Heating Season Fire Safety

7/29/2019 Heating Season Fire Safety

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Home Heating

Fire Safety Issues

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE FIRE MARSHALS OFFICE


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Special thanks to the Vermont

Division of Fire Safety for providing

slides for the presentation


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BACKGROUND


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BACKGROUND FACTS

Heating remains the # 1 cause of structure fires in New

Hampshire.

During times of high fuel costs, we will likely see asignificant increase in fires and fire deaths.

Many older New Hampshire dwellings lack basic modernsafety devices. (Smoke Alarms and Fire Sprinklers)

We have already seen heating system related fire andcarbon monoxide deaths in New Hampshire this year.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, New Hampshire residents attempted toreduce their heating expenses by using more wood stoves and

alternative heating devices.

Data from NFPA indicates a 35,000- fire increase in one- and two-family dwelling heating fires from 1979 to 1980 alone.


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Stratford New Hampshire

March 25, 2008

Three fatalities

Improperly installed wood stove

Exit blocked by snow

Possibly non-functioning smoke detector

No residential fire sprinklers

Family could not afford heating oil


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Heating oil and gasoline costs continue to be high, New Hampshirecitizens are looking for alternative solutions to heating their homes duringthe upcoming winter season.

Many are again turning to space heaters, fireplaces and wood burningstoves to help save money, which can be effective cost saving alternatives,but also present significant fire dangers if not properly installed andmaintained.

We have already seen a big increase in wood and pellet stove sales overthis summer. It is projected that we will see also see an increase inresidential fires as well as carbon monoxide incidents because of theincreased use of alternative heating devices.

Our Current Situation


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In light of our current situation, the NewHampshire Division of Fire Safety and theVermont Division of Fire Safety, have joinedforces in an proactive educational approach toinform the citizens of both states about safetyprecautions, to keep their families safe andwarm.


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How can we prevent arepeatof what happened in the 80s ?

HOW DO WE PREVENT INJURIES, LOSS OF LIFE AND

PROPERTY DAMAGE ?

EARLY WARNING AND EDUCATION

Use Smoke and CO Detectors

Maintain Proper Clearances Maintenance of Equipment

Proper Venting of Appliances

Home Fire Sprinkler System


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WHAT WE ARE DOING ? Increased Inspections in residential properties

Improved fire safety Improved smoke detectors in residential properties

Periodic inspection of heating appliances

Public Education on heating safety - media

campaign Public EventsFire Prevention Education

Media PushPress Releases

Fire Safety information sections on the DFS webpage.

http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/firesafety/


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HEATING APPLIANCES


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Heating equipment is the

leading cause of home fires in

New Hampshire. Very often

heating related fires are theresult of improper installation,

a lack of maintenance, or simpleacts of carelessness.


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2007 New Hampshire Structure Fire Causes

Incendiary,

Suspicious

6%Exposure

0% Smoking

2%

Children Playing

0%

Heating

32%

Appliances, AC

2%

Electrical Distribution

2%

Open Flame, Ember,

Torch

4%

Other Equipment

1%Other Heat, Flame,

Spark

3%

Natural

2%

Unknown

22%

Cooking

24%


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Conventional Wood Stovesand Fire Place Inserts

Efficiency range: 54%

Manual ash cleanout

Manual stoking

Harmful levels of particulatematter and creosote buildup.


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EPA Certified Stoves

Catalytic Stove Lower Volatile Organic

Compound (VOC) andparticulate emissionscompared to conventionalwood stoves

Over firing will damagecatalytic converter

High maintenance

Manual ash cleanout

Manual stoking

Non-catalytic Multi-chamber Stove

Broader tolerance for temperature range

Manual ash cleanout

Manual stoking

Efficiency: 68%

Compared to conventionalwood stoves, EPA certifiedwood stoves are up to70% more efficient anduses 30% less wood.


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Catalytic Wood StovesCatalytic stoves. These stoves use a catalytic

combustor that operates on the same

principle as the catalytic converter in your

car.

Advanced combustion woodstoves provide a

lot of heat but only work efficiently when the

fire burns at full throttle. Also known as

secondary burn stoves, they can reach

temperatures of 1100F.

the firebox is insulated, which reflects heat

back to it, ensuring that the turbulent gasesstay hot enough to burn. New advanced

combustion stoves have advertised

efficiencies of 60%72%.


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Pellet Stoves


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Electric heatersEven though electric space heaters don't have an open flame, the heatingelements of some types of electric heaters are hot enough to ignite nearby

combustibles like draperies, paper, clothing, furniture, and flammableliquids. It is, therefore, important to check surrounding objects


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Un-Vented heatersUn-vented heaters are allowed in

New Hampshire

If a un-vented heater is used:

Must meet UL Standard 647 or ANSI Z21.11.2

Follow manufacturers instructions for operationand refueling.

Always provide adequate ventilation

Never refuel a kerosene heater when it is still hot.

Always refuel a kerosene heater outdoors awayfrom the house, never on a porch or in a garage.


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DFS PHOTO BY B. SUTHERLAND

Un-vented heater and LP cylinder in a condo in Killington VT


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NFPA 54 Chapter 10

Prohibits the installation of un-vented room

heaters in bedrooms and bathrooms Prohibits the use of un-vented room heaters

in Residential Board & Care and Health

Care Facilities

Un-Vented heaters


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NFPA 58 LP Gas Code

58.6.13

In areas where heavy snowfall is anticipated,

piping, regulators, meters, and otherequipment installed in the piping system shall

be protected from the forces anticipated as a

result of accumulated snow.


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CODES & STANDARDS FOR

WOODBURNING / LIQUIDFUEL HEATING


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NFPA 211-Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces,Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances

NFPA 31-Standard for the Installation of Oil-

Burning Equipment NFPA 54Fuel Gas Code

NFPA 58 - Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code

Manufacturers Instructions


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NFPA 211 Chapter 9 ChimneyConnectors and Vent Connectors

9.7.12 A connector serving a gas oroil appliance shall not be connected toa chimney flue serving a factory-builtfireplace unless specifically listed for

such installation.9.7.13 A connector serving a gas oroil appliance shall be permitted to beconnected to a masonry fireplace flue

if one of the following conditions ismet:(1) The fireplace opening is sealed.

(2) The chimney flue that vents the

fireplace is permanently sealedbelow


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NFPA 211 Chapter 9 Chimney Connectors andVent Connectors ~ 9.8 Interconnection.

9.8.1 Connectors serving appliancesoperating under natural draft shall not be

connected into any portion of amechanical draft system operating underpositive pressure.

9.8.2 Unless listed for such connection,solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be

connected to a chimney flue serving


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NFPA 211 9.8.3 Gas utilization appliances and appliances

burning liquid fuel shall be permitted to beconnected to one chimney flue through separateopenings or shall be permitted to be connectedthrough a single opening, provided they are

joined by a suitable fitting located as close aspracticable to the chimney and provided both ofthe following apply:

(1) Sufficient draft is available for the safecombustion of each appliance and for theremoval of all products of combustion.

(2) The appliances so connected are equipped

with primary safety controls and all appliances


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NFPA 211 Chapter 12 Solid Fuel-BurningAppliances

12.2 Location of Appliances.

12.2.2 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not beinstalled in alcoves or enclosed spaces less than

512 ft3 (14.5 m3) unless specifically listed for suchuse.

12.2.3 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be

installed in any location where gasoline or anyother flammable vapors or gases are present.

12.2.4 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be

installed in any garage.


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NFPA 211Chapter 12 Solid Fuel-BurningAppliances

12.3.1 Solid fuel-burningappliances shall be installed in alocation and manner so as to

provide ventilation andcombustion air supply to allowproper combustion of fuel,chimney draft, and maintenanceof safe temperatures.

12.3.2 Where buildings are sotight that normal infiltration doesnot provide the necessary air,

outsideair shall be introduced.


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A connector serving a gas oroil appliance shall not beconnected to a chimney flueserving a factory-built

fireplace unless specificallylisted for such

fuel-burning appliances shallnot be installed in alcoves or

enclosed spaces less than 512ft3 (14.5 m3) unlessspecifically listed for suchuse.

Solid fuel-burningappliances shall not beinstalled in any garage.

Solid fuel-burningappliances shall not be

installed in any location

where gasoline or any

other flammable vapors

or gases are present.

Additional Notes from NFPA 211


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Appliances listed for installation withclearances less than specified in Table12.6.1 of NFPA 211 shall be permitted tobe installed in accordance with the termsof their listing and the manufacturer's

instructions.

Additional Notes From NFPA 211


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SAFETY OF

WOODBURNING / HEATINGAPPLIANCES


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HEATING APPLIANCESCommon Issues

Clearance to Combustibles

Maintenance

Proper Installation

HEATING APPLIANCES


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HEATING APPLIANCESClearances


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the National Fire ProtectionAssociation (NFPA) has establishedguidelines for chimney connectors andclearances. In NFPA 211


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HEATING APPLIANCESCommon Issues

Flues and smoke pipes can constitute ahazard; both should be kept in good conditionand have adequate clearance from any

combustibles.

Flues should be cleaned annually andinspected for damage or holes. In addition,throughout the heating season, checks forcreosote buildup in the flue pipe.


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HEATING APPLIANCESMaintenance

To keep your wood- or pellet-burning systemoperating efficiently and safely, you'll need tomaintain it on a regular basis.

a certified chimney sweep should have theknowledge to help make sure your appliance,hearth, connecting pipe, air inlets, chimney, andall other components are functioning efficientlyand safely.


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Heating System

Maintenance Highlights

Every year, preferably before each heatingseason, have a certified chimney sweepinspect your wood-burning system.

In addition to cleaning the chimney, acertified chimney sweep should have theknowledge to help make sure your

appliance, hearth, connecting pipe, airinlets, chimney, and all other componentsare functioning efficiently and safely.

Chimneys and Stovepipes


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Chimneys and Stovepipes


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HEATING APPLIANCESSafety

Have equipment professionally installed

Make sure to have any fireplace and chimneyinspected that has not been used for any extendedperiod of time

Never leave fire unattended

Annual chimney inspection by certified chimneysweep

Proper spacing from upholstery, carpeting andfurniture

Apply appropriate precautions: keepchildren awayfrom operating stove


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OTHER HOME SAFETYISSUES


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Smoke Alarms-Its the Law

RSA 153:10-a Fire Protection and WarningDevices in Multi-Family Dwellings.

I. Each unit contained in a multi-unit dwelling shall be

equipped with automatic fire warning devices. On everyfloor level and in each common stairway and in eachcommon hallway of a multi-unit dwelling, there shall bean automatic warning device.

II. Every single family dwelling which is built orsubstantially rehabilitated after January 1, 1982, shallbe equipped with an automatic fire warning device.


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Smoke Alarms (Cont.)

II-a. Every rental unit as defined in RSA 153:1,IX-a shall be equipped with at least oneautomatic fire warning device. An automaticfire warning device shall be located in eachhallway or area which is adjacent to asleeping area. The provisions of thisparagraph shall be in addition to anyrequirements under paragraph II. The owner

of the rental unit shall be responsible formaintaining the automatic fire warning devicein a suitable condition.

NFPA 101 Life Safety Code


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NFPA 101,Life Safety Code2003edition

New One & Two Family Dwellings

24.3.4.1 Smoke alarms shall be:

1. Installed in all sleeping rooms in other than

existing one- and two-family dwellings.2. Outside of each separate sleeping area, in the

immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms.

3. On Each level of the dwelling unit, including

basements.4. They must be interconnected.

International Residential Building Code2006 has similar language.


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Carbon Monoxide Detectors

New Hampshire does not currently require

carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon

monoxide detectors are recommended bythe Division of Fire Safety.

Please support us when we move to change

that.


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Other Common Issues

Careless Use of Smoking

Materials and Matches.

Electrical Installations.

Flammable Liquids.

Housekeeping, Storage,

and Rubbish Hazards.

Fire Extinguishers.

Residential Automatic

Sprinkler Systems.


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Questions?


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This material was compiled by the New Hampshire andVermont Divisions of Fire Safety from a variety of sources

including

Consumer Product Safety CommissionUnited States Fire Administration

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Department of EnergyHearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Woodheat.orgAmerican Gas Association.

Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information CenterAmerican Red Cross

Underhill-Jericho Fire Dept. woodstove inspectionprogram

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