Since the beginning of the year through January 5, firefighters from Bolesławiec County have already extinguished chimney soot fires six times. In one of these fires, before the crews arrived, a wooden roof structure caught fire. The incident was probably caused by the impact of the high temperature of the heated chimney (with burning soot) on a wooden beam.
Let us remember that a flame is not necessary for a fire to start!
A chimney flue is used solely to discharge combustion gases, and any ignition of soot accumulated inside it is dangerous. During such fires, the chimney can crack, allowing flames, high temperatures and dangerous fire gases to enter the building through the gaps. Even if the chimney structure does not crack, its heated surface may still ignite combustible materials such as wooden roof framing, building furnishings (e.g. furniture), and paper packaging, cardboard boxes, books and other items stored in the attic.
Let us not allow soot to accumulate in chimney flues!
The most common causes of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning are blocked chimneys, defective ventilation, and faulty connections between heating appliances (furnaces) and chimneys.
Owners, managers or users of buildings where solid, liquid or gaseous fuel is burned are required to remove contaminants from smoke and flue-gas ducts:
- from furnaces fired with solid fuel (wood, coal, etc.) – at least once every 3 months
- from furnaces fired with liquid and gaseous fuel – at least once every 6 months
- from furnaces in collective catering establishments and food-service facilities – at least once a month.
Contaminants from ventilation ducts in the aforementioned buildings must be removed at least once a year.
More information about the causes of chimney fires is available on the website of the County Headquarters of the State Fire Service.
KP PSP Bolesławiec/ii