Chimneys can be a dangerous and destructive hazard in the home. Flammable materials, such as creosote, will build up and ignite unless you clean your chimney. These fires can quickly spread and cause significant fire damage to your home, putting your family’s safety at risk. While most homeowners are aware of the need to keep their fireplace clean and safe, many don't realize just how easily a chimney fire can start.
What Causes Chimney Fires?
The cause of chimney fires is most commonly the accumulation of creosote, a highly flammable substance that forms from burning wood. When creosote buildup in the flue reaches a certain point, it can ignite from the heat of the fire in your fireplace or wood stove. Once creosote ignites, it burns at extremely high temperatures and can cause the chimney to ignite. The heat generated by a chimney fire can reach 2,000°F (CSIA), which is much hotter than the normal temperatures seen in your fireplace or stove.
Creosote will build up faster with the use of wet wood or unseasoned wood in your fireplace. They also produce more smoke and can lower your enjoyment of a cozy fire.
How to Prevent a Chimney Fire
One of the best ways to prevent a chimney fire is by ensuring the chimney is clear of combustible materials. Regular chimney cleaning removes creosote and soot while reducing the risk of ignition. Using a chimney cap helps keep debris, nests, and other flammable materials from entering the chimney from the top, further reducing the risk of a fire. Cleaning the firebox and flue also maintains proper airflow and your fire will burn more efficiently. This also helps regulate temperatures and prevents excess heat buildup that can lead to combustion.
Chimney and Fireplace Maintenance
The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends having your chimney inspected annually by a certified chimney sweep. This is to ensure your chimney is free of dangerous creosote buildup, other debris and is properly sealed to channel smoke out of the house. The inspection should include a thorough look at the chimney flue, firebox, and chimney structure to identify any potential hazards, such as cracks in the masonry or flue.
How to Put Out a Chimney Fire
If you believe you have a fire in your chimney, act quickly and safely.
1. Call the fire department. Chimney fires can spread quickly, and you’ll want trained professionals to handle the situation.
MOVE YOUR FAMILY TO A SAFE DISTANCE ACCORDING TO YOUR FIRE ESCAPE PLAN
If safe to do so, you may choose to proceed with these additional steps:
2. Put out the fire in the fireplace with water. Water will soak the fuel to prevent it from reigniting.
3. Activate your Element extinguisher and throw it into the fireplace/box. The vapor from Element will fill the chimney and extinguish the fire from within.
4. Cut off the airflow to the fire by closing the damper. This can slow the fire and reduce oxygen, making it harder for the chimney fire to spread.
Do not try to put out a chimney fire on your own. Firefighters are trained to handle the intense heat and high-risk conditions associated with chimney fires. In many cases, a chimney fire can spread to the sides of your chimney or even to other areas of your home.
Why Element Works For Chimney Fires
After Element has been started, it will continue discharging on its own. There is no trigger to hold, so once you strike the tip and throw Element right into the fireplace, the discharge will rise up the chimney and chemically interrupt the chain of combustion. The vapor will fill the chimney as it rises, extinguishing as it goes.
Remember, step number 1 is to call the fire department. Using Element will help slow (and perhaps stop) the fire until professional help arrives.
