The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a special safety alert today concerning chimneys used for woodburning stoves and fireplaces. While the Commission is aware of house fires associated with both masonry and metal factory-built chimneys, this safety alert is particularly aimed at consumers who have metal factory- built chimneys attached to their stoves.
An estimated 22,500 house fires each year are associated with metal factory-built chimneys connected to wood and coal burning stoves. The CPSC urgently warns consumers to be aware of the potential fire hazard associated with these chimneys.
Now that the nation is reaching the end of the 1982/1983 heating season, the Commission strongly urges consumers, if they have a stove or fireplace connected to a metal chimney, to check for any damage that may have occurred in the past few months. Now is the time to identify any damage and have it repaired.
Most fires in metal factory-built chimneys occur because of improper installation, use or maintenance. The Commission staff is aware of the following causes of fires:
Improper chimney installation causing ignition of nearby wood framing.
- Structural damage caused by creosote burning in the chimneys; - (Creosote is a tar-like substance that forms in chimneys from burning wood.) - Chimney corrosion resulting in exposing wood framing to excessive temperatures; - Buckling and collapsing of inner liners of chimneys. (This can result from too hot a fire, especially in high-efficiency stoves and in fireplace inserts.) |
Masonry chimneys can also present a fire hazard when the inner tile liner and the surrounding brick or block structure cracks and separates. This condition may be brought about by the ignition of creosote. Hot flue gases then can escape through these cracks and ignite nearby combustibles.
The Commission stresses that even when heating appliances are properly installed, consumers should frequently check the chimneys for deposits of creosote, soot, or other obstructions, or signs of physical damage. This should be done as often as twice per month if deposits of creosote build up rapidly. If the consumer suspects a problem or has experienced a chimney fire, qualified chimney cleaners, or "chimney sweeps", should be contacted immediately to conduct a complete safety inspection of the chimney. Any necessary repairs should be made before the chimney is used again.
The Commission advises consumers to:
- Be sure that the chimney installation and chimney interconnections were done correctly in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer and local building codes; - Have the chimney check by a competent chimney sweep at least once a year, more frequently if the chimney receives heavy use, for example, if it is used as a primary heat source for the home. |
On January 19, 1983, the Commission approved a federal safety rule that will require the manufacturers of wood and coal burning stoves and free standing fireplaces to provide a label with information on the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of their products.
Consumers who have had fire incidents with their metal chimneys and who wish to provide this information to the Commission should call the Commission's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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