Response to CHIMNEY FIRES Strategic and Tactical Considerations while responding too Chimney Fires Buxton Fire-Rescue.

Response to CHIMNEY FIRES

Strategic and Tactical Considerations while responding too Chimney Fire’s

Buxton Fire-Rescue

OBJECTIVES

Significance of Chimney Fires.

NFPA 211 & Maine Woodburning Guide.

Chimney Construction.

What Causes a Chimney Fire?

Operations at Chimney Fires.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CHIMNEY FIRES

Known fire within a structure.

Requires a Structural Response Still Box assignment of

2 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Tanker and Rescue.

CODES & STANDARDS

NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys,

Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances.

Adopted by State of Maine

Enforceable by Law

CODES & STANDARDS

Maine Woodburning Guide Condensed code and

wood burning guide. Available free of charge

to everyone.

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

What is a Chimney? One or more

passageways, vertical or nearly so, for conveying flue gases to the outside atmosphere.

What is a Flue? Passage through which

the gases are conveyed from the combustion chamber to the outside air.

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

Masonry Chimneys1. Solid masonry Base

2. Corbelling

3. Clay Tile Lined

4. Double Brick

5. Metal Inserts

6. “SupaFlue”

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

Solid Base Corbelling

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

Clay Tile Lined Double Brick

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

Metal Insert MASONRY - SupaFlu

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

Fireplaces Masonry Factory Built Fireplace inserts

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

Metal Chimneys Manufactured

Listed

Homebuilt Unlisted

Cast Iron Steel

Can be single walled, double walled…

WOODSTOVES & THIMBLES

Woodstoves

Thimble Fixed or removable

ring, tube or lining. Located where the

connector passes through a wall to the chimney

CLEARANCES

Interior Chimney 2” from combustibles

Exterior Chimney 1” from combustibles

Wood Stove 36” from combustibles*

Stove Pipe 18” form combustibles*

CLEARANCE REDUCTIONS

Manufacturers installation recommendations take precedence if the appliance or chimney is listed by a company such as UL or FM.

Reduction Table

CLEARANCE REDUCTION TABLE

WHAT CAUSES A CHIMNEY FIRE?

Creosote Unburned particles of

wood and condensed flue gases which deposit on the chimney’s interior

Factors affecting Build-Up Residence Time Smoke density Stack (chimney) Temp.

WHAT CAUSES A CHIMNEY FIRE?

Defects and/or damage to the Chimney Deterioration over time Damage due to a

chimney fire Damage due to

weather storm Alterations or

construction defects

OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES

Response & Size-Up Still Box: 2 Engines, 1

Ladder, 1 Tanker and Rescue

Size-Up Caller info Initial FD Size Up

OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES

Engine Co. Tasks Tools & Equipment Locate Fire Extinguish or contain

Fire Check Walls Open up if need be Water Supply

OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES

Ladder Co. Tasks Tools Access to roof &

chimney Access to flue Clear Blockages Snuffer etc. Check roofline where

the chimney passes through

OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES

Interior Tools & Equipment Extinguish fire in

appliance Inspect chimney to

determine fire location Suppression in chimney Remove burning debris Smoke removal

OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES

Command Notes

Great PR opportunity Fire in a house Explain to homeowner Remember salvage

covers/runners

PPE/EQUIPMENT

Roof Operations Gear Full Turnout Gear Ladder/Escape Belt SCBA Porcupine/weights

Interior Operations Full Turnout Gear SCBA (breathing if

CO/smoke present) TIC Chimney Kit Extinguisher

SUMMARY & QUESTIONS

Summary Significance Codes Operations Public Relations SOG

Questions?