Home Heating

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• Home Heating
• Fire Safety Issues

NEW HAMPSHIRE DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY
NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE FIRE MARSHALS OFFICE
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Special thanks to the Vermont Division of Fire
Safety for providing slides for the presentation
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Division of Fire Safety
BACKGROUND
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BACKGROUND FACTS
In the 1970s and early 1980s, New Hampshire
residents attempted to reduce their heating
expenses by using more wood stoves and
alternative heating devices. Data from NFPA
indicates a 35,000- fire increase in one- and
two-family dwelling heating fires from 1979 to
1980 alone.

• Heating remains the 1 cause of structure fires
  in New Hampshire.
• During times of high fuel costs, we will likely
  see a significant increase in fires and fire
  deaths.
• Many older New Hampshire dwellings lack basic
  modern safety devices. (Smoke Alarms and Fire
  Sprinklers)
• We have already seen heating system related fire
  and carbon monoxide deaths in New Hampshire this
  year.

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Stratford New HampshireMarch 25, 2008

• Three fatalities
• Improperly installed wood stove
• Exit blocked by snow
• Possibly non-functioning smoke detector
• No residential fire sprinklers
• Family could not afford heating oil

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Our Current Situation

• Heating oil and gasoline costs continue to be
  high, New Hampshire citizens are looking for
  alternative solutions to heating their homes
  during the upcoming winter season.
• Many are again turning to space heaters,
  fireplaces and wood burning stoves to help save
  money, which can be effective cost saving
  alternatives, but also present significant fire
  dangers if not properly installed and maintained.
  
• We have already seen a big increase in wood and
  pellet stove sales over this summer. It is
  projected that we will see also see an increase
  in residential fires as well as carbon monoxide
  incidents because of the increased use of
  alternative heating devices.

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Division of Fire Safety

• In light of our current situation, the New
  Hampshire Division of Fire Safety and the Vermont
  Division of Fire Safety, have joined forces in an
  proactive educational approach to inform the
  citizens of both states about safety precautions,
  to keep their families safe and warm.

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How can we prevent a repeat of what happened in
the 80s ?

• HOW DO WE PREVENT INJURIES, LOSS OF LIFE AND
  PROPERTY DAMAGE ?
• EARLY WARNING AND EDUCATION
• Use Smoke and CO Detectors
• Maintain Proper Clearances
• Maintenance of Equipment
• Proper Venting of Appliances
• Home Fire Sprinkler System

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WHAT WE ARE DOING ?

• Increased Inspections in residential properties
• Improved fire safety
• Improved smoke detectors in residential
  properties
• Periodic inspection of heating appliances
• Public Education on heating safety - media
  campaign
• Public Events Fire Prevention Education
• Media Push Press Releases
• Fire Safety information sections on the DFS web
  page.
• http//www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/firesafety/

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Division of Fire Safety
HEATING APPLIANCES
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Heating equipment is the leading cause of home
fires in New Hampshire. Very often heating
related fires are the result of improper
installation, a lack of maintenance, or simple
acts of carelessness.
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Conventional Wood Stoves and Fire Place Inserts

• Efficiency range 54
• Manual ash cleanout
• Manual stoking
• Harmful levels of particulate matter and creosote
  buildup.

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EPA Certified Stoves

• Non-catalytic Multi-chamber Stove
• Broader tolerance for temperature range
• Manual ash cleanout
• Manual stoking
• Efficiency 68

• Catalytic Stove
• Lower Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and
  particulate emissions compared to conventional
  wood stoves
• Over firing will damage catalytic converter
• High maintenance
• Manual ash cleanout
• Manual stoking

Compared to conventional wood stoves, EPA
certified wood stoves are up to 70 more
efficient and uses 30 less wood.
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Catalytic Wood Stoves
Catalytic stoves. These stoves use a
catalytic combustor that operates on the same
principle as the catalytic converter in your
car. Advanced combustion woodstoves provide a
lot of heat but only work efficiently when the
fire burns at full throttle. Also known as
secondary burn stoves, they can reach
temperatures of 1100F. the firebox is
insulated, which reflects heat back to it,
ensuring that the turbulent gases stay hot enough
to burn. New advanced combustion stoves have
advertised efficiencies of 6072.
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Catalytic combustors need to be inspected at
least three times every heating season and
replaced according to the manufacturer's
recommendations. The catalytic cell is
removable and replaceable and costs between 75
and 160. Because a lot of energy can be wasted
burning wet wood, you should use wood that has
been properly seasoned. Properly seasoned wood
is harvested in the spring and allowed to dry
throughout the summer. Look for wood that is of
even color, without any green. It should have a
moisture content of just over 2025 by weight.
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Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves. Some stoves burn fuel pellets
manufactured from wood or other biomass. With a
pellet stove, you load batches of fuel into a
hopper. A motorized auger, controlled by a dial
or thermostat, then moves the pellets into the
stove as needed. A small fan controls air flow in
the combustion process. Pellet stoves, like the
other stove types, have advantages and
disadvantages. a pellet stove is often cheaper
to install than a cordwood-burning heater. Many
can be direct-vented and do not need an expensive
chimney or flue. As a result, the installed cost
of the entire system may be less than that of a
conventional wood stove.
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Pellet appliances are more complex and have
expensive components that can break down. They
also require electricity to run fans, controls,
and pellet feeders. For pellet-fuel appliances,
it is very important to follow the manufacturer's
instructions for operation and maintenance.
Inspect fans and motors regularly, and maintain
them properly.
You can check pellet fuel quality by inspecting
the bag for excessive dirt and dust. (Dirt can
form clinkers in the stove.) There should be less
than one half of a cup of dust at the bottom of a
40 pound (18 kg) bag. Pellet stoves designed for
low-ash (typically top-fed stoves) tend to
operate poorly when used with pellets of a higher
ash content.
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Electric heaters
Even though electric space heaters don't have an
open flame, the heating elements of some types of
electric heaters are hot enough to ignite nearby
combustibles like draperies, paper, clothing,
furniture, and flammable liquids. It is,
therefore, important to check surrounding objects
Only use heaters with the Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) safety listing. Read and follow
all instructions in the owner's manual. The
heater should be placed on the floor, away from
combustible materials, and out of high-traffic
areas. Never put anything on top of your space
heater. Never leave the heater unattended or
with unsupervised children. Electric heaters
should be unplugged if you go to bed or leave the
house. Plug the heater directly into the wall.
Don't use an extension cord, Don't overload your
outlets. do not insert more than two plugs into
one outlet.
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Un-Vented heaters

• Un-vented heaters are allowed in
• New Hampshire
• If a un-vented heater is used
• Must meet UL Standard 647 or ANSI Z21.11.2
• Follow manufacturers instructions for operation
  and refueling.
• Always provide adequate ventilation
• Never refuel a kerosene heater when it is still
  hot.
• Always refuel a kerosene heater outdoors away
  from the house, never on a porch or in a garage.

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Un-vented heater and LP cylinder in a condo in
Killington VT
DFS PHOTO BY B. SUTHERLAND
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Un-Vented heaters

• NFPA 54 Chapter 10
• Prohibits the installation of un-vented room
  heaters in bedrooms and bathrooms
• Prohibits the use of un-vented room heaters in
  Residential Board Care and Health Care
  Facilities

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NFPA 58 LP Gas Code

• 58.6.13
• In areas where heavy snowfall is anticipated,
  piping, regulators, meters, and other equipment
  installed in the piping system shall be protected
  from the forces anticipated as a result of
  accumulated snow.

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Division of Fire Safety
CODES STANDARDS FOR WOODBURNING / LIQUID FUEL
HEATING
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• NFPA 211- Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces,
  Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances
• NFPA 31- Standard for the Installation of
  Oil-Burning Equipment
• NFPA 54 Fuel Gas Code
• NFPA 58 - Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code
• Manufacturers Instructions

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NFPA 211 Chapter 9 Chimney Connectors and Vent
Connectors

• 9.7.12 A connector serving a gas or oil
  appliance shall not be connected to a chimney
  flue serving a factory-built fireplace unless
  specifically listed for such installation.
• 9.7.13 A connector serving a gas or oil
  appliance shall be permitted to be connected to a
  masonry fireplace flue if one of the following
  conditions is met
• (1) The fireplace opening is sealed.
• (2) The chimney flue that vents
  the
• fireplace is permanently sealed
  below
• the connection.

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NFPA 211 Chapter 9 Chimney Connectors and Vent
Connectors 9.8 Interconnection.

• 9.8.1 Connectors serving appliances operating
  under natural draft shall not be connected into
  any portion of a mechanical draft system
  operating under positive pressure.
• 9.8.2 Unless listed for such connection, solid
  fuel-burning appliances shall not be connected to
  a chimney flue serving another appliance.

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• NFPA 211
• 9.8.3 Gas utilization appliances and appliances
  burning liquid fuel shall be permitted to be
  connected to one chimney flue through separate
  openings or shall be permitted to be connected
  through a single opening, provided they are
  joined by a suitable fitting located as close as
  practicable to the chimney and provided both of
  the following apply
  
• (1) Sufficient draft is available for the safe
  combustion of each appliance and for the removal
  of all products of combustion.
• (2) The appliances so connected are equipped
  with primary safety controls and all appliances
  are located in the same room.

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NFPA 211 Chapter 12 Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances

• 12.2 Location of Appliances.
• 12.2.2 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not
  be installed in alcoves or enclosed spaces less
  than 512 ft3 (14.5 m3) unless specifically listed
  for such use.
• 12.2.3 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not
  be installed in any location where gasoline or
  any other flammable vapors or gases are present.
• 12.2.4 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not
  be installed in any garage.

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NFPA 211 Chapter 12 Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances

• 12.3.1 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall be
  installed in a location and manner so as to
  provide ventilation and combustion air supply to
  allow proper combustion of fuel, chimney draft,
  and maintenance of safe temperatures.
• 12.3.2 Where buildings are so tight that normal
  infiltration does not provide the necessary air,
  outside air shall be introduced.

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Additional Notes from NFPA 211

• A connector serving a gas or oil appliance shall
  not be connected to a chimney flue serving a
  factory-built fireplace unless specifically
  listed for such
• fuel-burning appliances shall not be installed in
  alcoves or enclosed spaces less than 512 ft3
  (14.5 m3) unless specifically listed for such
  use.

• Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be
  installed in any garage.
• Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be
  installed in any location where gasoline or any
  other flammable vapors or gases are present.

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Additional Notes From NFPA 211

• Appliances listed for installation with
  clearances less than specified in Table 12.6.1 of
  NFPA 211 shall be permitted to be installed in
  accordance with the terms of their listing and
  the manufacturer's instructions.

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Division of Fire Safety
SAFETY OF WOODBURNING / HEATING APPLIANCES
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HEATING APPLIANCES Common Issues

• Clearance to Combustibles
• Maintenance
• Proper Installation

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HEATING APPLIANCES Clearances

• A common hazard is the storage of combustible
  materials where they can be ignited by heat
  radiated by a furnace, stove, or other heating
  appliance.

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the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
has established guidelines for chimney connectors
and clearances. In NFPA 211
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HEATING APPLIANCES Common Issues

• Flues and smoke pipes can constitute a hazard
  both should be kept in good condition and have
  adequate clearance from any combustibles.
• Flues should be cleaned annually and inspected
  for damage or holes. In addition, throughout the
  heating season, checks for creosote buildup in
  the flue pipe.

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HEATING APPLIANCES Maintenance

• To keep your wood- or pellet-burning system
  operating efficiently and safely, you'll need to
  maintain it on a regular basis.
• a certified chimney sweep should have the
  knowledge to help make sure your appliance,
  hearth, connecting pipe, air inlets, chimney, and
  all other components are functioning efficiently
  and safely.

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Heating System Maintenance Highlights

• Every year, preferably before each heating
  season, have a certified chimney sweep inspect
  your wood-burning system.
• In addition to cleaning the chimney, a certified
  chimney sweep should have the knowledge to help
  make sure your appliance, hearth, connecting
  pipe, air inlets, chimney, and all other
  components are functioning efficiently and safely.

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Chimneys and Stovepipes
A chimney is a critical part of your wood heating
system. It carriers smoke out of the house, and
creates the suction or draft necessary to draw
air to the fire. A well designed chimney allows
the stove to operate cleanly, producing a minimum
amount of smoke and creosote. Chimney height is
critical to creating proper draft and meeting
fire codes. The chimney should extend at least
three feet above the point where it exits the
roof, and should be a minimum of two feet higher
than any part of the roof within ten feet. All
chimneys require regular inspection for
deterioration and creosote buildup. The chimney
should be inspected and cleaned at least once a
year, as often as biweekly if you use your wood
stove daily.
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HEATING APPLIANCES Safety

• Have equipment professionally installed
• Make sure to have any fireplace and chimney
  inspected that has not been used for any extended
  period of time
• Never leave fire unattended
• Annual chimney inspection by certified chimney
  sweep
• Proper spacing from upholstery, carpeting and
  furniture
• Apply appropriate precautions keep children away
  from operating stove

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Division of Fire Safety
OTHER HOME SAFETY ISSUES
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Smoke Alarms-Its the Law

• RSA 15310-a Fire Protection and Warning Devices
  in Multi-Family Dwellings.
•     I. Each unit contained in a multi-unit
  dwelling shall be equipped with automatic fire
  warning devices. On every floor level and in each
  common stairway and in each common hallway of a
  multi-unit dwelling, there shall be an automatic
  warning device.
•     II. Every single family dwelling which is
  built or substantially rehabilitated after
  January 1, 1982, shall be equipped with an
  automatic fire warning device.    

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Smoke Alarms (Cont.)

• II-a. Every rental unit as defined in RSA 1531,
  IX-a shall be equipped with at least one
  automatic fire warning device. An automatic fire
  warning device shall be located in each hallway
  or area which is adjacent to a sleeping area. The
  provisions of this paragraph shall be in addition
  to any requirements under paragraph II. The owner
  of the rental unit shall be responsible for
  maintaining the automatic fire warning device in
  a suitable condition.

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NFPA 101,Life Safety Code 2003 edition

• New One Two Family Dwellings
• 24.3.4.1 Smoke alarms shall be
• Installed in all sleeping rooms in other than
  existing one- and two-family dwellings.
• Outside of each separate sleeping area, in the
  immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms.
• On Each level of the dwelling unit, including
  basements.
• They must be interconnected.
• International Residential Building Code 2006 has
  similar language.

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Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• New Hampshire does not currently require carbon
  monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors
  are recommended by the Division of Fire Safety.
• Please support us when we move to change that.

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Other Common Issues

• Careless Use of Smoking Materials and Matches.
• Electrical Installations.
• Flammable Liquids.
• Housekeeping, Storage, and Rubbish Hazards.

Fire Extinguishers. Residential Automatic
Sprinkler Systems.
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Questions?
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This material was compiled by the New Hampshire
and Vermont Divisions of Fire Safety from a
variety of sources including Consumer Product
Safety Commission United States Fire
Administration National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency U.S. Department of Energy Hearth, Patio
Barbecue Association Woodheat.org American
Gas Association. Minnesota Department of
Commerce Energy Information Center American Red
Cross Underhill-Jericho Fire Dept. woodstove
inspection program
Thank You
Have a Fire Safe Day