A house fire on December 15, 2011 has been determined to have been caused by the improper installation of a flue liner according to fire investigators. A stainless steel flue liner was installed by an unlicensed and non-certified chimney sweep in 2008. The liner was not attached to the top of the metal heat-circulating fireplace as required by the fireplace manufacturer, and a large two-foot gap remained between the liner and the fireplace, exposing the brickwork of the chimney. Heat transferred to hidden wood framing behind the brickwork, which ignited. Over $50,000 in damages occurred to the home.
Pyrolization occurs to wood when it is exposed to heat over a period of time. The chemical change in the wood allows it to ignite at a lower temperature than normal. Pyrolized wood can ignite when exposed to temperatures as low as 180 degrees, while non-pyrolized wood ignites at 500 degrees.
According to Missouri State Fire Investigator Gene Padgitt of Padgitt Forensic Investigations, the fire would not have occurred if the liner had been properly installed by a qualified professional chimney sweep or chimney contractor. “Homeowners should always check the credentials of their chimney contractor prior to hiring them to do the work,” said Padgitt.
Most cities in the greater Kansas City area require that installers of flue liners and hearth appliances have a Master Mechanical License, otherwise known as an HVAC license, and pull a permit for the job. Check with your local building official to find out what your local codes are regarding flue liners. While Certification is not required in the K.C. area, it is a good idea to hire a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do sweeping, inspections, or repairs, and to hire an NFI Certified installer to install hearth appliances. The professional training received by Certified technicians is crucial when dealing with appliances that use fire for heating or ambiance. It is the goal of the Midwest Chimney Safety Council that all metropolitan cities in the Midwest will require Certification in the near future. To date, only a few jurisdicitons require licensing in the midwest region including Wichita,Kansas, Des Moines, Iowa, Franklin County, MO, Columbia, Missouri, and most cities in Jackson County, MO and Johnson and Wyandotte County, Kansas.
Tips:
- Find a Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org
- Find a Licensed Mechanical Chimney Contractor in the K.C. area at contractorlicensing.jocogov.org
- Find an NFI Certified Gas or Woodburning Specialist at www.nficertified.org
- Find a professional chimney sweep/contractor at the Midwest Chimney Safety Council web site at www.midwestcsc-org
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