Chimney and thatch fires

Fire info

Carbon Monoxide and solid fuel

Many people think that carbon monoxide only comes from gas appliances but the truth is that ANY fuel that burns creates carbon monoxide. The Guild Of Master Chimney Sweeps has published a leaflet to raise awareness of the dangers of solid fuel related carbon monoxide poisonings
click here to view the Carbon Monoxide safety flyer

Don't be part of the next uk fire statistics. Get your chimney swept every at least once a year.

UK fire statistics show that each year on average over 30 thousands houses have chimney fires.
This will be largely due to not getting the chimney swept often enough or burning fuel that is inappropriate for the appliance and causing tar to build up in the chimney.

Most insurance companies will no longer pay out for claims made due to chimney fires unless the chimney has been swept by a professional chimney sweep and a valid certificate of sweeping issued that is recognized by insurance companies.

Also if the fire brigade is called out due to a chimney fire and it is proven that the chimney has not been maintained the local council can bill you for the call out, and this has been known to be up to �2000 per fire crew.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE RISK? OR JUST GET THE CHIMNEY SWEPT.

To help prevent chimney fires

Last year alone 9000 chimney fires wrecked the homes and lives of homeowners in the uk. don't be a statistic, make sure you get your chimney swept and appliance serviced annually

Chimney fires can burn explosively - noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbors or passers by. Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney. Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight train or a low flying airplane.

However, those are only the chimney fires you know about. Slow-burning chimney fires don't get enough air or have enough fuel to be as dramatic or visible as their more spectacular cousins. But, the temperatures they reach are very high and can cause damage to the chimney structure - and nearby combustible parts of the house -

Chimney fires don't have to happen. Here are some ways to avoid them:

Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations)

Build smaller, hotter fires that BURN more completely and produce less smoke

Never BURN cardboard boxes, waste paper, or Christmas trees; these can start a chimney fire.

Burn Recommended fuels ONLY and NEVER use your fire as a waste paper bin.
It has been proven that this practice starts chimney fires.

Use only recommended fuels for your appliance and flue type(If you are unsure check your manufactures instruction or ask your stove supplier).

View information about thatch safety

What causes a chimney fire with reference to thatched properties, when a chimney liner is installed

1. Having a spark guard or similar on top, As soot will cling to a cold surface. As the cowl can not
be cleaned unless removed, And therefore should the cowl get sooty and catch fire then it could drop sparks onto the thatch.
2. If a chimney liner is installed into a very tarry chimney and the liner is installed in such a way that it comes close to this surface of the chimney, then the heat from the liner can cause the tar to spontaneously combust causing chimney fires.
3. If a chimney liner is not maintained by having it swept properly this can also cause a chimney fire.
4. When the heat traveling up the liner goes into the narrowing of the chimney, the heat from the liner can travel into the upper brickwork and out into the thatch causing graying of the thatch, when the graying reaches the air it will combust, again causing a thatched fire.
5. If register plates are installed from combustible material then this can also cause fires in properties.
6. By installing the wrong type of liner for the fuel type being used can cause chimney fires.
7. By burning unsuitable wet wood ( unseasoned ) in appliances can cause chimney fires.
8. By using the fire as a waste disposal means to burn household waste paper, etc.
9. If the flue liner is installed incorrectly

To help prevent chimney fires

1. Comply with building regulations and to make sure that the person undertaking the work is competent to undertake such work.
2. The best way to install a chimney liner into any chimney is to use the proper liner for the fuel type that the liner is serving.
3. To make sure that you have a regular sweeping program in place.
4. For the liner to be supported properly.
5. For the register plate and supports for same to be made from non combustible material preferably metal.
6. For the whole void of the chimney to be in filled with non combustible material ( micro fill or similar ).
7. For the liner to be finished off within the chimney as per manufacturers recommendations.
8. Remember that when a liner is fitted it should be easily accessible in order for it to be swept regularly.
9. For the liner to not have a spark guard or any cowl type fitted unless it is cleaned regularly.

Make sure you are aware of the frequency that your chimney must be swept in order to comply with your insurance policy.

Additional info

CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARM REGULARLY