Chimney Fires

SCFR October Daily TrainingSCFR October Daily Training

Acknowledgements: FIREAcknowledgements: FIRE--MED Instructional & Consulting ServicesMED Instructional & Consulting Services

Chimney FiresChimney Fires�� Burns ExplosivelyBurns Explosively

�� Noisy, low rumbleNoisy, low rumble

�� Very high tempsVery high temps

�� PyrolysisPyrolysis

�� Cracks in thimbleCracks in thimble�� Cracks in thimbleCracks in thimble

�� Cracks in flue pipeCracks in flue pipe

�� Smoke damageSmoke damage

�� Roof DamageRoof Damage

�� Chimney DamageChimney Damage

Anatomy of a ChimneyAnatomy of a Chimney

More AnatomyMore Anatomy

Damage ChimneysDamage Chimneys

�� 2000 deg melts 2000 deg melts

masonrymasonry

�� Crack in TileCrack in Tile

�� Metal chimney hi heat Metal chimney hi heat

can warped seams can warped seams

and crackand crack

Response Response

�� It’s only a chimney fireIt’s only a chimney fire

�� Don’t assume anythingDon’t assume anything

�� THINK HOUSE FIRE!THINK HOUSE FIRE!

�� Response as house fireResponse as house fire�� Response as house fireResponse as house fire

�� Full assignmentFull assignment

�� Pull charged line to front Pull charged line to front

of house ready to goof house ready to go

Equipment neededEquipment needed�� Chimney BrushChimney Brush

�� Tarps Tarps

�� Metal trash canMetal trash can

�� Heavy Chain with metal Heavy Chain with metal cablecable

�� D/C ExtinguisherD/C Extinguisher�� D/C ExtinguisherD/C Extinguisher

�� Baggies with D/CBaggies with D/C

�� Small stove shovelSmall stove shovel

�� Booster line with chimney Booster line with chimney nozzlenozzle

�� TI CameraTI Camera

�� MirrorMirror

AssignmentsAssignments

�� Use ICSUse ICS

�� Stove CrewStove Crew

�� Roof/Chimney CrewRoof/Chimney Crew

�� Ventilation CrewVentilation Crew�� Ventilation CrewVentilation Crew

�� Support crewSupport crew

�� Accountability OfficerAccountability Officer

�� Safety OfficerSafety Officer

Job DutiesJob Duties�� Stove CrewStove Crew ––

�� Put F/R tarps downPut F/R tarps down

�� Open damperOpen damper

�� Use H20 Can to subdue fireUse H20 Can to subdue fire

�� Remove combustibles in Remove combustibles in Remove combustibles in Remove combustibles in

metal canmetal can

�� Remove Vent pipe if neededRemove Vent pipe if needed

�� Use D/C Extinguisher up Use D/C Extinguisher up

chimneychimney

Job Duties Job Duties -- ContinuedContinued

�� Chimney/Roof CrewChimney/Roof Crew

�� Use Plastic bags with DC Use Plastic bags with DC

to put out fireto put out fire

�� Use Booster line to Use Booster line to �� Use Booster line to Use Booster line to

extinguish fire with extinguish fire with

chimney nozzle (last chimney nozzle (last

resort)resort)

�� Remove creosote Remove creosote

buildup by chaining.buildup by chaining.

Job DutiesJob Duties

�� SUPPORT CREWSUPPORT CREW

�� Remove debris from Remove debris from

clean outclean out

�� Check for extension Check for extension �� Check for extension Check for extension

along chimney areaalong chimney area

�� Pull handlinePull handline

�� Support laddersSupport ladders

�� Help with ventilationHelp with ventilation

�� Vacuum around stove Vacuum around stove

area when done.area when done.

Safety ConcernsSafety Concerns

�� Full Protective Equipment Full Protective Equipment for everyonefor everyone

�� SCBA personnel working SCBA personnel working roof/chimneyroof/chimney

�� Use TI camera and look for Use TI camera and look for hot spotshot spotsUse TI camera and look for Use TI camera and look for hot spotshot spots

�� AccountabilityAccountability

�� Use Radios for Use Radios for communicationscommunications

�� Before use DC up stack Before use DC up stack communicate with personnel communicate with personnel on roof/chimneyon roof/chimney

Safety ConcernsSafety Concerns

�� Structural Integrity of Structural Integrity of Roof Roof

�� Inclement Weather Inclement Weather --Slips, Trips, Falls Slips, Trips, Falls Potential (Ground & Potential (Ground & Potential (Ground & Potential (Ground & Roof)Roof)

�� Account for personnelAccount for personnel

�� Tell home occupant not Tell home occupant not to use fireplace until to use fireplace until inspection.inspection.

Before You Go In Service…Before You Go In Service…

�� Monitor for Carbon Monitor for Carbon MonoxideMonoxide

�� Clean up your mess!Clean up your mess!

�� Cover up any holes Cover up any holes createdcreatedcreatedcreated

�� Tell home occupant not Tell home occupant not to use fireplace until to use fireplace until inspection.inspection.

�� Notify Red Cross if Notify Red Cross if sheltering is needed due sheltering is needed due to lack of heat source.to lack of heat source.

QUESTIONS????

BE SAFE – EVERYONE GOES HOME