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Wood Burning Stove Inspections
Every year thousands of people safely heat their
homes with wood. Unfortunately, some homes are
lost to fires caused by poor operation and maintenance
of home heating equipment. Although wood heat
is an economical and renewable heat source, poor
wood-burning practices can cause dangerous and
devastating home and chimney fires.
You can prevent fire losses
by following these simple precautionary measures:
- Professional Installation
Every stove or fireplace must be approved and
professionally installed. The following testimony
from a MAX Canada insured learned the hard way
when it came to professional installation of
their wood stove:
A retired couple had hired a local person
to install a woodstove in their finished basement.
Although he was not a professional, he did this
kind of work on the side to earn extra money
here and there.
One day, about mid-morning, a fire broke out
because the stove had insufficient clearance
between the stove pipe and wall joists.
A major fire loss
occurred as a direct result of improper installation.
The couples' bedroom was immediately above the
point of origin. The fire department indicated
that had the fire occurred while they were sleeping,
they would not have been able to safely escape
from the blaze.
After the loss, several local "handymen"
approached them to obtain the job of restoring
their home. The couple had been so emotionally
affected by "what could have been"
that they insisted on having a licensed professional
contractor complete their restoration.
- Maintenance
Use a professional to inspect and clean the
chimney to ensure that it is clear of obstructions
and creosote. All home heating equipment needs
to be maintained and operated properly in order
for it to function safely and perform most effectively.
- Clearance Maintain
proper clearance from combustibles. The TWO
FEET RULE is a good standard to keep all items
at least two feet away from the wood burning
stove. Never underestimate the power of stray
sparks or the radiating heat that could reach
items such as drapes or furniture.
- Usage Use only
seasoned hardwood. “Green” wood
is a name for soft and moist wood that burns
fast and creates creosote.
- Detection Devices
A stovepipe thermometer
is recommended to make sure that a wood stove
is operating at the right temperature.
Smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors are the best indicators to
warn you that a fire has started or that the
levels of oxygen are not correct.
Keeping a fire extinguisher
nearby will also help in preventing the fire
from spreading and causing more damage.
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