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Chimney Fire question....
We were called out last week to a chimney fire. Home owner stated he had cleaned it that day. Once fire was out, we re-cleaned it. We noticed that the flue, was only 3 ft long, and was ot the top of chimney, not all the way down, not sure why. Called there again last night, same thing !!! What is causing this ??? Its been cleaned....is it because of no flue all the way down ??? Need a bigger chimney ???? He is burning very dry wood, and its clean. Is it the warmer temps outside affecting it ??? Im looking for some answers. The home owner is getting a solid pipe in a few days, hoping that may cure it...Thanks for any info !!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ted Downey on
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is this a fireplace with an Insert?? Is the fire in the smokeshelf and not in the flue?? more specifics please.
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Permalink Reply by Moose on
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Sounds fishy, need more info. Is this a compliant chimney with the local codes? Is it a home made job? There needs to be air space in between the structural members and the chimney, does it have this?
I agree though, need more info please.
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Permalink Reply by Bull on
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Its a woodstove in basement of a 1 story house. Outside of chimney is made of cinder blocks, then on the top inside of the cinder blocks is like a 3ft ceramic flue. I believe its a 8 inch flue ??? There is space between chimney and structure. The fire has been located in the top 4-6 feet of chimney.
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Permalink Reply by Fireman Larry on
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It sounds like the resident, may have taken the easy way out and installed it without a permit. If thats the case, it may be in everyones best interest to notify the building inspector. By doing so, it releases the department from, the liability, not to mention, is the CO being released properly or is it backing up into the house.
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Permalink Reply by Jody Thomas on
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Sounds like he's burning unseasoned wood
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Permalink Reply by Chris Severa on
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I have been burning seasoned and not so seasoned wood, the only time I start to get creosote buildup is when I don't allow enough air flow to burn cleanly. Common mistake unseasoned wood, stove dampened down for the night = creosote. and not the almost burned flakes but the nice shiny volatile kind. I'm far from an expert at fires, but in my many years of heating with wood this is a common observation.
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Permalink Reply by Greenman on
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Have the Homeowner call a Certified Chimney Sweep to do an inspection. This is what Certfied Chimney Sweeps specialize in not the Fire Department.
There's about seven Chimney Pros in your area, and the Homeowner can find a list of them at www.ncsg.org or www.csia.org
Greenman
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Yeah, anytime someone has a chimney fire, they need to have what is called a "Level 2" chimney inspections, per NFPA 211, prior to using it again.
If you can make it stick legally in your jurisdiction (i.e a city or state ordinance requiring such an inspection) that is better. Check with your AHJ to see if there is such an ordinance in your district or city.
A level 2 inspection involves a video scan of the entire length of the chimney, looking for cracked flue tiles and damaged mortar joints and other damage. Frankly, nobody can see every nook and cranny in a flue or smoke chamber from the top or bottom.
As a Firefighter, never try to diagnose chimney damage or solve chimney problems, that is beyond the "scope of practice" for a Firefighter, and falls within the domain of what a Certified Chimney Sweep is trained, certified/licensed and insured and bonded to do. If you give chimney advice, or fail to tell a homeowner to have a Certified Chimney Sweep perform a Chimney Inspection following a chimney fire, then you are opening your department to liability, should the homeowner subsequently use a damaged chimney and suffer another chimney fire, or worse, a house fire caused when flue gases escape the damaged chimney.
Greenman
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Permalink Reply by matt foro on
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I know my department would of red tagged it and code enforcement notified of the incident, code enforcement would be out once the home owner belives that the problem was fixed. After a second call out to the same location for the same reason would justify being red tagged.. where was the fire located in the chimney, what readings with a thermal camera did u get on the inside & outside of the structure, the chimney and interior walls ?
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Matt,
Chimney problems cannot be diagnosed accurately on a chat forum. Per NFPA 211, a Certified Chimney Sweep must inspect the chimney prior to it being put back into service, even code enforcement will tell you that, they are not the chimney experts. Firefighters, unless they are a Certified Chimney Sweep, are not qualified to diagnose chimney problems. Asking for TIC readings distracts from the requirement that a Certified, Licensed and insured Chimney Sweep do a Level II inspection of the system to determine the cause of the chimney fires and take corrective action.
I am a Certified Chimney Sweep, and I would not hazard a guess as to cause of corrective actions based on info here, it would open me to a lot of liability, which neither I, nor Bull, nor Bull's department probably wants to accept. It like asking a Doctor to diagnose what's wrong with you by describing symptoms in a chat forum: the Doc's going to tell you to see your doctor for an exam.
Greenman
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