Fire Awareness:
Certain areas around the home are at risk for fire and easy to prevent. Routine evaluation and preventive maintenance can lower the risk as well as some good common sense.

Dryer Vent:
Some area such as the dryer vent should be made from metal and never the more commonly seen vinyl dryer vent. As lint builds up in the dryer vent is can reduce the heat dissipation and allow for a build up of heat at the dryer vent connection. The lint accumulation makes for an easy source for fire to start and the vinyl can catch fire and quickly spread in the wall.

To reduce the potential install an appropriate metal vent and routinely check the vent connection at the dryer and the vent hood for lint accumulation, clean as needed. The vent should be as short of a run as possible and preferably horizontal or down run to the outside. Though vertical is acceptable it is more likely to accumulate and trap lint.

Fireplace:
Any wood burning fireplace of woodstove should be serviced and cleaned annually. The accumulation of creosote makes for an easy fuel source for fire to spread. The more recent codes from the NFPA require the firebox and flue to be virtually air and water tight so creosote cannot escape from the internal flue liner or firebox. Older flue liners were allowed to have exposed bricks at the shelf and were more liberal with the flue liner. Only burn seasoned wood as green wood can produce higher levels of creosote.

Storage:
Limit storage of flammable chemicals, gasoline and combustibles such as paper and cardboard from areas adjacent to a flame source such as a furnace, water heater, fireplace, etc. Remove combustibles from areas adjacent to incandescent light fixtures in closets and other storage areas due to the heat build up and potential damage to the bulb which could expose electrical conductors.

Kitchen:
Speaking form personal experience I had our toaster catch a bagel on fire and the flames were in contact with the bottom of the wall cabinet. So when in use pull all small appliances out from below combustible wall cabinets or install a non-combustible surface to the bottom of the cabinet.

Electrical:
Don’t over fuse a circuit. This is where the fuse or breaker is a higher rating than the wiring; the breaker may not trip in the event of over current and could result in fire. The was very common with older fuse panels as it is much easier to install a 20 amp fuse where a 15 is required. If you have an older fuse panel some insurance companies won’t insure if one is still present. There are fuses which are tamper resistant where only a fuse with the proper rating will function.

If you have aluminum single strand branch wiring which was commonly install from the 60s-the 70s evaluation of all devices and connections is a must. As the connections expand and contract oxidation can develop, which results in excessive heat and the potential for fire. There are several recognized methods for repair from UL listed devices, to pig-tailing with copper using COP/ALUM connectors and UL listing purple IDEAL 65 wire nuts. The have been some concern with the IDEAL 65 wires nuts and some evidence of failure and concern with fire.

Don't use regular speaker wire when running inside of wall cavities or duct plenums. Be sure to request plenum rated wiring for speaker wire for this usage.

You may want to consider putting in ARC fault interrupters in your breaker panel to add a level of safety in the event of a short circuit at a power cord or appliance. the 2011 NEC will require ARC fault interrupters in more areas than the current code.

Prevention:
You should install fire extinguishers where they are readily accessible near you kitchen and furnace room.

Install smoke detectors in all bedrooms, halls, top of stairs and other occupied areas. •Change the batteries annually.

•Have any combustible fixtures that burn any fuel serviced annually by a professional.

•Install carbon monoxide detectors in all building that burn a fuel source or have an attached garage.

Stephen Showalter

Showalter Property Consultants

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