Burn Prevention

section d: chimney fires & chimney safety

Wood burning appliances account for more fires, more fire deaths, and greater property damages than any other kind of heating fuel - about 140,000 fires, 250 deaths, and $257 million dollars in property damages. These losses represent about 20% of all residential fires in the U.S.

Most wood heating fires involve the chimney and not the appliance itself. The majority of these fires is contained within the chimney and cause no damage to the house. However, chimney fires can ignite other parts of the house. There is also the potential future hazard from the continued use of chimneys whose structural integrity has been compromised by a chimney fire. An additional problem is that many contained chimney fires are not reported to the fire services; in fact, consumers may not even be aware that a chimney fire has occurred. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a special safety alert concerning chimneys used with wood burning stoves, fireplaces, and fireplace inserts. The Commission urgently warns consumers to be aware of the potential fire hazards associated with chimneys.

Common clauses of chimney fires

Improper chimney installation too close to the chimney.
Installation of thermal insulation too close to the chimney.
Improperly passing the stovepipe or chimney through a ceiling or wall causing ignition of wood framing.
Structural damage to the chimney caused by the ignition of creosote (a black-tar substance that builds up inside the chimney in normal use).
Structural damage can also occur in masonry chimneys associated with deterioration.

There are products now available that show promise for reducing the production of creosote and harmful pollutant emissions. Advance wood stove designs appear to provide more complete combustion of the fuel. Catalytic combustors appear to achieve similar results, and are available with new stoves or as a separate component that can be installed between the flue gas exit and the chimney connector.

Prevention measures

Be sure that the chimney and the stovepipe were installed correctly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and local codes. If there is any doubt, a building inspector or fire official can determine whether the system is properly installed.
Minimize creosote formation by using proper stove size and avoid using low damper settings for extended periods of time.
Visually inspect older chimneys in frequent use for creosote buildup once a month.
Have the chimney checked and cleaned routinely by a chimney "sweep" at least once a year. Inspect it frequently as often as twice a month if necessary, and clean when a creosote buildup is noted.
Always operate your appliance within the manufacturer's recommended temperature limits. Too low a temperature increases creosote buildup, and too high a temperature may eventually cause damage to the chimney and result in a fire.
Frequently look fir signs of structural failure.