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Safety
Why
should I get my chimney swept?
Across the country
last year over 9000 homes were destroyed by a chimney fire, it is
vital that your chimney should be swept in accordance with the table
below to help prevent chimney fires from occurring.
We must stress that the chances of a chimney fire are minimal providing
you don't neglect your flue and burn only the recommended fuels for your
appliance. Clean chimneys don't catch fire
What
would happen if my chimney caught fire?
There
are two types of chimney fires, those that burn explosively and
those that burn quietly.
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Fires
that burn explosively are noisy and are often detected by neighbours
or passes by. Dense smoke and flames may appear from the top of the
chimney and homeowners often report a low rumbling sound that
resembles a low flying aeroplane.
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Fires
that burn quietly are slow burning as they don't get enough air or
fuel to be as dramatic as the more explosive type. The temperatures
in which they can reach are very high which can cause damage to the
chimney structure and nearby combustible parts of the house.
How
do chimney fires damage chimneys?
If
a fire should occur in a masonry chimney, due to the very high
temperatures they reach, the mortar can melt, tiles can crack, which can
cause liners to collapse and damage the outer masonry material of the
chimney. Most often mortar is melted and tiles crack and displace
allowing a pathway for the flames to reach combustible parts of the
house. One chimney fire may not harm a home but the second could burn it
down.
What
can I do to help prevent a chimney fire?
There
are a number of things you can do to help prevent chimney fires.
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Ensure
your chimney is swept in accordance with the table below.
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Use
seasoned woods only.
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Build
small hot fires which burn more completely and produce less smoke.
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DON'T
burn cardboard boxes, waste paper or Christmas trees!
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Use
only recommended fuels for your appliance and flue type.
How
often should my chimney be swept?
The
frequency in which you need your chimney sweeping depends on which type
of appliance you are running, please use the table below to ensure your
chimney is being swept as often as it should be.
|
Type
of Appliance |
Chimney
Sweeping Frequency |
|
Gas |
Once
per year if designed for chimney sweeping |
|
Oil
Fired |
Once
per year |
|
Solid
Fuel |
Once
per year for smokeless fuel or twice per year for coal |
|
Wood
Burning |
Quarterly
when in use. |
Important
information
for landlords? It
is the responsibility of the landlord not the tenants to ensure that
solid fuel appliances are maintained and the sweeping of chimney flues
cannot be delegated to tenants.
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Telephone
01773 749 903