| Show I J uY v i w e z a NEW ADMINISTRATION building of Western Utah Fuels coal coalmine coalmine mine near Rangley across the Mine yard Entrance to the mine is out photo to the right Tanks which supply water for the mine and coal preparation plant can be seen on the ridge in the background Contractor for far Mine Buildings is Jacobsen Construction Company Inc of Salt Lake City Wood stoves are source of warmth and danger As the leaves start to tall fall and winters winter's cold chill draws closer by the day many Americans are unpleasantly reminded at that that-of their large winter heating bills As Asa a result more and more people have t turned to alternate forms of heating but the price paid for savings on fuel bills has been a dramatic increase in the number of residential fires in in- in injuries juries and deaths One of the most popular home heating alternatives is the stove Invented by Benjamin Franklin back in inthe inthe the mid wood stoves were cited last year as a direct cause in more than fires and deaths These figures are even more dramatic considering fires and injuries caused by oil and gas heating healing units are steadily decreasing In Oregon for example the state fire mar mar- marshal's marshal's office off ice reported that in 1981 87 of all heating equipment fires were caused by stoves Despite the risks scores of Americans are buying and installing stoves primarily because they are ef fec- fec tive in reducing heating bills Per unit of heat wood is less expensive than oil or orgas orgas gas And unlike a standard fireplace which tends to heat the air above the out out- outside side chimney wood stoves are much more efficient in heating rooms where they're located PROPER INSTALLATION A MUST percent of all ng stove fires are caused by faulty installation installation tion commented Donald Mann senior fire protection specialist in Aetna Life Casualty's Engineering Division Most people who buy wood stoves are looking to save money on their heating bills and they dont don't see the need to pay an expert to come out and install what looks like a simple operation The cold harsh truth Is that people dont don't realize what they're getting themselves into According to Mann one essential precaution is to have your chimney ex ex- ex examined by an expert for cracks loose masonry and other defects before in- in installing installing stalling a wood stove If you are connecting connecting ting a store bought chimney be sure it has recognized testing laboratory label If youre you're connecting the stove to an ex ex- ex existing fireplace you must seal off the chimney clow below the stoves stove's pipe entry This will prevent toxic gasses from back back- backing ing up into the room Mann said that it itis itis is dangerous to connect more than one heating device to a single flue Stove owners should follow detailed in in- in instructions to be sure that the stove pipes pipe's dimensions and materials are adequate for installation Ordinarily Mann ex ex- ex explained the pipe should not pass through a wall or ceiling As for hooking a stove pipe to masonry chimney you'll need to extend the con con- connector connector nector through the masonry wall of the chimney to the inner face of the flue liner but not beyond and cement it to the masonry with high temperature cement Here Here are some additional tips for stove connections and placement Conner the stove pipe as close and straight as p Possible to the chimney with connections properly secured If the pipe must have curves s limit them to one or two elbows If you are going to make the tion through a combustible wall the pipe must pass through a thimble or collar that will maintain at least an inch 18 clearance Make sure there is enough clearance between the stove and the floor ceiling and walls Place the stove on a fireproof base preferably made of brick masonry or concrete at least two inches thick Dont Don't place any bookshelves or other combustible objects near the stove Mann said that a good idea prior to us- us using usIng ing your stove is to have it checked by bya a fire marshal or building inspector to tomake tomake make sure it meets any city or town town or or- or ordinances for solid fuel heating units USING YOUR STOVE If you have a stove Mann emphasized that you should pay close attention to correct use Never start a fire with flammable fluids like gasoline kerosene or lighter fluid In- In Instead Instead stead put crumpled newspapers under kindling wood Once that fire has started larger logs can be placed in the stove Even if people Install them properly wood stoves are still a fire hazard Mann said Unsafe chimneys inadequate Inadequate quate clearances from combustible items toxic gas backups improper ventilation all can cause fires and injuries t 5 Tr Troubles involving wood stoVes usually start in the chimney Chimney fires are very common because most people dont don't keep their chimneys clean he added The best thing to do when a chimney fire strikes is to call the fire department first then close the stoves stove's door and the damper in the stove pipe Never throw water on the stove because that could cause the stove to crack and start a se- se second se- se second cond fire Mann explained Chimney fires start from a build up of creosote a thick black sticky residue which ignites by the heat of the fire Creosote forms from partially burned combustible material such as newspapers trash or wood that hasn't been properly seasoned To avoid a dangerous buildup of creosote in your chimney have it clean clean- cleaned ed at least once a year Mann also sug- sug suggested suggested it is wise to burn your stove hot once a day for a few minutes But dont don't make this the first fire of the day because a hot fire started In a cold stove could cause cracking Using the correct wood Is another sen sen- sen sensible sible practice that is often overlooked by bythe bythe the wood stove novice Well seasoned hardwoods are the most heat efficient and least likely to produce creosote SAFE AND SENSIBLE Mann said that Its It's a good idea for parents to take extra safety precautions such as placing a i barrier around the stove when children are in the house Wood stoves dont don't look hot to children he said so they need con con- continuous continuous reminders not to go near the stove Installed and used correctly woodbur- woodbur ning stoves are an effective way to reduce your fuel bills as well as supply supply- supplying supplying ing comfort and warmth for many a winter winter to come |
