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Chimney Fires
HI Guys and Girls. I am new to the firefighting scene. I noticed our departments procedure for chimney fires. The metal can that they carry up the ladder is really heavy. What do most carry up to the roof with them. Just thought there might be some easier lighter way to get things up there.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Anthony, we use a chimney snuffer nozzle. It is a sort of blunt 1 foot long nozzle with little water ports on it. It puts out a fine mist that more or less creates steam to put out the chimney fire. This is attached to a 1 3/4 hose line.
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Permalink Reply by Anthony on
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Is this along with the metal can, heavy chain, iron weight, dry chem. bomb, etc.? I just thought maybe there would be a lighter load to carry. It just seems a little much to try to climb the ladder, while carrying the can (full), not to mention all the gear we would have on. Thanks for the replys buy the way.
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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on
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Is that can heavier than a victim you might have to carry down a ladder?
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Anthony, when we go up onto the roof, we too carry a can with a mirror and chains for dropping down to clean/knock off the creosote. We are also in full PPE including air pack. Plus a roof ladder (when needed). So if you think that the can is heavy, maybe you might want to look into food services as a career.
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Chief,
Aren't you concerned that you might crack the masonry from the water/steam? Typically we'll just drop a chimney flare inside the firebox.
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Permalink Reply by Douglas DuBree on
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Anthony, I have some powerpoints on chimney fires if you are interested email me at dubree.douglas@rigov.org
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Thanks. Actually , I am Chef by trade. BUt have lots of spare time on my hands to "VOLUNTEER". THe work doesn't scare me. AS a MOSH supervisor , Safety is usualy is my main concern. Avoiding unecesary hazards. I thought maybe there were some better ideas out there for gettint the gear up there or maybe eliminating some of it.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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The heavy can must be the chains - we have switched over to using a brush whenever possible. Actually we get a couple people up to the top of the chimney to assess the situation first before lugging up the chains, brushes, etc.
We use chimney bombs made of thin sandwich bags containing leftover dry chemical powder from discharged extinguishers. The idea is that the bag melts as it drops through the heated chimney and releases the powder. It works in some cases.
As far as putting water doen the inside of a masonry chimney there are two schools of thought I have observed. One is to try to do as little damage to the flue liner as possible so that the chimney can be re-used after being inspected.
The other assumes that after a chimney fire a clay liner is shot anyways and will have to be replaced; so use water on it and don't worry about the collateral damage.
In our department we will "red tag" the chimney and stove after a fire, whether or not there is visible damage to the flue. This means the appliance and flue cannot be used until inspected by a qualified sweep and the fire marshal.
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Permalink Reply by Ron King (Fire Chief) on
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Anthony, We came up with a great way of put out the fire we put ABC power in a small plastic bag. A firefighter tosses it down the chimney. the plastic bag melts on the way down and covers the flames with dust putting out the flames. We keep a boxes full on each truck. Works great the firefighter can carry three or four in their pockett without any trouble.
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Great thought. Thanks. WE to carry the bags with the dry chemical. I have never tryed the stuff yet, but here it works great. We start training in a few weeks, so I just wanted to here everyone elses ideas. I guess. The can wil stay. It wouldn't be so bad if there was someone else on the roof, to assist in pulling the can to the roof, but I here that hoising the can up usually causes more damage than anything. denting the siding etc. I am a little nervous of this , I guess. I just rather keep two hands on the ladder.Great site, by the way. very educational.
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Permalink Reply by blair4630 on
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Anthony, your setup sounds very similar to ours, although I have not done a flu fire as of yet, and don't really enjoy carrying anything up ladders, as I'm afraid of heights, but hey, it's part of the job so I do it anyway...we only get about 350-400 calls a year, so it can be a while between the times we are on our 35 foot ladder or the tower, so I agree with you that training is paramount for safety, especially in volunteer departments that may not get as much "on the job" time as others.
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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we do the same thing with the bags. Works great. Sometimes we'll chuck one in the box too. Then, when the fire's out, we clean out the box and sweep the chimney and pipes if needed. We're nice like that.
As far as the bucket?...chain with a homemade "ball" of gears welded together, a 6"punch, bags of dry chem., a mirror and a couple screwdrivers and nut drivers. If anything else is needed we either rope it up or another FF brings it.
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