipment, be sure to select products that have been tested and approved by an independent testing laboratory. Install and maintain heating equipment correctly, and be sure it complies with local fire and building codes. Here are more tips to remember:
WHEN YOU USE your fireplace, protect your home from sparks by using a fire screen made of sturdy metal or heat-tempered glass. Burn only seasoned wood - never rubbish - in your fireplace. Be sure that dampers are in working order and never leave fires unattended - especially in an area used by children or pets.
Wood Stoves
Be sure that your wood or coal stove bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory and meets local fire codes. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for proper installation, use, and maintenance. Chimney connections and chimney flues should be inspected at the beginning of each heating season and cleaned periodically. Follow the same safety rules for wood stoves as you would for space heaters. Burn only wood, and be sure the wood stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and hot coals. Check with your local fire department and local code officials before having your wood stove installed.
Portables and Other Space Heaters
Portables and space heaters can be either electric or fueled by gas, liquid fuel (kerosene), or solid fuel (wood or coal). All types must be placed at least 36 inches (1 meter) away from anything that can burn, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep. Do not leave children or pets unattended with space heaters, and be sure everyone understands that drying clothing or placing combustibles over heaters is a fire hazard. If you have an electric space heater, check each season for fraying or splitting wires and overheating. Have all problems repaired by a professional before operating the space heater.
Portable Kerosene Heaters
If you have a liquid-fueled space heater, use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Never use gasoline or any other substitute fuel, because the wrong fuel could burn hotter than the equipment's design limits. When refueling, always turn off the heater and let it cool down before adding fuel. Wipe up any spills promptly. If you are considering a kerosene heater, be sure to check with your local fire department before purchasing to find out if it is legal in your community. Store the kerosene away from heat or open flame in a container approved by the local fire department, and be sure it is clearly marked with the fuel name.
Fireplaces
WHEN YOU USE your fireplace, protect your home from sparks by using a fire screen made of sturdy metal or heat-tempered glass. Be sure that dampers are in working order and never leave fires unattended - especially in an area used by children or pets. Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season and cleaned if necessary. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if not properly cleaned. Always protect your home and your family by using a sturdy screen when burning fires. Remember to burn only seasoned wood in your fireplace - never rubbish, paper or pine boughs - which can float out the chimney and ignite your roof or a neighboring home. Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace. If you are purchasing a factory-built fireplace, select one listed by a testing laboratory, and have it installed according to local codes.
Note: Always install and maintain all heating devices according to the manufacturer's instructions.
1/10/2002 CHECKLIST FOR SAFE HEATING
Following is a checklist for homeowners to reduce their risk of fire in the home. Cut out the list and post it on your refrigerator as a handy reminder!
DO YOU:
Have your fireplace or wood stove chimney and chimney connectors inspected at the start of the heating season and cleaned, if necessary?
Move anything that can burn (i.e., furniture, bedding, clothing, pets, people) at least three feet (one meter) from your heater, fireplace or wood stove?
Turn off your portable or space heater before leaving the room?
Keep your children and pets safely away from your portable or space heater?
Read the manufacturer's instructions before operating your heater?
Check your electric space heater for fraying or splitting wires, or overheating, and have all problems repaired by a professional before operating the heater?
Safely vent fueled heaters, such as portable kerosene and gas-fueled space heaters, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?
Turn off your portable kerosene heater and allow it to cool down before refueling, and wipe all spills promptly during refueling?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to refuel your kerosene heater?
Select new heating equipment that bears the mark of an independent testing laboratory?
Ensure your heating equipment complies with local fire and building codes (i.e., is your wood stove sitting on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and coals)?
5 major tips on maintaining your Fireplace during the holiday Season
5 major tips on maintaining your Fireplace during the holiday Season
Nothing says christmas like curling up in front of a toasty fire with a mug of cider or hot chocolate, and opening presents. Wood burning fireplaces remain a popular way to heat your home and add ambiance on a cold winter night. But no one likes a smoky room, piles of ash, or the chance of a house fire. Use proper care to keep your fireplace burning cleanly all winter long.
The basic idea of fireplace care is to keep the fireplace clean and in good repair. The enemy: creosote. Creosote is a tar like substance formed by unburned gasses from wood fires. Keeping the fireplace clean is not just about being tidy; a dirty fireplace can cause a house fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, failing to clean creosote from chimneys is one of the leading factors in house fires from heating sources (28%). Keeping your chimney clean of flammable creosote is one of the most important chimney care tasks.
Only burn well-seasoned hardwood like oak, maple, birch, almond wood, and fruitwood. Green wood and softwoods like pine, cedar, and spruce cause smoky fires and creosote buildup. Hardwoods burn hotter and cleaner.
Have your fireplace inspected and cleaned by Extra Mile Home Improvement's chimney sweep specialist, at least once a year and more often if your household uses the fireplace daily or if see soot and creosote buildup. Keep an eye on your fireplace and regularly check the interior for creosote and soot.
There should not be smoke inside your home. Get fires burning as hot as possible, as quickly as possible to minimize smoke and incomplete combustion. If your fireplace is smoking, it is likely either do to an incompletely adjusted flue or creosote buildup. Once the fire is burning well, the flue should be open just enough to let the smoke escape.
Do not let ashes build up in the fireplace. Keep a one-inch layer of ash in your fireplace during burning season to protect the floor of the fireplace and insulate coals. Do not let the ashes build up to the grate as this will cause the grate to wear more quickly. Make sure ashes are completely cool before cleaning them out of the fireplace. Do not leave ashes in the fireplace year round as they are acidic and can draw moisture.
Consider getting your chimney lined with a stainless steel liner for maximum fire safety. With proper care and use, a wood-burning fireplace can heat and beatify your home for years to come.
Call us for your free inspection today Extra Mile Home Improvement 866.670.5553
