Page 6 University Daily Kansan, April 8, 1980
Byproduct might ignite Fireplaces may be firetraps
By STEPHEN BLAIR Staff Reporter
April has turned cold and wet and so more people are piling wood into their fireplaces and stoves.
But many do not realize how to burn wood safely, Larry Hess, a chimney sweep, RFD 1 in Clinton, said yesterday. RFD
"A lot of people don't 'think fireplaces can catch fire,' he said. "You're dealing with a different heating system than people in this century are used to."
Fireplaces, stoves and chimneys can catch fire because of the buildup of creosote, a flammable, oily liquid, he said.
Cressote formed by burning wood is "condensation of vapor, moisture and wood." Hess said.
Creosote created from burning wood is different from industrial creosote created from coal tar, he said.
Although periodic cleaning of a chimney is important, improper use causes accidental fires, too, he said.
When someone is using wood for fuel, a hot fire is better than a low-smoldering fire because a cool chimney inside a dresser can燥 inside a dome.
"Burn a couple of good hot fires during the day," he said. "It's better to let the store do some work."
Because of a nationwide increase in accidental woodfires, a local ordinance to regulate the installation and use of wood-fuel systems is being prepared, Harley Garvey, building inspector for Lawrence, said.
Gover, who is preparing the ordinance, said it should be ready for submission to the city commission before next fall.
"The national statistics have been rather scary," Gover said. "The occurrence of wood-energy fires between 1974 and 1987 percent. People are just not aware."
"That's 90 percent of my job," Hess said. "Educate yourself about your stove and its operation. Every stove is equipped with different kinds of stoves we have now."
HESS, WHO sometimes advises Gover, said that people's lack of awareness had led him to try to educate him whenever he cleaned their chimneys.
In addition to preparing a wood-fuels ordinance, Gover said, he would be giving talks to various local groups, including Firewolf firefighters.
One of the biggest dangers is the installation of fireplaces too close to windows.
"I Improper maintenance on old chimneys that weren't lined is another problem," he said. "The masonry has deteriorated, and the bricks are loose."
They seem to think that just because a chimney is there, it's OK to use it.
"Year before last, there were about 100,000 fires that were directly related to wood fuels. Eight-three percent of these were improper installation and operation."
People are unaware that there are so many different factors that influence safe operation of a stove or fireplace, Hess said.
"Where your fuel is located in your house makes a big difference." he said.
A fule that runs through the center of the house will stay warm from room heat, and creosote will not condense inside it so quickly, he said.
"If it's on the north side of the house
on the outside, it different," he said.
Then, creosote will form inside the cool chimney more quickly, he said.
During the first stage of formation, creosote is a fine, powdery soil. Then, in the second stage, it begins to form clay and eventually build up to a third stage.
"Then, it's a real oily, tarry sort of stuff that bakes on like enamel," Hess said. "It doesn't ignite quite as easily, but it gets going, it burns with abandon."
If people paid attention to what they were doing, a wood-fuels ordinance would be written.
"I don't think they're planning to
increase the butter, but they're not planning to
to her."
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