Arsonism.org – Fireplaces – Chimmeys and Furnances Oh My

There are two things that you want your fireplace to be: safe and efficient. As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to ensure these. Here are some safety and efficiency tips that you should always keep in mind.

Have the chimney checked by a professional

Every year, have your fireplace checked by a professional service person. This way, defects and signs of deterioration can be detected and repaired immediately. This measure is important not only for safety but also to maintain the efficiency of the chimney.

Examine it yourself

Apart from the yearly check, you should also do your part in inspecting the chimney from time. If you have a masonry fireplace, check the mortar between the bricks or stones to see if they are intact. For a metal chimney, check if there are any dents, rusted metal, or missing screws.

Prevent buildup of soot and creosote

Both soot and creosote are flammable and can pose danger if not removed from the chimney. Creosote is produced by incomplete combustion of wood.  Don’t wait for creosote to buildup. It should be removed as soon as possible. The soot deposit should be removed if it reaches 1/8 inch in depth.

Keep flammable items away

Don’t let any flammable material near the fireplace, as these can easily ignite. Examples are rugs, furniture, blankets, newspapers, and so on. Use a screen especially for a wood-burning fireplace since these produce hot sparks.

Don’t let children near

Never leave the kids unattended around the fireplace. Keep all matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight.

Keep the damper closed

For a wood-burning fireplace that comes with a damper, close it whenever the fireplace is not being used. See to it that the seal on the damper is working well. To do that, close it and put a tissue in the fireplace. If the tissue doesn’t stay in one place, this means that it is no longer working effectively in keeping the drafts out. Call a repair person as soon as possible to have this fixed.

A fire breakout is one of the scariest things that can ever happen in your life. It’s imperative that you know what to do in case of one. Even though you follow fire preventive measures strictly at home, you still cannot discount the possibility that a fire may still occur. Here are the things you need to do during a fire emergency.

Fight or flee

First, you have to make a decision on whether to fight the fire or flee the burning premises. Fight the fire only if ALL these circumstances are present: you know how to use a fire extinguisher, you have the appropriate fire extinguisher, you have the presence of mind, and the fire is not yet big and uncontrollable.

This is not the time to figure out how to use this device. Also, if you’re not sure if you have the right fire extinguisher with you, it may only worsen the fire or cause injuries. If you’re panicking, you may not be able to pull it off. And fire extinguishers are only meant to combat fire at initial stage.

Vacate the premises as fast as you can if you decide not to fight the fire. While you’re at it, see to it that you make loud noises such as screaming and banging the walls to alert the other people in the premises of the fire. Cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth and crawl your way out to avoid smoke inhalation.

Call the fire department

Once you’re safely out of the building, call the fire department immediately. Report the fire. If there is anyone trapped inside the property, don’t try to get back to save that person. Instead, inform the firefighters immediately and leave the rescue to the hands of the professional.

All these are the things you need to do in case of a fire breakout.

At home, the last thing you’ll ever want to experience is a fire. In fact, some people would agree that it’s much worse than burglary. At least, burglars wouldn’t take all your things. A fire would take your entire house down. To ensure that you don’t experience fire at home, follow these fire preventive measures:

Keep matches away from children’s reach, but not only matches, lighters and any other thing that can start a fire as well. Children are always curious and they love to explore the things around them so it’s best that you don’t let these things near their reach or their sight.

Practice safe cooking in the kitchen. The kitchen is the most common place for a fire to originate. Don’t leave any pot or pan cooking on top of the stove even for a few seconds. Wear short sleeved clothing when cooking so your clothes won’t catch fire. Place the stove away from any flammable materials like the curtains.

Inspect all electrical appliances. See to it that they are all in top working condition. If anything seems to be malfunctioning, don’t use that appliance anymore and bring immediately to a professional repair center.

Be sure to inspect the cords to see if there are any frays or signs of deterioration. Don’t plug too many appliances in one socket. Also, don’t put the cord under carpets or rugs.

Install smoke detectors in every floor of the house. Check these detectors regularly to see if these are working. Replace batteries as necessary. This is important so that the smoke detectors don’t give you false security.

Finally, learn to use fire-fighting devices like the fire extinguisher. To use this, pull the pin first then aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Squeeze the lever gently to release the substance that will put out the fire. Make a sweeping motion from side to side to kill the fire. Don’t stop until the fire is put out completely.

There are two things that you want your fireplace to be: safe and efficient. As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to ensure these. Here are some safety and efficiency tips that you should always keep in mind.

Have the chimney checked by a professional

Every year, have your fireplace checked by a professional service person. This way, defects and signs of deterioration can be detected and repaired immediately. This measure is important not only for safety but also to maintain the efficiency of the chimney.

Examine it yourself

Apart from the yearly check, you should also do your part in inspecting the chimney from time. If you have a masonry fireplace, check the mortar between the bricks or stones to see if they are intact. For a metal chimney, check if there are any dents, rusted metal, or missing screws.

Prevent buildup of soot and creosote

Both soot and creosote are flammable and can pose danger if not removed from the chimney. Creosote is produced by incomplete combustion of wood.  Don’t wait for creosote to buildup. It should be removed as soon as possible. The soot deposit should be removed if it reaches 1/8 inch in depth.

Keep flammable items away

Don’t let any flammable material near the fireplace, as these can easily ignite. Examples are rugs, furniture, blankets, newspapers, and so on. Use a screen especially for a wood-burning fireplace since these produce hot sparks.

Don’t let children near

Never leave the kids unattended around the fireplace. Keep all matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight.

Keep the damper closed

For a wood-burning fireplace that comes with a damper, close it whenever the fireplace is not being used. See to it that the seal on the damper is working well. To do that, close it and put a tissue in the fireplace. If the tissue doesn’t stay in one place, this means that it is no longer working effectively in keeping the drafts out. Call a repair person as soon as possible to have this fixed.

The fireplace is always a wonderful focal point in the living room. It doesn’t only create a homey ambience, it also provides the practical function of keeping the space warm and comfortable. Of course, just like with most things at home, it also requires certain amount of maintenance and organization.

For one, if you have a wood fireplace, you’d have to know that while this is gorgeous and cozy, it doesn’t burn cleanly or efficiently as natural gas. Because of this, you need to purchase good quality fireplace implements. Don’t go for cheap ones that can bend and burn, as these can be a hazard.

As for the woodpiles, it’s best that you keep them outside. Critters such as mice and chipmunks love wood so you need to place them in a covered place. The covered porch is ideal for wood storage during winter. Bring just a few logs at a time and place them near the fireplace.

During the cold season, it’s a good idea to have a glass door that can increase the fireplace’s efficiency significantly. See to it that the damper is in excellent condition. It should be closed when the fireplace is not in use. If you’re going to use the fireplace frequently, clear the ashes under the log. Keep a few layers to build a warmer fire and to allow the wood to burn more effectively.

Some homeowners prefer gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces require less maintenance. But of course, you still need to care for it. Follow the directions in the owner’s manual. Have the fireplace inspected regularly by a professional service person. Remember too that gas leaks can be fatal so you need to be careful about these. Also, even though this type of fireplace does not spark, you should still never place anything flammable near it.

If you have a fireplace in your home, it’s imperative that you maintain it regularly to prevent potential hazards. Here are some of the things that you need to do regarding fireplace maintenance.

Check the chimney caps

On top of the chimney, there’s a cap with wire mesh on the sides. This is where the smoke comes out. It’s covered with mesh so that the rain, debris, birds, and other animals would not be able to enter the house. Always check this cap. If it’s missing or damaged, have it replaced or repaired immediately. Don’t wait for your fireplace to get soaked in rain or for birds to come flying into your house before you do something about it.

Examine condition of the chimney

Take the time to inspect the outer mortar between the stones or bricks. Use a flashlight also to look at down the chimney so you can also see the mortar inside. See if these are intact. If the mortar appears to be crumbling, have it replaced as soon as possible. Check for missing bricks and cracked tile liners as well. For metal chimneys, check for rusted or dented metals and missing screws.

Avoid formation of creosote

Creosote refers to the hard and crust-like flammable substance produced when wood is not completely combusted. It’s dangerous when there is a buildup of creosote in the fireplace as this can start a fire. Creosote must be removed. You can also minimize accumulation of this substance by dry hardwoods. This type of wood has lower moisture content so it can burn more completely compared to regular wood. Also, since hot air produces less creosote, increase air supply in the chimney so woods will burn more completely.

Remove soot

Soot is also flammable but it’s softer and darker in color than creosote. Remove soot deposits each time they reach 1/8 inch in depth.