Guide To Fireplace Safety and Maintenance
During fall and winter, one of the joys our family loves is curling up in front of a warm fireplace. We have a wood burning fireplace which requires clean and safe maintenance to prevent the enjoyment from turning into a tragedy.
There are many safety checks which must be done before starting your first fire of the season. Our fireplace is 18 years old, and we use it almost everyday during the winter. Being a nurse and having worked at at Burn Center, I am particularly sensitive and cautious when it comes to safety and maintenance of a wood burning fireplace.
FIREPLACE SAFETY CHECKS
Chimneys need to be checked and cleaned to remove creosote and debris. Creosote will build up inside the chimney and can cause a chimney fire. We use a chimney sweep and it always amazes me how much creosote he removes with each cleaning. You can get a flashlight and see the creosote which has built up. Translate that all the way up the chimney. Chimney sweeps can also look for cracks and which may need repairing. A certified chimney sweep is recommended. The certification involves an extensive exam based on fire codes, clearances, and standards for construction and maintenance of chimney and venting systems.
Chimney caps are a must. Chimney caps prevent birds, squirrels, rain and other debris from entering the chimney from the top. Chimney sweeps will inspect the caps and the chimney from the outside for chimney structure cracks, loose bricks or missing mortar. Our chimney is very tall therefore, a ladder is required to get to the top to check the cap. At this time the chimney sweep can see if there is any tree branches and leaves close to the top or obstructing the end of the cap. Tree branches and leaves should be 15 feet away from the top of the chimney. Tree limbs can present a fire hazard and also restrict proper airflow. We utilize a tree trimmer to help us keep the area unobstructed. The cap also serves as a spark arrester as long as the cap has a screen. It will contain any embers which happen to make it up the chimney to the top.
A chimney damper is the movable plate that sits above the fireplace before the flue. During the warm seasons we close our damper. However, before starting your first fire the damper must be opened otherwise your house will fill up with smoke. We always open the damper then use a flashlight to check that it is indeed open. We keep the damper open most of the winter season however, we have a glass screen we close to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney when not in use. Keep in mind a fresh burning fire may smell good but the smoke is not good for you. After you are sure the damper is open, any smoke escaping into the room from the firebox indicates the fireplace is not operating properly.
The firebox most commonly is made with masonry. A grate is put on the floor of the firebox for wood to sit. The chimney sweep should inspect the firebox during his annual inspection and cleaning. The firebox is built with a special heat-resistant fire brick. The visible parts of the chimney, hearth, and fireplace are typically made with a non-combustible material like brick, stone, or tile. The firebox is covered with a screen and may also have a glass door as an added layer of protection. We have both. To prevent hot embers from popping out, use a metal-mesh screen or glass door. Do not burn wood without some type of guard. Keep the hearth area clear, and at least 36 inches from the end of the hearth. Keep a non-flammable rug in front of the hearth so sparks will not damage carpet or flooring.
Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are functioning. If you do not have either, install them before using a fireplace. Never leave a fireplace unattended especially if there are children in the house. Before turning in for the evening be sure the fire is extinguished and close the glass doors. Fireplace coals can remain hot enough to start a fire for up to 3 days, so wait at least that long before removing ashes. Do not use a vacuum to clean up ashes because there may be a live coal which has remained. The ashes should be removed with a metal fireplace tool into a metal container.
Burning the right wood will impact the fireplace output. High moisture wood will not burn as well and will drop the overall heat output. Dense wood such as oak should be split and stored in a high and dry place for at least 6 months. Small less intense fire uses softwoods which include white spruce, douglas fir, yellow pine and any kind of cedar. Softwoods however, cause the most creosote buildup in chimneys. Hardwoods will give you the most efficient fire and more heat. Hardwoods also will give you a hotter, more intense fire, and they are best for cooking. Hardwoods include white oak, red oak, ash, birch, hickory, hard maple pecan, apple, and beech.
Seasoned firewood burns best, produces more heat, and burns cleaner. All firewood contains water and fresh wood has the most while seasoned firewood (that which has been cut 6 months prior to burning) has the least. Seasoned wood has had time to dry out if stored in the sun and wind and kept mostly dry. Our wood sits outside at least 6-8 months before we burn it. We store it off the ground at keep exposure to rain at a minimum. We keep it in a sunny location and cover it when weather threatens. Wood can be bought in volumes most commonly by the cord. A standard cord is about 8 feet long and 4 feet tall.
Some of the top firewood tips include:
It is important that the wood be dry as possible (seasoned wood).
Do not burn building scraps treated or painted. The chemicals can release toxic compounds.
If the seasoned wood you thought you bought ends up being green, chimney checks will be required more often than usual as creosote will build up quickly.
Artificial logs generally fine however, they should be burned only 1 time and poking them around once they are burning may break up the log and the fire may get a bit large and out of control. Be sure to read the directions that come with artificial logs.
Stay away from soft woods for indoor fires. They can create creosote than can coat a chimney and cause a chimney fire. They are fine for a outdoor fire pit.
Do not use freshly cut wood. It contains up to 25% more water.
For more information about fireplace safety see the following link
https://www.cpsc.gov/content/cpsc-issues-fireplace-safety-tips
REMEMBER TO HAVE FUNCTIONING SMOKE DETECTORS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN YOUR HOME!
