Logs in open fire place, large fire burning

Chimney Fire Safety for Businesses

If your business has an open fire, a chimney or a wood burner, you need to include this within your Fire Risk Assessment. 

Fuel

  • If you’re burning wood make sure it is well seasoned, which means it has been left to dry out for a long time allowing time for all the moisture to evaporate from the wood. Burning wet wood can cause water vapour to combine with other gases, particles and unless the chimney is kept warm, can create condensation, which makes a substance called creosote that hardens to form tar. This is extremely flammable and can lead to chimney fires. A useful tool to have is a firewood moisture meter, which will help to confirm that the wood you propose to use is indeed well seasoned and will let you gauge exactly how well seasoned it is. See below for further information on firewood moisture meters 
  • It is dangerous to use liquids like petrol or paraffin to light your fire 
  • Only use kindling or firelighters 
  • Never put paper or rubbish on your fire once it is burning as this can create floating embers that can land on surfaces and start a fire. They can also cause chimney fires

Firewood Moisture Meter

As stated previously, a firewood moisture meter is a useful tool to have, as it can help make sure you are purchasing and using well-seasoned wood. If you burn unseasoned wood this will tar up your chimney, increasing the risk of a chimney fire, as well as reducing the life of your woodburning stove and chimney.  

Burning unseasoned wood also results in high levels of particulates, which is bad for health. If using a wood burning stove how much heat it produces will depend on the moisture content of the firewood being used, which is a further reason why a firewood moisture meter is important. You should be able to purchase a firewood moisture meter from any good DIY store. 

Managing the open fire or wood burning stove

  • Use a fireguard or spark guard in front of the open fire and ensure inspection hatches and fuel loading doors are fully closed on wood burning stoves to prevent sparks or embers from catching surfaces like carpets 
  • Make sure he fire/stove is put out completely before the building is left empty, or in cases where people may sleep at the premises e.g. pubs, hotels, before people go to sleep 
  • Make sure manufacturers instructions are adhered to and recommendations followed 
  • If you have a solid fuel burner, install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm which detects odourless, poisonous, colourless gas and will prevent CO poisoning 
  • For wood burning stoves, you should be aware of what the appliance is rated to. Most modern wood burning stoves will have a data plate attached to the stove. This information will display the rating of the stove, but most importantly the temperature of the flue gases. Having an awareness of this important information will help you recognise when a stove is operating efficiently or not 
  • It is also recommended to have a temperature monitor on the stove pipe 
  • A suitable/sufficient fire alarm/detection system should be installed by a competent person The system should be interlinked to extend to roof spaces where required and tested, serviced and maintained 

Cleaning the chimney

If you have an open fire or wood burning stove, the chimney needs to be swept and flues inspected regularly by a competent person. A competent person will also be able to complete a full inspection and provide you with a certificate to show it has been completed. How often a chimney is cleaned and flues are inspected, depends on the type of fuel used. For further advice on this, contact a competent person such as a chimney sweep or specialist company.

Is the chimney structurally sound?

As well as ensuring your chimney/flue is swept/inspected regularly, you should also ensure it is structurally sound and well maintained. 

Is your chimney lined? There may be a risk the chimney could leak fumes, therefore it must be lined with suitable material. Only a competent certified engineer should install any lining.

Signs of a chimney fire

  • A loud roaring noise which happens when air is drawn in 
  • Sparks and flames shooting from the chimney to 
  • A glowing or vibrating appliance outlet or connector 
  • Flames visible through cracks in the outlet or connector 
  • Smell of smoke in other rooms 
  • A hot chimney breast or flue pipe 

Has your business premises got a thatched roof?

A number of thatched property fires start in the chimney. Thatch fires spread rapidly and can be extremely difficult to extinguish.  

 

Reducing the risk of fire from a chimney fire in a thatched property: 

  • Make sure you include the construction of the premises within your Fire Risk Assessment 
  • If you have a stove, use a stove pipe temperature gauge to help burn at a safe and efficient temperature 
  • Consider the type of fire in place. A stove type fire should be regularly checked by a competent person 
  • A chimney should be swept regularly by a qualified chimney sweep. How often depends on how often it is used and the type of fuel you are burning. A qualified chimney sweep will be able to give advice on this 
  • Make sure there is a chimney pot and that the top of the chimney pot is at least 1.8 metres above the thatch 
  • Line the chimney to prevent gases and sparks from reaching the thatch. This should be carried out by a competent person 
  • If you’re burning wood make sure it is well seasoned, which means it has been left to dry out for a long time allowing time for all the moisture to evaporate from the wood. Burning wet wood can cause water vapour to combine with other gases, particles and unless the chimney is kept warm, can create condensation, which makes a substance called creosote that hardens to form tar. This is extremely flammable and can lead to chimney fires 
  • A suitable fire alarm system should be installed by a competent person The system should be interlinked to extend to roof spaces where required and tested, serviced and maintained 

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