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Chimney Fires
what is the best way to fight a chimney fire,we have bombs but does anyone use chains or another method
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Asgeir Gjerde on
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In Norway chimney fire is quite common. Our department deals with this in a real simple way. We pour slightly wet sand or gravel from the top of the chimney. This usually puts out the fire, and knock down charing. Then we clean up the chimney, using a regular steel brush. If there is lots of charing, we sometimes have to use other tools to scrape it out. :-)
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Permalink Reply by Clete Collins on
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Most of the time we use a foam extingusher in the stove or fireplace. Apply only enough foam to knock down the fire and then close the doors on the stove or firelplace.The foam will put the fire in out and the steam produced will usually extingush the fire in the chimney.
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Permalink Reply by Moose on
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There are different methods, but just like every tactic or tool, there are many to choose from and no one tactic is always going to be the best way. The one thing you need to be cautious when using is water, even with the misting chimney nozzle, if you apply too much too fast the flue could crack and you just caused thousands of dollars in damage to the home. The misting nozzles are good but the user needs to be knowledgeable enough in fire behavior and building construction to know how much to use and when to stop application.
Usually in my area we use the chimney bombs, homemade from extinguishers that were due for testing using glad brand sandwich bags with zipper closers, we carry dozens of them on the engine and another dozen or more on the rescue for backup. After the fire is out we use a chimney scraper on a chain to knock down any creosote into the cleanout box and remove it into a chimney bucket. If you dont have the bombs, you can use the extinguisher itself; ;lay down some tarps in the room with the stove to catch any wayward powder, open the flue, discharge some powder into the stove and close the doors. The updraft will carry the powder up the chimney and smother the flames.
There are commercially made chimney flares for the same purpose but in the dozen or so times I have seen them used have not worked too well.
Ofcourse, you should always have the interior team with a TIC and either an extinguisher or handline ready to catch any extension into the structure if it should get too bad.
Other techniques I have used or seen used include a large piece of chain on a smaller chain to drag the flue, a large pike pole to poke the creosote down, or just wait for it to get into the house and fight it the old fashioned way...not.
Many tactics, many tools in our toolbox and I am sure there are much more I am not aware of.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Rybinski on
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In Northern Mich, we have small plastic lunch bags made up with dry chem that are stored in a coffee can that we take up with us on the roof, once at the chimney, we carefully drop a bag down at a time, depending on how heavy the fire is burning, until the fire is suppressed. Then with a crew at the clean out (if provided)we will monitor and remove the debries, while the roof crew works a weighted chain down the chimney, making sure they bang the sides of the chimney liner or pipe with the chain. Then it is up to the owner to perform a more through cleaning and inspection before having another fire in their stove or fireplace. Note; not every chimney fire is the same, so proper assessment of the situation should be done and watch out for extension into the structure.
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Permalink Reply by robert l. smith on
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chris: We have been using the same method for about 20 years with the dry chemical. We have had good luck with this method. We use the same sandwich bags and usually drop at least two on most chimney fires. Empty the fire box, chain the chimney and it is time to go home. Homeowner reguired to have qualified chimney person inspect and clean the chimney, followed up by building inspector.
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The bags are "bombs".
We are required to contact code enforcement to respond to the scene while we are there so they can inspect the flue and chimney for damage, that way if it is they can red tag it right there with the owner present and we can explain it to them that they cant use it until it is repaired by the proper contractor. We have the homeowner sign a form we use in triplicate, one copy to them, one to us, one to the CEO so its on file. That way if we end up going back to the house for a structure fire and we find out it started in the chimney, the owner cant blame us for it. I believe its called "C.Y.A" right? lol
Stay Safe out there.
Moose
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Permalink Reply by Ronny S. Torgersen on
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In Norway chimney fire is quite common. particularly this time of the year, with winter and much fiering with wood heating stoves. Our department deals with this this way: We pour slightly scoarse salt from the top of the chimney. This usually puts out the fire, and knock down charing effectively. Then we clean up the chimney, using a regular steel brush. We remove the charing via an sweeping hatch in the buttom of the chimney and carry it away with a steel bucket. We inspect the chimney using a small mirror in the hatch, a partner lighten up the chimney from above with a Flashlight. We see if the chimney is clean, and not damaged. It is important that the firemen at the top of the chimney use compressed air/breathing apparatus to avoid dangerous gasses.
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Permalink Reply by ashfire on
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We have done the chimney bombs and chains. One thing is to have a pair of fire gloves that will handle the heat from the chain after its been used also a metal bucket to put the chain in after its been used. You dont want to pull the chain out and drop it on the roof of the person's house with tar coated shingles.
Most unusual chimney fire we ever had involved what the builder did when they put up the chimney. We got there and smoke was coming from around the corners of the fireplace and walls in the living room. We ended up breaking down the fireplace with sledgehammers and found a 2x8 board running through the chimney in the fireplace.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on
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I have used a little water (usually takes less than a gallon ) in the fire box for 20 years. Throw the water in, close the doors and let the steam put the chimney fire. It never failed. We can knock the fire down without accessing the roof. That way we can take our time getting to the roof to inspect the flue.
Don't forget to inspect the attic for extension. TIC are a fantastic tool for chimney fires to check for extension.
After we get the chimney fire out we focus on cooling the fire box. We always warn the homeowner to have the chimney cleaned and inspected before using again. Unfortunately we don't have a way to enforce it. We just have to hope the homeowner is smart enough to listen to us.
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