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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