Chimney Fires
Instructor: Dan Braitsch
Student Performance Objective
Given information from discussion, handouts, and
reading materials, the student will be expected to
describe the breakdown and anatomy of a chimney
fire. The student will review causes of chimney fire
inception, possible hazards associated with chimney
fires and subsequent safety considerations, and
methods of chimney fire extinguishment. The student
will review the role of the fire ground personnel in
mitigating a chimney fire incident.
Overview
■Characteristics of chimney fires
■Chimney anatomy and assemblies
■Causes and reasons for damaged chimneys
■ICS and fireground operations at chimney fire
incidents
■Safety and accountability
■Extinguishment
■Salvage and overhaul
Chimney Fires
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Burns explosively
Noisy, low rumble
Turbulent Smoke
Very high temps
Cracks in thimble
Cracks in flue pipe
Smoke damage
Roof /Attic damage
Chimney damage
Anatomy of a Fireplace
Anatomy of a Pellet Stove
Anatomy of a Wood Burning
Stove
Anatomy of a Wood Burning
Stove Insert
Pre-Fab Chimneys
■
Check for extension
■
■
■
■
■
Top of stove
Along metal flue /
welds
At Fire stop
Within Chase and
Chase Cover
At the termination
Cap
Creosote Formation
Damaged Chimneys
■
■
■
■
2000 degrees F will
start to break down
masonry work
Brick and mortar
integrity will fail
Cracks in Terracotta
lining will form
Metal Chimneys –
high heat will warp
seams and crack welds
Response
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Is it only a chimney fire?
Don’t assume anything
THINK HOUSE FIRE!
Respond as house fire
Full assignment / box
Officer to do a complete
360
Pull charged line to front
of house ready to go
Equipment Needed
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Chimney Brush
Tarps / Runners
Metal salvage bucket
D/C Extinguisher
Baggies with D/C
Small stove shovel
TI Camera
Mirror
Positive Pressure Fan
Heavy Chain with Metal
Cable (old way)
Assignments
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Use ICS
Incident Command
Safety Officer
Fire Attack Crew
Roof/Chimney Crew
Ventilation Crew
Exposure Crew
Job Duties
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Fire Attack Crew
Put F/R tarps down
Open damper
Use DC to subdue fire
Remove combustibles in
metal can
Remove vent pipe if
needed
Use D/C Extinguisher
up chimney
Job Duties
■
■
■
■
■
■
Chimney/Roof Crew
Use Plastic bags with DC
to put out fire
Check integrity of
chimney
Check exposure to roof
Two means of egress
Full PPE and SCBA
Job Duties
■
■
■
Ventilation Crew
Sets up positive
pressure fan
Creates appropriate
openings for
movement of
dangerous materials
Job Duties
■
■
■
■
■
■
Exposure Crew
Check for extension
along chimney area
Check attic/second
floor for extension
Pull back up handline
Support ladders
Help with ventilation
Safety
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Full Protective Equipment
for everyone
Personnel working
roof/chimney have SCBA
Use of Aerial Device
Use TI camera and look for
hot spots
Accountability
Use radios for
communications
Work in teams of two or as a
group, no freelancing
Extinguishment
■
■
■
■
■
Extinguish & remove
fuel from firebox
D/C in bags dropped
down chimney
D/C Extinguisher
from the base of flue
PPV forced D/C up
chimney
Chimney chain (old
method)
Remove Fuel
■
■
■
Extinguish fire in
firebox, let steam rise
Carry fireplace
contents in salvage
bucket outside and
ensure extinguished
Close draft stop
Dry Chemical Bags
■
■
■
■
Dropped from top of
chimney
Bag melts as it
descends
Releases powder into
flue
Powder then carried
upward
Extinguisher from base of flue
■
■
■
■
Open draft stop and
insert nozzle,
discharge upward
Heat / Natural Vent
carries D/C up
May initially intensify
fire with opening of
draft stop
Messy
PPV forced D/C up chimney
■
■
■
■
Locate seat of fire in
flue using mirror
Close other openings
within structure
Cover firebox
opening and start
PPV fan
Create small opening
and discharge D/C
What's Wrong with this Picture?
Termination
■
■
■
■
Check for hot spots
Proper Overhaul, no
rekindle. Make sure all
fire is out. Cover open
holes, Salvage
Account for personnel
Tell home occupant not
to use fireplace until
inspection.
Student Performance Objectives
Given information from discussion, handouts, and
reading materials, the student will be expected to
describe the breakdown and anatomy of a chimney
fire. The student will review causes of chimney fire
inception, possible hazards associated with chimney
fires and subsequent safety considerations, and
methods of chimney fire extinguishment. The
student will review the role of the fire ground
personnel in mitigating a chimney fire incident.
Review
■Characteristics of chimney fires
■Chimney anatomy and assemblies
■Causes and reasons for damaged chimneys
■ICS and fireground operations at chimney fire
incidents
■Safety and accountability
■Extinguishment
■Salvage and overhaul
Be Safe
Everyone Goes
Home