A wood burning fireplace or stove presents not only comfort but certain responsibilities. Many homes in America are returning to the use of wood burning fireplaces and stoves. Homeowners need to be aware, however, that there are still many safety and maintenance issues involved in wood burning.
Wood burning facts
- The best wood to use is cordwood that has been seasoned and protected from the weather for six months to one year. This wood ignites faster and is 25% more efficient. Green wood has too high of a moisture content for satisfactory use.
- Wood split before storing to season dries in less time and burns more evenly.
- Smaller pieces of wood burn cleaner because they have more surface area exposed to the flame.
Principal DO’s and DON’Ts.
- DO make sure there is enough clearance between the stove and combustible materials,including floors, walls, and ceilings.
- DO make sure that your stove is made of sturdy, suitable material such as cast iron or steel.
- DO place the stove on a noncombustible, fire-resistant base.
- DO burn only dry, well-seasoned wood.
- DO place a screen in front of the fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from escaping onto the rug or furniture.
- DO have a pair of heat-proof gloves and the right fireplace implements ready in case you have to pick-up a red hot ember that has fallen out of the fireplace.
- DO keep the fireplace damper fully open when the fireplace is in use.
- DO use a grate to hold logs in place to prevent them from rolling out.
- DO dispose of ashes by soaking them in water and placing them in a closed metal container outside of the dwelling.
- DO have a mason or other competent person inspect the chimney.
- DO make sure working smoke alarms are installed on each floor of your home.
- DO keep the chimneys clear of tree limbs and debris.
- DON’T store combustible items near your stove or fireplace. Most items will absorb radiant heat and will ignite easily.
- DON’T use your wood burning stove for cooking.
- DON’T overload the fireplace.
- DON’T start a stove fire with flammable fluids, such as gasoline.
- DON’T let a wood fire burn unattended or overnight.
- DON’T leave your children unattended near your stove or fireplace.
- DON’T burn coal. Coal burns hotter than wood and may be a fire hazard.
- DON’T burn pressure treated wood, painted wood, drift wood, particle board, plywood, plastic, magazines, colored paper, gift wrap, cardboard, or garbage.
- DON’T use artificial logs that are created for fireplaces only.
Maintenance
Before heating season, have your chimney checked and cleaned by a professional Chimney Sweep. This should be done more frequently if your fireplace or stove is used on a regular basis. A professional will not only clean out soot and creosote buildup, but he or she may also check for cracks or other problems in your chimney. Checking your chimney on your own may result in damage to the chimney lining.
Wood Stove Information
Steps can be taken to improve the efficiency of your wood stove by as much as 50%:
- Look for and purchase stoves listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or other recognized independent testing laboratories. Certified stoves are more efficient and also reduce smoke emissions by as much as 90%.
- The stove needs to be the right size for its location and use. Stoves that are smaller usually burn cleaner and use less fuel. If a stove is too large for its area, you may have a fire hazard.
- Make sure the stove is properly installed. Local building codes must always be followed.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards call for a 36 inch clearance from walls, partitions, and all combustible items, including furniture.
- Stoves that have less than two inches of ventilated open space beneath the unit should never be installed on combustible floors or have any combustible material under them unless the material is permitted.
- Floor protection should extend out 6-12 inches from the sides and back of the stove and 18 inches from the front where the stove is loaded.
- The chimney should extend at least 3 feet above the highest point where it passes through the roof and 2 feet above any portion of the building within 10 horizontal feet of the chimney.
- Cover the chimney outlet with an approved mesh screen spark arrester.
- Never physically alter any fireplace or chimney parts.
- If you install the wood stove your self, have your work inspected a by local fire or building inspector.
- 4. Install a stack thermometer on the stove flue. The optimum range for most efficiency and least pollution is 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
