The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Chimney fires, it's that time of year.
We've changed our methods of fighting chimney fires quite a bit in the last 5 years or so, I remember we used to fllod them with water, not such a good idea anymore. Now we wont use water unless we feel it's going to turn into a structure fire. We use "dry chemical bombs" now and they work great. Take dry chemical and put it in a plastic zip lock bag and drop it down, the bag melts right away and the dry chemcial falls down, a lot less mess than taking a extinguisher up on the roof. We carry these bags already done up on our trucks. What else do you do for chimney fires?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tony P on
-
Mike, I'd say you using water extinguishers would use about the same amount of the wet stuff as we use with the garden hose. Just a fine spray that vapourises quickly - let the steam do the work! Except we do it from the roof. I'd still like to try the glass of water method I was taught, but my present Brigade are very happy with their own method. And chimney fires are rare anyway. Like you, snow? What's that?
-
Permalink Reply by T.J. on
-
Yes, we use our thermal camera all the time, and yes the "bomb" is probably for use other folks..........LOL.
-
Permalink Reply by turk182 on
-
I have a coal furnace and when the chimney catches fire on it I take wet newspaper and throw it on the fire and the steam from that usaully will put the fire out I also keep a windex bottle with water in it and spray that into the damper.
I have not had to stick a hose into the chimney yet and believe me I have had some cookers in there the flue pipe was cherry red.
I usually clean my chimney twice a year, once before I start for the season and at the middle.
-
Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
-
T.J., I don't want to get you in trouble with your white hats, but here are a couple of comments on your comment (on MY comment).
First - we use a brush or chains to dislodge any remaining ash, embers, etc. from the interior of the flue. Occasionally the creosote deposits will appear black on the outside, however they will still be glowing embers within. The goal is not to clean the chimney, but to ensure the fire is completely out.
Second - we have a little slip of paper called a Uniform Code Notification (or something) that states that for all fires involving a heating appliance (wood, gas, etc.) the appliance shall NOT be used until it has been inspected, repaired and OKed by a professional repair person AND the Town Fire Marshal. The owner/occupant is advised that the system cannot be used until the Fire Marshal says it is OK to do so.
The o/o's name, address and phone number are recorded on the form along with the IC's name and number, and the Fire Marshal's name and number. One copy of the form is retained by the FD, one goes to the Fire Marshal and one is given to the homeowner.
Failure of the o/o to heed this, I'm told, results in the insurance company declining benefits in case the house catches fire. It also absolves the FD from blame in the matter.
So whether we cause damage to the chimney during extinguishment, or the fire damages it, is moot. The owner has to have it repaired and inspected before further use. And the people we "visit" usually don't have a clue what the damn thing is supposed to look like inside, anyways.
-
Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
-
Hey Tony, Hope the land down under has been enjoying watching our elections. It should be fun to watch to see what changes in the future... My thoughts on a roof approach to extinguishing a chimney fire are as follow:
1. If you don't need to get on the roof, then don't.
2. Some roofs, like tile roofs will be damaged, causing thousands of dollars in damage.
3. Risk vs. Gain
4. A small amount of water via water extinguisher works well, we all have them on our rigs, no cleanup if you don't go postal on the amount of water you use
5. I'm concerned that if the bolus of water from a cupis thrown into the fire, verses using a fine mist, damage could occur to the fireplace.
6. It's kind of like using a 2.5-inch attack line verses a garden hose. I don't think you need to use that much water to enable water to steam conversion to occur effectively.
6. Less is more in this case... plus you did not have to get on the roof, the call duration is a lot shorter, there is minimal cleanup due to minimal water application and the customer is happy that we turned a potential disaster into a public service call... We also would recommend professional chimney sweep assistance...
But then again, do they have chimney's in Australia?
-
-
Mike,
1 - agreed
2 - agreed, and mostly tile roofs here
3 - agreed
4 - agreed, but we don't have them on all vehicles
5 - interesting point, I can see what you mean
6 - (laughs)
7 - call duration shorter, yes, especially as at the last one I went to the OiC insisted that we grab the 9.5 metre extension ladder off of the Pumper instead of the folding Little Giant. Haven't had any clean up need yet.
Chimneys in Aus? Yeah, a few. Mostly just for Santa though... Seriously, a lot of the old ones have had gas heaters in stalled with steel flues, so not as much of a problem. We do have people that use a fireplace for affect as well as heating - they're nic to look at! I just don't like the mess.
We do get a few people who still think it's OK to clean out the fireplace and dump the ashes into their plastic wheely bin... Or onto the mulched garden bed, next to the wooden fence, etc..
-
Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on
-
We use the "bombs" now and they work great. We used to have a whole bunch of the chimney flares but got rid of them because no one knew how old they were.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
