Fire info
Carbon
Monoxide and solid fuel
Many people think that carbon monoxide only comes
from gas appliances but the truth is that ANY
fuel that burns creates carbon monoxide. The Guild of Master
Sweeps has published a leaflet to raise awareness of the
dangers of solid fuel related carbon monoxide poisonings
click here to view the Carbon Monoxide safety flyer
Dont be part of the next uk fire statistics. Get your chimney
swept every year.
UK fire statistics show that every year over 31 thousands
houses have chimney fires.
This will be largely due to not getting the chimney swept
often enough or burning fuel that is inappropriate for the
appliance and causing tar to build up in the chimney.
Most insurance companies will no longer pay out for claims
made due to chimney fires unless the chimney has been swept
by a professional chimney sweep and a valid certificate
of sweeping issued that is recognised by insurance companies.
Also if the fire brigade is called out due to a chimney
fire and it is proven that the chimney has not been maintained
the local council can bill you for the call out, and this
has been known to be up to £2000 per fire crew.
DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE RISK? OR JUST GET
THE CHIMNEY SWEPT.
To help prevent chimney fires
Last year alone 9000 chimney fires wrecked the
homes and lives of homeowners in the uk. don't be a statistic,
make sure you get your chimney swept and appliance serviced
annually
Chimney fires
can burn explosively - noisy and dramatic enough
to be detected by neighbours or passers by. Flames
or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney.
Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling
sound that reminds them of a freight train or a
low flying aeroplane.
However, those
are only the chimney fires you know about. Slow-burning
chimney fires don't get enough air or have enough
fuel to be as dramatic or visible as their more
spectacular cousins. But, the temperatures they
reach are very high and can cause damage to the
chimney structure - and nearby combustible parts
of the house -
Chimney fires
don't have to happen. Here are some ways to avoid
them:
Use seasoned woods
only (dryness is more important than hard wood
versus soft wood considerations)
Build smaller, hotter fires that BURN more completely
and produce less smoke
Never BURN cardboard
boxes, waste paper, or Christmas trees; these can
start a chimney fire
Use only recommended
fuels for your appliance and flue type(If you are
unsure check your manufactures instruction or ask
your stove supplier).
View information about thatch safety
What causes a chimney fire with reference to thatched properties, when a chimney
liner is installed
1. Having a spark guard or similar on top, As soot will cling to a cold surface.
As the cowl can not
be cleaned unless removed, And therefore should
the cowl get sooty and catch fire then it could
drop sparks onto the thatch.
2. If a chimney liner is installed into a very
tarry chimney and the liner is installed in such
a way that it comes close to this surface of the
chimney, then the heat from the liner can cause
the tar to spontaneously combust causing chimney
fires.
3. If a chimney liner is not maintained by having
it swept properly this can also cause a chimney
fire.
4. When the heat travelling up the liner goes into
the narrowing of the chimney, the heat from the
liner can travel into the upper brickwork and out
into the thatch causing graying of the thatch,
when the graying reaches the air it will combust,
again causing a thatched fire.
5. If register plates are installed from combustible
material then this can also cause fires in properties.
6. By installing the wrong type of liner for the
fuel type being used can cause chimney fires.
7. By burning unsuitable wet wood ( unseasoned
) in appliances can cause chimney fires.
8. By using the fire as a waste disposal means
to burn household waste paper, etc.
9. If the flue liner is installed incorrectly
To help prevent chimney fires
1. Comply with building regulations and to make sure that the person undertaking
the work is competent to undertake such work.
2. The best way to install a chimney liner into
any chimney is to use the proper liner for the
fuel type that the liner is serving.
3. To make sure that you have a regular sweeping
program in place.
4. For the liner to be supported properly.
5. For the register plate and supports for same
to be made from non combustible material preferably
metal.
6. For the whole void of the chimney to be in filled
with non combustible material ( micro fill or similar
).
7. For the liner to be finished off within the
chimney as per manufacturers recommendations.
8. Remember that when a liner is fitted it should
be easily accessible in order for it to be swept
regularly.
9. For the liner to not have a spark guard or any
cowl type fitted unless it is cleaned regularly.
Additional
info
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