South Portland Fire Department Training Division Chimney Fires

OBJECTIVES Significance of Chimney Fires. Chimney Construction. What Causes a Chimney Fire? Operations at Chimney Fires.

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 Chimneys Solid masonry Base Corbelling Clay Tile Lined Double Brick Metal Inserts “SupaFlue”

MASONRY CHIMNEYS

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION Metal Chimneys –Manufactured Listed –Homebuilt Unlisted –Cast Iron –Steel Can be single walled, double walled…

METAL CHIMNEYS

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

WHAT CAUSES A CHIMNEY FIRE? Creosote

WHAT CAUSES A CHIMNEY FIRE? Defects and/or damage to the Chimney

Response Box Assignment –1 FT Engine Company (E-8 or Sq-4) –1 FT Ladder Company (E-5) –2 Call Engines –1 Call Ladder Company (East End) –1 Rescue

First Engine Try to drive by building to see three sides giving access to front of building for Ladder Co Officer will walk around to the forth side to complete size up, assume Mobile Command and begin operations All members will be in full PPE including SCBA

First Engine Tools –Thermal Imaging Camera –Flashlights –APW –4 Gas Meter / CO Meter –Tool Box –Chimney bucket w/ mirror and shovel –Floor Runner (Tarp)

First Engine Tasks Spread runner/tarp near stove Extinguish fire in stove / fire place Remove burnt material (wood/ash) Prepare to remove stove/insert if needed Officer will check or assign someone to check walls and upper stories for extension w/ camera May need to stretch a dry 1 3/4 line Assigned as Division 1 (assuming fire place is on floor 1)

Ladder Company Park and prepare to make a set to the chimney If there is not a good set, then will need to place ground & roof ladders for access All members will be in full PPE including SCBA Ladder Co Officer and Firefighter will climb to chimney and prepare to chain the chimney if ordered They will be as assigned as Roof Group

Ladder Company Tools –Chimney Chain –Flashlights –Mirror –Misc. Tools (Pliers, Screwdrivers)

Ladder Company Tasks Access to roof & chimney Access to flue Clear Blockage Check roofline where the chimney passes through

Rescue Park away from scene (available to leave if needed) All members will be in full PPE including SCBA Assist First Engine crew as needed, most likely checking the walls on upper floors in the area of the chimney for heat/extension May be assigned Search Group

Rescue Tools –Thermal Imaging Camera –Flashlights –Hand Tools –4 Gas Meter / Co Meter

2nd Due Engine Take nearest hydrant and prepare water supply if needed Officer will assume Command of Manpower Group He/She will make sure all arriving firefighters are assembled with full PPE and SCBA Will assign crews to tasks as requested by Command (with proper tools / equipment)

3rd due Engine Park at staging (2nd due Engine) Assemble crew with full PPE and SCBA Report to Manpower Officer

Manpower Assignments Assign a crew to basement to locate and control clean out (take mirror, bucket, shovel, APW and flashlights) Assign a crew to spread additional salvage covers as needed (around stove / fire place and in basement) before chaining chimney Assign crew to check house with 4 gas meter Assign crew to set up fans (PPV or smoke ejectors) as needed

Safety Most chimney fires occur in the winter which potentially means snow and ice Beware of slip hazards around building and especially on the roof Always wear gloves (cuts and burns) Always wear your mask on roof and eye protection inside around chimney

Game Plan Extinguish remaining fire in stove / fireplace Remove fire wood Check for extension Gain access to chimney and clean out if they have one Chain chimney if blocked or large build up Assure fire in chimney is extinguished Clean out all soot Advise home owner to contact profession chimney cleaner for an actual cleaning (we did not clean) prior to future use Pick up and clear scene

Issues Chimney inserts (converts a fireplace to a stove) usually need to be removed due to problems with “shelf”, you will spend more time chaining and working to extinguish the fire then if you just removed the insert in the first place Be careful with “purple K bombs” If there is not a lot of fire you are going to want to open them prior to dropping them An option is to use a dry chemical extinguisher and the chimney’s natural draft to assist in extinguishing the fire “Bombs” and dry chemical’s will make a major mess if not careful Water use in chimney should be limited!

Summary Everyone has an assignment prior to arrival and should under normal response plan on completing that assignment Do not rush, the fireplace/stove and chimney are designed for fire/smoke –As long as there is not extension take your time Taking extra steps in the beginning may save you time in the end (removing fire place inserts for example)