Wood burners have cause 4 fires in a month

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 21:38

Sorry about the headline the its in Staffordshire the attached link gives advise on what to do to prevent it

At 7.30pm last night, crews from Stafford, including the aerial ladder platform, were called to the Tap and Spiles pub on Peel Terrace in Stafford after a wood burner caught fire.



The fire was extinguished and crews initially left the scene at 10.00pm then returned to reinspect at 11.50pm. There were no further signs of fire so they closed the incident at just before midnight.



At 8.30pm, crews from Tamworth were also called to a wood burner fire on Manor Close in Harlaston. The aerial ladder platform from Burton was also requested to tackle the fire from a height as access to the chimney internally was restricted.



They left the scene at 10.45pm.



At just before 8.00am this morning, Chase Terrace firefighters will called to a third wood burner fire. Firefighters tackled the fire at the Norton Lane in

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 21:39

Burntwood property before leaving the incident at just after 9.00am.



They will return to the property to reinspect later this morning.



At 10.10am this morning, crews from Brewood and Codsall were called to another incident involving a wood burner. They attended the property on Eastgate Road, Brewood to deal with the fire and give advice to the occupier. A free Home Fire Risk Check was also completed before they left the scene at 10.40am.



Station Manager, Mick Daniels said: "Due to the predicated bad weather today and over the weekend, more people will be using their wood burners and fires however what a lot of people don’t realise is that their chimney needs to be swept if they have not used their wood burner or fire for a while.

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 21:40

"We advise that people have their chimney swept at least once a year and this should take place before you plan to use the wood burner or fire. Wood burners are becoming much more common now however if you’re having a wood burner installed you still need to have your chimney swept and ensure a qualified installer fits the wood burner.



"Make sure you keep logs for wood burners and open fires dry and away from damp areas and that a fire guard is in place when open fires are in use.



"We would also like to remind people never to leave wood burners or fires unattended – if you’re going out or going to bed make sure you have properly extinguished wood burners and open fires or turned off gas and electric fires.

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 21:41

Further Tips:



• Burn dry seasoned wood, which produces more heat and also prevents soot (creosote) buildup. Flue vents should be inspected according to manufacturer guidelines, and cleaned as appropriate by a qualified individual.

• Keep the area around the heating unit and flue clear - Do not dry wood in front of the stove as this may accidentally catch fire.

• Place smoke detectors throughout the house (at least one in the room containing the wood stove) and test regularly.

• Children MUST be supervised at all times when wood stoves are in use.

• Other household venting appliances can diminish proper venting of your wood stove, causing possible smoke damage. During appliance installation, test all other appliances (bathroom fans, stovetop venting etc) to ensure that they don’t interfere with proper stove venting.

• Wood stoves should be safety tested.

• To start a fire in your wood stove; crumple up paper on the stove floor and

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 21:42

cover with small kindling. Open the draft/damper fully and light. Hold the door slightly ajar for a few minutes and then close tightly. Once the wood is burning brightly, add additional dry seasoned wood to the fire. Use the draft control to adjust the burn rate. Never light or rekindle a fire with petrol or charcoal lighter fluid.

• When re-fueling, open the door slowly to prevent smoke spillage.

• Ashes removed may contain live coals. Never use a vacuum cleaner to remove ashes. Place ashes in a metal container with a lid. Then, remove it outside, well away from anything that can burn. Allow it to cool thoroughly before disposing of it.

http://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/2027.asp

Ed1957


Joined: 03/09/2011
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 21:46

Thank you for posting, good advice

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 21:53

It certainly is. That's what we do here in Bavaria.

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 23:16

Any one heard the term COMMON SENSE.

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 23:27

We use a wood burning AGA for cooking,heating and hot water in the winter months, it is not rocket science to know you have the flue swept and not to leave a stove unattended.

Jonholmes


Joined: 08/11/2011
Posts: 184

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 23:30

If my wood burner only had a fire 4 times a month , I would send it back ,

hds.trnc


Joined: 26/05/2009
Posts: 175

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 14:11

also you should use a carbon monoxide detector....aplus last thıng at nıght when many people shut them down and the fuel smoulders...thıs can cause unburnt gasses to buıld up inside the chamber which may ignıte and you may even hear a thump or pop durıng ythe nıght..i ensure my stove ıs set so ıt burns the fuel completely and does not smoulder....