No matter if you heat with a fireplace or wood stove the most important chimney fire prevention step is to keep creosote build-up to a minimum. When heating with wood, creosote is going to occur naturally but there are practices to follow for keeping that build-up down. Some precautions include burning properly seasoned firewood, only burning hardwoods, regular cleaning, and annual inspections or repairs. Keeping your chimney working efficiently will help to keep the chances of a chimney fire occurring low. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that creosote is likely the cause of a quarter of all home heating fires in the United States. Over 21,000 home heating fires were the result of a chimney fire in the United States during 2012. Prevention is key, however if a chimney fire does occur it is best to be ready to act quickly!
Act Calmly but Quickly
When a chimney fire occurs remain as calm and level headed as possible! The very first thing you should do is notify the local fire department so they can respond quickly. After making that call the second thing you should do within minutes of the fire igniting is grab a Chimfex Fire Suppressant. Chimfex is the one proven, inexpensive, and safest way to battle a chimney fire. It is a quick effective alternative to traditional firefighting using water. Water damage associated with chimney fires can also cause extensive and expensive damage to your home.
Why use Chimfex Fire Suppressant
Chimfex Fire Suppressants are designed to be used in all fireplaces and wood stoves no matter the size. They are even good to be used in chimneys that have large flue openings. Compared to other fire suppressants, Chimfex produces more black smoke to cut off the oxygen supply to the fire and quickly smother it out. The way the Chimfex Fire Suppressant works it that the smoke and particles emitted from it displace the oxygen in the flue, thus suffocating the chimney fire and lowering the temperatures with in the chimney flue. Chimney fires can restart because of the residual creosote that remains even after the flames have been snuffed out. For that reason, Chimfex Fire Suppressant have been designed to continue to produce fumes for the next few minutes to make sure the fire does not ignite again. But I recommend keeping 2-3Chimfex Fire Suppressants on hand just to be safe.
Tested and Proven Effective
Chimfex has been extensively tested for both use in wood stoves and open fireplaces by OMNI Environmental Services Incorporated, a lab used by the chimney safety institute of America, to prove the effectiveness of Chimfex in chimney fires simulated to mimic a typical chimney fire. In one study the flue temperature during the chimney fire reached 1200 degrees F. at the height of the chimney fire. A single Chimfex was used to extinguish the fire. The chimney fire was extinguished in about 22 seconds and the temperature with in the flue dropped 53% in 2 minutes. Each chimney fire situation will be unique but that OMNI Lab data does prove that Chimfex is capable of safely, quickly, and effectively extinguishing a chimney fire when used correctly.
A Chimfex Fire Suppressant is Easy to Use
To activate a Chimfex Fire Suppressant first remove the black top from the white cap to expose the scratch surface on the cap. Then twist and remove the white cap from the Chimfex exposing the black igniter button. Face the Chimfex Fire Suppressant away from yourself lightly strike the scratch surface on the igniter button on the head, just like striking a match. Once lit quickly lay it in the firebox to the side of the fire if possible. It will begin emitting particles and smoke (that should avoid being inhaled).
Denying Oxygen to the Fire
You will be starving the fire of oxygen so it is vital that whether you have a fireplace or wood stove you are denying the fire fresh oxygenated air once the Chimfex Fire Suppressant has been activated. If the fire is able to get oxygen supplied to it then it will continue to burn getting hotter and hotter. Cut off all air flow to the fire! For a chimney fire occurring in a wood stove you will place the Chimfex Fire Suppressant to the side of the fire and shut the door completely. Leave this shut until the fire department arrives. For a traditional fireplace without doors you will want to have a piece of flame resistant fabric or pre-cut fireboard to cover the fireplace opening. You can use tape to hold the barricade in place.
Chimney fires are dangerous, so make sure you’re prepared in the event you have one. Having at least one Chimfex Fire Suppressant on hand could be the difference between a contained chimney fire and the complete loss of your home or business. Protect your home and your family by using Chimfex, the product that’s used by homeowners, professional firefighters and chimney sweeps nationwide!