Heating has resumed service in our homes, given the temperatures of recent days, it is almost obligatory! And, I think that this weekend, I will have my first fire in the wood stove, I can’t wait, I appreciate the warmth and the atmosphere it provides. Before that, I have a few more days to make sure I take every precaution to avoid what is known as a “chimney fire.” In all departments of France, chimney fires multiplyas in Sarthe, for example, with, in 2023, more than 300 fires out of a total of 800 fires. So how am I going to prepare my fireplace to avoid this disaster? And why should you do the same? Decryption.
What should you NOT do?
To avoid a chimney fire, there are several rules to follow, all provided by the SDIS72 firefighters. For example, they advise against burning softwoods (in a wood stove or insert) and not to mix wood species. Moreover, the wood must be very dry, to avoid clogging of the conduitwhich causes the chimney fire. Other types of wood should be absolutely avoided, such as old furniture, varnished wood or colored pallets. Since the hearth is not a trash can, it is also strongly discouraged to burn waste, packaging, or any material other than firewood. Finally, and this is a matter of common sense: never leave your home with the stove or fireplace lit.
What behaviors should you adopt to avoid a chimney fire?
You now know what not to do, here are the important steps to take, from installation to maintenance. For installation, the firefighters recommend, of course, calling on a professional, who will respect safety standards. In addition, it will establish, ventilation, an absolutely essential accessory. In addition, and I have already told you this several times, you must have your conduit swept at least once a year, by a professional. Some departments even require chimney sweeping twice a year, check with your town hall. Any other tips? You must light your fire with firelighters intended for this purpose, and never use gasoline, white spirit, methylated spirits or any other flammable liquid! Finally, and it’s still a question of logic: close the door of your stove, or your insert, and move the rugs and curtains away from your hearth.
How to react in the event of a chimney fire?
A fireplace fire usually manifests itself by several characteristic signs : a pronounced burning smell, an unusual and intense noise in the exhaust pipe, as well as a large quantity of smoke escaping from the top of the pipe. It is also possible, and this is very serious, for flames to escape through the exterior duct. This is obviously the worst configuration, and you must contact emergency services (18 or 112) as soon as possible. If smoke has spread inside, evacuate all living beings, including pets of course!
If the fire remains limited, and to prevent its spread, you can use a sprayer (or a jet of water) and spray the duct from the inside. However, be careful, hot water vapor returns can be dangerous, be sure to move far enough away from the fireplace if you carry out this “rescue”. Were these tips helpful to you? Give us your opinion, or share your experience with us. Please notify us of any errors in the text, click here to post a comment.
More than 900,000 subscribers follow us on the networks, why not you?
Subscribe to our Newsletter and follow us on Google News and on WhatsApp so as not to miss any invention and innovation!