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

2. OBJECTIVES Significance of Chimney Fires.
NFPA 211 & Maine Woodburning Guide.
Chimney Construction.
What Causes a Chimney Fire?
Operations at Chimney Fires.

3. 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.

4. CODES & STANDARDS
NFPA 211
Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances.
Adopted by State of Maine
Enforceable by Law

5. CODES & STANDARDS Maine Woodburning Guide
Condensed code and wood burning guide.
Available free of charge to everyone.

6. CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION What is a Chimney? What is a Flue?
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.

7. CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION Masonry Chimneys Solid masonry Base Corbelling
                                
Masonry Chimneys
Solid masonry Base
Corbelling
Clay Tile Lined
Double Brick
Metal Inserts
“SupaFlue”

8. CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION
Solid Base
Corbelling

9. CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION
Clay Tile Lined
Double Brick

10. CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION
Metal Insert
MASONRY - SupaFlu

11. CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION Fireplaces Masonry Factory Built
Fireplace inserts

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

13. WOODSTOVES & THIMBLES Woodstoves Thimble
Fixed or removable ring, tube or lining.
Located where the connector passes through a wall to the chimney

14. CLEARANCES Interior Chimney Exterior Chimney Wood Stove Stove Pipe
2” from combustibles
Exterior Chimney
1” from combustibles
Wood Stove
36” from combustibles*
Stove Pipe
18” form combustibles*

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

16. CLEARANCE REDUCTION TABLE

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES
Engine Co. Tasks
Tools & Equipment
Locate Fire
Extinguish or contain Fire
Check Walls
Open up if need be
Water Supply

21. 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

22. 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

23. OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES
Command Notes
Great PR opportunity
Fire in a house
Explain to homeowner
Remember salvage covers/runners

24. PPE/EQUIPMENT Roof Operations Gear Interior Operations
Full Turnout Gear
Ladder/Escape Belt
SCBA
Porcupine/weights
Interior Operations
SCBA (breathing if CO/smoke present)
TIC
Chimney Kit
Extinguisher

25. SUMMARY & QUESTIONS Summary Questions? Significance Codes Operations
Public Relations
SOG
Questions?