Norfolk Volunteer Fire Norfolk Volunteer Fire DepartmentDepartment

Chimney Chimney

FiresFires

2010Trainin

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Chimney Fire Definition:Chimney Fire Definition:

• A A chimney firechimney fire is the combustion of is the combustion of residue deposits referred to as creosote on residue deposits referred to as creosote on the inner surfaces of chimney tiles, flue the inner surfaces of chimney tiles, flue liners, stove pipes, etc.liners, stove pipes, etc.

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• Chimney fires can burn explosively - noisy and Chimney fires can burn explosively - noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbors dramatic enough to be detected by neighbors or passersby. Flames or dense smoke may or passersby. Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney. shoot from the top of the chimney. Homeowners report being startled by a low Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight train or a low flying air plane.train or a low flying air plane.

Chimney Fires:

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• Failure of the chimney to maintain its ailure of the chimney to maintain its integrity, and the spread of fire within integrity, and the spread of fire within adjoining partitions of the structure. Make adjoining partitions of the structure. Make use of the Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) to use of the Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) to check for any possible extension.check for any possible extension.

• Additional hazards include the possible Additional hazards include the possible buildup of toxic gases such as carbon buildup of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (Co)monoxide (Co) within the structure due to within the structure due to restricted flues. Always Meter!!restricted flues. Always Meter!!

Chimney Fire Hazards:

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Types of Stoves:Types of Stoves:• Standard Fire Place and InsertsStandard Fire Place and Inserts

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Internal Flu Systems

• Multi-level houses will have separate flu’s for every fire

place

• Fire Box- Exposed Flu pipe into the

chimney

Types of Stoves:

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• Creosote will form heavily at bends in any pipe work or angles in a chimney

Chimney Cleanouts:Chimney Cleanouts:

• Cleanouts are located at the lower portion of the chimney.

• Maybe located outside, under snow and ice.

• Cleanouts can cause a fire hazard if not closed and next to combustible materials.

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• Creosote is black or brown in appearance. It Creosote is black or brown in appearance. It can be crusty and flaky…tar-like, drippy and can be crusty and flaky…tar-like, drippy and sticky…or shiny and hardened. Creosote is sticky…or shiny and hardened. Creosote is highly combustible. If it builds up in highly combustible. If it builds up in sufficient quantities – and catches fire inside sufficient quantities – and catches fire inside the chimney flu instead of the firebox of the the chimney flu instead of the firebox of the fireplace or wood stove – the result will be a fireplace or wood stove – the result will be a chimney fire. chimney fire.

Chimneys and Creosote:

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• Chimney Dampers are designed to Chimney Dampers are designed to close off the flu, preventing heat from close off the flu, preventing heat from escaping when the fire place is not in-escaping when the fire place is not in-use. use.

Chimney Damper:

Open Damper Damaged Damper

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Chimney Shelf:• Burning Creosote will breakaway from chimney and land on the chimney shelf and continue to burn. • The Up-Draft will carry small particles up chimney and re-ignite any un-burnt creosote.

Extinguishing a Chimney FireExtinguishing a Chimney Fire

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Access to Chimney: Ground Ladders Aerial Trucks

• Determine where fire is burning• Determine if the fire is contained to chimney or flu• Wear Proper PPE/SCBA when operating near the chimney.

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• Burning creosote needs to be removed Burning creosote needs to be removed from chimney and flu.from chimney and flu.

• Stay upwind from the top of the chimneyStay upwind from the top of the chimney

• Constant updraft carries particles out, Constant updraft carries particles out, Never look directly into chimney! Never look directly into chimney! Use Use mirrors to check progress.mirrors to check progress.

Roof Operations:

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• Use of weights and chains will break apart Use of weights and chains will break apart creosote in the chimney.creosote in the chimney.

• Drop the chimney weight until chimney Drop the chimney weight until chimney sides are clear of debris.sides are clear of debris.

• Spraying water down the chimney is less Spraying water down the chimney is less effective than from the bottom up.effective than from the bottom up.

• Remove Chimney cap if necessaryRemove Chimney cap if necessary

Roof Operations Cont.:

Indoor Operations:Indoor Operations:• Set up canvas tarps from the fireplace to the exit

• Extinguish fire in firebox and clear out fire shelf

• Remove ashes and logs

• Work with the roof team to shovel out ashes as they are knocked down

• Spray the water can into the chimney and allow steam to extinguish fire if needed

• Never Look up the chimney, watch for the falling weight and ashes with mirrors

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Fire Extension:Fire Extension:

• Use the Thermal imager on all floors to check for possible extension.

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• Advise the homeowner that even though the Advise the homeowner that even though the fire is extinguished, a thorough cleaning is fire is extinguished, a thorough cleaning is needed by a professional cleaning companyneeded by a professional cleaning company

• The fire place should not be used until The fire place should not be used until inspected for any cracks in the chimney inspected for any cracks in the chimney liner, missing or damaged bricks, or damage liner, missing or damaged bricks, or damage from excessive heatfrom excessive heat

• Report any findings to homeowner Report any findings to homeowner

• Contact the Fire Marshal if any doubt of Contact the Fire Marshal if any doubt of improper installation of stove unit existsimproper installation of stove unit exists

The Homeowner:The Homeowner:

Preventing Chimney FiresPreventing Chimney Fires• Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than

hard wood versus soft wood considerations)hard wood versus soft wood considerations)

• Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smokeproduce less smoke

• Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Christmas trees; these can spark a chimney fireChristmas trees; these can spark a chimney fire

• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flu Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flu temperatures where wood stoves are in use, so you can temperatures where wood stoves are in use, so you can adjust burning practices as neededadjust burning practices as needed

• Have the chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular Have the chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basisbasis

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Different Types of Chimneys:Different Types of Chimneys:

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Different Types of Chimneys:Different Types of Chimneys:

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Apparatus Response:Apparatus Response:

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In Order of In Order of response,response,

• Engine 40Engine 40

• Engine 30Engine 30

• Tanker 100Tanker 100

• Utility 50Utility 50

• Engine 90Engine 90