Swept Away à la 'Mary Poppins'

Swept Away à la 'Mary Poppins' A fire breaks out and destroys a single-family home. There are different combinations of fireplace and chimney systems. Others are lightweight metal chimneys and metal fireboxes commonly known as prefabricated, zero-clearance, or factory-built fireplaces. Hybrids exist, so precise inspections and detailed knowledge of fireplaces is necessary. Masonry fireplaces can be large structures, and as a result of their weight, settlement and rotation are common problems to be evaluated. There can be open gaps in the area created by settlement or during construction, which may permit fire or heated gases to travel into a wall cavity, contacting adjacent combustibles. Fireplace fires can burn as hot as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, igniting inappropriately exposed combustibles. A Level II inspection is more detailed and more expensive, as it includes examining accessible areas in crawl spaces, basements, and attics. Unfortunately, states currently don't certify chimney sweeps; one need only obtain a small business license from the authority having jurisdiction to supply homeowners their services. Hence, some sweeps are qualified, and some are not. The chimney and firebox should be examined for damage, as joints in the firebox and chimney system can expand and contract based on usage. Factory-built fireplaces became readily available in the last 25 to 30 years and are commonplace today. Installation manuals must be obtained to ensure the original installation of these fireplaces met the listing requirements. If the clearance is incorrect, nearby wood may dry out over time and lower the ignition temperature of the adjacent combustible framing. If this process continues unabated, a fire can result. The Chimney Sweep - "Jack of All Trades, Master of None?" It is critical for homeowners to have their fireplace systems cleaned and inspected annually or after any sudden/unusual event, including a chimney fire, earthquake, or lightning strike. A Level I inspection is performed for continued operation of the system without a change of use and when a replacement appliance of the same fuel and efficiency is being connected. It also typically includes an annual system evaluation. As noted above, a Level I inspection is limited to easily accessible portions of the venting system to include portions of the connected appliance. Levels of Inspection - "A Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down?" NFPA 211 separates inspections into three levels, and circumstances at a home can impact whether or not a level should change. An on-scene site inspection was performed with the sweep in attendance. Digital photographs of the existing chimney system were taken to include down-the-flue. Here at the time of the inspection, shortly after the fire, it was clear that the smoke chamber in the fireplace system had a creosote-caused fire. Unknown was that the sweep was unable to view the entire smoke chamber when he performed his services 10 months prior. He could not see into several areas in the smoke chamber in order to ensure it was creosote-free. Sweeps also check for proper clearance from combustibles in these places. A homeowner ought to be advised of the need for the change, as well as the increase in cost. However, a Level II inspection does not include removal of a building's permanent parts, such as chase covers, wall coverings, or siding. The sweep must adhere to the applicable NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances. This standard may be adopted by the jurisdictional authority as a mandatory code for sweeps to follow. However, if it isn't adopted as a code, it is still recognized as the standard of care to assess if the chimney sweep performed work properly. The most basic inspection per NFPA 211 is Level I. Thus, almost anyone can offer chimney sweeping services even though they are untrained and inexperienced. Applicable building codes require that factory-built fireplaces be installed in full accordance with the manufacturer's specifications/listing. Chimney fires are extremely dangerous and pose a serious risk of harm to occupants together with concurrent property damage. The most comprehensive and detailed system evaluation can be a Level III inspection, which normally includes accessing concealed areas of the building. A Level III inspection covers the entire areas included in a Level I and Level II inspection. Guidelines to Assess Sweep Work - "Look Out for Admiral Boom" The CSIA supplies a certified chimney sweep program, and those who voluntarily get certified know they are expected to follow CSIA guidelines. If a homeowner declines, the sweep should note the refusal in writing on his invoice/report and recommend the system not be used until a more detailed inspection is conducted. Examples of when a Level II inspection is recommended include sale or transfer of property; before a flue is relined; change of an appliance with a dissimilar type, efficiency, or rating; and after an operating malfunction or external event likely damaged the chimney, such as a fire. This level is used when the conditions of use for the appliance are changing or when a Level I inspection discloses the need for a more rigorous examination. Swept Away à la 'Mary Poppins' Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 28/03/2012