Chimney fires

muckybutt

john1 wrote: »

I called my insurance company on Monday pm and received the following email re radio show

>I double checked with our claims department after your call and they
> confirmed the following:
>
> A chimney fire will be treated as a FIRE PERIL regardless of whether it has
> been swept or not. There is no requirement for a chimney sweep to be
> affiliated to any particular body.
>
> kind regards

During my initial tel call the contact center operator said I have never heard of mandatory chimney sweep certification. As far as I know we don't require one, but will check with management. She also observed that it seem to be a scare tactic by some trade body.

Thats news to my ears John, thank you for your input :T

john1

muckybutt no problem -as they have been around since 1710 I guess they know a thing or two

Moneysava_wannaB

john1 wrote: »

I called my insurance company on Monday pm and received the following email re radio show

>I double checked with our claims department after your call and they
> confirmed the following:
>
> A chimney fire will be treated as a FIRE PERIL regardless of whether it has
> been swept or not. There is no requirement for a chimney sweep to be
> affiliated to any particular body.
>
> kind regards

During my initial tel call the contact center operator said I have never heard of mandatory chimney sweep certification. As far as I know we don't require one, but will check with management. She also observed that it seem to be a scare tactic by some trade body.

same here, nothing in my terms and condition either about sweeping a chimney

Raksha

Despite having her chimney swept twice a year, and never burning the 'wrong' materials, my late MIL used to have chimney fires on a regular basis, as did her neighbours. It eventually turned out that a floor joist protruded into the chimney and was catching fire......

alleycat`

muckybutt wrote: »

Sand will only put the fire out in the hearth not in the chimney

Fair point.
I'd assume you'd want the fire in the stove out too but i agree it wouldn't put the chimney fire out directly.

abwsco

muckybutt wrote: »

Its yet another money making scheme imo registering with a "body" it puts prices up and theres always added expence for the sweep and customer.

I did think that! Have also read elswhere rumours of HETAS wanting all wood suppliers to register with them.

BEAT_THE_DEBT

I didnt know you are not suppose to burn palletts?? We have been untreated ones though/

Williwoodburner

BEAT_THE_DEBT wrote: »

I didnt know you are not suppose to burn palletts?? We have been untreated ones though/

We have been burning broken pallets, fenceposts, and various other types of waste wood together with well seasoned logs for over 40 years and have never had a problem.
Infact im sure I have seen on one stove website that - "nothing beats old pallet wood" sorry cant recall which stove maker it was.
I would agree though it is not wise to burn chipboard, old worktops or any heavily painted wood.
Especially do not burn old railway sleepers, they are full of tar and will likely cause a chimney fire.
Most important thing in my opinion is that the wood is well seasoned and dry.
:money:
Sometimes the Elf n Safety brigade get carried away, after all one of the reasons most people buy a stove is to save cash, if all you do is buy kiln dried wood (just to be on the safe side) you wont save much at all.

regards

Willie.

jonewer

rustyboy21 wrote: »

I was told that the worst thing you can put on the fire to put it out is large amounts of water.

Now I have heard everything.

rustyboy21

jonewer wrote: »

Now I have heard everything.

Was reported on the radio interview listed above. It is supposed to create a possible explosion. Thats one of the reasons why the fire brigade only use a stirrpu pump with small amounts of water to create steam to put the chimney fire out.

Suppose dowsing the fire in the hearth with sand may be better by cutting off the oxygen supply.

Don't shoot the messenger guys ! lol