Chimney Fires

Instructor: Dan Braitsch

Student Performance Objective

Given information from discussion, handouts, and reading materials, the student will be expected to describe the breakdown and anatomy of a chimney fire. The student will review causes of chimney fire inception, possible hazards associated with chimney fires and subsequent safety considerations, and methods of chimney fire extinguishment. The student will review the role of the fire ground personnel in mitigating a chimney fire incident.

Overview

■Characteristics of chimney fires■Chimney anatomy and assemblies■Causes and reasons for damaged chimneys■ICS and fireground operations at chimney fire incidents■Safety and accountability■Extinguishment■Salvage and overhaul

Chimney Fires■ Burns explosively■ Noisy, low rumble■ Turbulent Smoke■ Very high temps■ Cracks in thimble■ Cracks in flue pipe■ Smoke damage■ Roof /Attic damage■ Chimney damage

Anatomy of a Fireplace

Anatomy of a Pellet Stove

Anatomy of a Wood Burning Stove

Anatomy of a Wood Burning Stove Insert

Pre-Fab Chimneys

■ Check for extension■Top of stove■Along metal flue /

welds■At Fire stop■Within Chase and

Chase Cover■At the termination

Cap

Creosote Formation

Damaged Chimneys

■ 2000 degrees F will start to break down masonry work

■ Brick and mortar integrity will fail

■ Cracks in Terracotta lining will form

■ Metal Chimneys – high heat will warp seams and crack welds

Response

■ Is it only a chimney fire?

■ Don’t assume anything■ THINK HOUSE FIRE!■ Respond as house fire■ Full assignment / box■ Officer to do a

complete 360■ Pull charged line to

front of house ready to go

Equipment Needed■ Chimney Brush■ Tarps / Runners■ Metal salvage bucket■ D/C Extinguisher■ Baggies with D/C■ Small stove shovel■ TI Camera■ Mirror■ Positive Pressure Fan■ Heavy Chain with

Metal Cable (old way)

Assignments

■ Use ICS■ Incident Command■ Safety Officer■ Fire Attack Crew■ Roof/Chimney

Crew■ Ventilation Crew■ Exposure Crew

Job Duties■ Fire Attack Crew■ Put F/R tarps down■ Open damper■ Use DC to subdue

fire■ Remove

combustibles in metal can

■ Remove vent pipe if needed

■ Use D/C Extinguisher up chimney

Job Duties

■ Chimney/Roof Crew■ Use Plastic bags with

DC to put out fire■ Check integrity of

chimney■ Check exposure to

roof■ Two means of egress■ Full PPE and SCBA

Job Duties

■Ventilation Crew■ Sets up positive

pressure fan■ Creates

appropriate openings for movement of dangerous materials

Job Duties

■ Exposure Crew■ Check for extension

along chimney area■ Check attic/second floor for extension■ Pull back up

handline■ Support ladders■ Help with

ventilation

Safety■ Full Protective

Equipment for everyone■ Personnel working

roof/chimney have SCBA■ Use of Aerial Device■ Use TI camera and look

for hot spots■ Accountability■ Use radios for

communications■ Work in teams of two or

as a group, no freelancing

Extinguishment■ Extinguish &

remove fuel from firebox

■ D/C in bags dropped down chimney

■ D/C Extinguisher from the base of flue

■ PPV forced D/C up chimney

■ Chimney chain (old method)

Remove Fuel

■ Extinguish fire in firebox, let steam rise

■ Carry fireplace contents in salvage bucket outside and ensure extinguished

■ Close draft stop

Dry Chemical Bags

■Dropped from top of chimney

■Bag melts as it descends

■Releases powder into flue

■Powder then carried upward

Extinguisher from base of flue

■ Open draft stop and insert nozzle, discharge upward

■ Heat / Natural Vent carries D/C up

■ May initially intensify fire with opening of draft stop

■ Messy

PPV forced D/C up chimney

■ Locate seat of fire in flue using mirror

■ Close other openings within structure

■ Cover firebox opening and start PPV fan

■ Create small opening and discharge D/C

What's Wrong with this Picture?

Termination

■ Check for hot spots■ Proper Overhaul, no

rekindle. Make sure all fire is out. Cover open holes, Salvage

■ Account for personnel

■ Tell home occupant not to use fireplace until inspection.

Student Performance Objectives

Given information from discussion, handouts, and reading materials, the student will be expected to describe the breakdown and anatomy of a chimney fire. The student will review causes of chimney fire inception, possible hazards associated with chimney fires and subsequent safety considerations, and methods of chimney fire extinguishment. The student will review the role of the fire ground personnel in mitigating a chimney fire incident.

Review

■Characteristics of chimney fires■Chimney anatomy and assemblies■Causes and reasons for damaged chimneys■ICS and fireground operations at chimney fire incidents■Safety and accountability■Extinguishment■Salvage and overhaul

Be Safe Everyone Goes Home