Response%20to%20CHIMNEY%20FIRES

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Response to CHIMNEY FIRES
Buxton Fire-Rescue

• Strategic and Tactical Considerations while
  responding too Chimney Fires

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OBJECTIVES

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

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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.

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CODES STANDARDS

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

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CODES STANDARDS

• Maine Woodburning Guide
• Condensed code and wood burning guide.
• Available free of charge to everyone.

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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.

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CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

• Masonry Chimneys
• Solid masonry Base
• Corbelling
• Clay Tile Lined
• Double Brick
• Metal Inserts
• SupaFlue

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CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

• Solid Base

• Corbelling

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CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

• Clay Tile Lined

• Double Brick

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CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

• Metal Insert

• MASONRY - SupaFlu

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CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

• Fireplaces
• Masonry
• Factory Built
• Fireplace inserts

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CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION

• Metal Chimneys
• Manufactured
• Listed
• Homebuilt
• Unlisted
• Cast Iron
• Steel
• Can be single walled, double walled

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WOODSTOVES THIMBLES

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

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CLEARANCES

• Interior Chimney
• 2 from combustibles
• Exterior Chimney
• 1 from combustibles
• Wood Stove
• 36 from combustibles
• Stove Pipe
• 18 form combustibles

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CLEARANCE REDUCTIONS

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

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CLEARANCE REDUCTION TABLE
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WHAT CAUSES A CHIMNEY FIRE?

• Creosote
• Unburned particles of wood and condensed flue
  gases which deposit on the chimneys interior
• Factors affecting Build-Up
• Residence Time
• Smoke density
• Stack (chimney) Temp.

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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

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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

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OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES

• Engine Co. Tasks
• Tools Equipment
• Locate Fire
• Extinguish or contain Fire
• Check Walls
• Open up if need be
• Water Supply

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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

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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

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OPERATIONS AT CHIMNEY FIRES

• Command Notes
• Great PR opportunity
• Fire in a house
• Explain to homeowner
• Remember salvage covers/runners

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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

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SUMMARY QUESTIONS

• Summary
• Significance
• Codes
• Operations
• Public Relations
• SOG
• Questions?