HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-11-18, Page 29HP Ilome a#d
WEDNFSD V NOVEMBER 18. 1987—PAGE 3B
BY TED SPOONER
Proper installation and regular
maintenance are the keys to safe in-home
use of wood or coal stoves.
For both do-it-youself projects and pro-
fessionil installations choose a stove that
has been tested and certified by the Cana-
dian Standards Association (CSA), Under-
writers' Laboratories of Canada (ULC) or
Warnock Hersey Professional Services. A
certification label is usually easy to find on
the stove. For optimum safety, stoves
should be installed carefully and in accor-
dance with the manufacturers
instructions.
Fire Prevention Canada and the In-
surance Bureau of Canada have prepared
a comprehensive pamphlet called "Wood
and Coal Stoves–a Primer on Safety." The
pamphlet provides information on types of
stoves, safe installation, and accessories.
It is available at the Goderich Fire Hall.
A 15 -minute film, "I'm Putting in a Wood
Burning Stove," illustrating the do's and
don'ts of safe stove installation is available
at any Insurance Bureau of Canada Office.
There are a wide variety of sizes and
types of wood and coal stoves on the
market. Choose the one that best fits your
particular application. A few types of
stoves include: radiant heaters which are
single walled and warmth comes from the
heated surface of the stove– a "pot bellied
stove is an example; circulating stoves
are double walled where warm circuating
air moves between the outer layer and a
heavy guage inner combustion chamber to
heat a room; combination stoves are ra-
diant heaters that are equally efficient
with the door open–for viewing of the fire–
or closed– a "Franklin" stove is an
example.
When choosing a stove it is best to con-
sult a dealer as to size and type.
Bill Hodgins of Goderich Home Hard-
ware said as long as instructions are
followed carefully a wood stove is "not dif-
ficult to install."
In terms of fire safety, the chimney is a
critical component. 1ne Goderich Fire
Department usually handles two or three
chimney fires per year, said Fire Cheif
Jack Meriam.
Chimney fires begin when when built-up
creosote ignites. Creosote is a highly
flamable substance that is a by-product of
combustion, especially from low-
temperature, slow -burning fires.
Creosote build-up occurs in any chimney
and preventative maintainance is
necessary. Chimnies should be inspected
before each heating season and should be
cleaned anually–at the end of the season.
Another way to reduce creosote is to burn
hot fires. To produce hot fires, frequently
load smaller amounts of wood with a good
air supply and use good, dry, well season-
ed, heavy hardwoods. Green wood has a
higher moisture content which is driven
from the wood, during burning, producing
creosote.
Nerver use gasoline, coal oil, motor oil,
machine oil or manufactured logs to start
a fire. Kindling, wood shavings, wood
chips and newspaper are the safest to use
when igniting a solid fuel.
It is also important to make sure, when
using an existing chimney that it is design-
ed for solid fuel use. A chimney used for
oil and gas would be unsuitable.
For do-it-yourselfers installing a new
chimney, follow manufactures instruc-
tions carefully regarding flue passage size
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Stovepipes should never be used as a
chimney. A single walled metal stovepipe
may only be used as a chimney connector
and cannot pass through a combustable
partition–ceiling, wall or floor. Stove
pipes should be a minimum of 18 inches
from walls or ceiling and should slope up-
ward at least one-quarter inch per foot,
allowing melted creosote to run back into
the stove where it will be burned.
Select the optimum location for the stove
before installing. Determine the size and
shape of the area, the heat loss of the area,
paying attention to the comfort of the peo-
ple using the area to be heated.
The stove should be installed to provide
access for cleaning and servicing. The
manufacturer's instructions specify the
distance the stove must be from walls, par-
titions and furniture. Distances vary bet-
ween different types of stoves.
Wood and coal stoves consume oxygen
from the interior of the home. Insufficient
air supply could cause asphyxiation.
Mobile homes, because they are tightly
sealed, are hazardous.
Even though many stoves have legs it
may be necessary to install it on a non-
combustable platform. Masonary bricks
four inches thick and hollow arranged so
that the hollow core allows air circulation
makes an excellent platform. Stoves may
also be installed on the ground or on a con-
crete floor.
–Always have a properly -maintained fire
extinguisher and smoke detector a
reasonable distance from the stove.
–Store wood and coal at least five feet
away from the stove. Keep wood chips and
bark clear of the stove. More than one
day's supply of wood stored in the home
should be kept in a separate room.
– Ashes should be removed frequently
from the stove. Ashes that appear cool
may still be hot – store them in a non-
combustable, covered container, until they
can safely be disposed of.
– A slow burning fire, which causes a
creosote build-up, followed by a hot fire
can cause a chimney fire. Try to maintain
a constant firing cycle.
–Follow manufacturer's instructions and
if any problems arise consult your local
fire department.
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