UK fire statistics show that each year on average over 31,000 houses have chimney fires. Around 9,500 of these cause damage to the property and great inconvenience to the home owner and their family.
This will be due in a large part 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. Badly installed appliances can also cause chimney fires, a certified sweep will be able to point out any problems with your installation if there is any.
As 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 recognised by insurance companies, it is especially important to make sure it does not happen to you. It is bad enough being an entry on the UK fire statistics but even worse if the insurance does not cover the bill.
To help prevent chimney fires
Chimney fires can burn explosively – noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbours 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. These types of fire will most likely cause damage. This damage may not be apparent and everything may seem fine. Do not use the appliance / chimney until a full survey has been carried out and a report produced (this applies even more to steel chimney systems).
These, however, 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. This 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) many suppliers also sell sawdust logs and other log substitutes that will help keep your chimney cleaner. We advise using logs with a water content of less than 20%.
- Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely.
- Never burn cardboard boxes, waste paper or Christmas trees; these can start a chimney fire as bits from them can get sucked up the flue and set fire to soot in the chimney.
- Burn Recommended fuels ONLY and NEVER use your fire as a waste paper bin. It has been proven that this practice starts chimney fires and produces toxic chemicals.
- Use only recommended fuels for your appliance and flue type (If you are unsure check your manufactures instruction or ask your stove supplier). Your local fuel merchant may also be able to give you advice.
- Extra information is available from insurance companies if you have a thatch property and it is very important to follow your insurance companies’ recommendations.
To help prevent chimney fires
- Comply with building regulations and to make sure that the person undertaking the work is competent to undertake such work. Lining chimneys in thatch properties is very specialist work. Make sure your engineer knows of the differences in the regulations for installations in thatched properties and those properties with non-combustible roof materials.
- 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.
- Make sure that you have a regular sweeping programme in place with a sweep who is trained and registered and can issue you with certificates.
- For the liner to be supported properly to keep it away from the sides of the chimney.
- For the register plate and supports for same to be made from non-combustible material, preferably metal, and be held in place with suitable fixing such as raw bolts, not plastic plugs that will melt in the event of a fire.
- For the whole void of the chimney to be in filled with non-combustible insulative material (micro fill or similar) or be well vented in accordance with the manufactures instructions.
- For the liner to be finished off within the chimney as per manufacturers recommendations.
- Remember that when a liner is fitted it should be easily accessible in order for it to be swept regularly.
- The liner should not have a spark guard or any cowl type fitted unless it is cleaned regularly. Please consult with your insurance company.
Make sure you are aware of the frequency that your chimney must be swept in order to comply with your insurance policy. Your certified sweeper may advise a more regular sweeping frequency than your insurance company requires depending on your situation and what they find in your chimney.
