FF BRANYON WILLIAMS

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CHIMNEY FIRES

• PRESENTED BY
• FF BRANYON WILLIAMS

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OBJECTIVES

• CAUSES OF CHIMNEY FIRES
• CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION
• SCENE SAFETY
• EXTENSION
• EXTINGUISHMENT

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CAUSES OF CHIMNEY FIRES
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• IGNITION OF CREOSOTE
• IGNITION OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS NEAR CHIMNEY OR
  HEATING DEVICE

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WHAT IS CREOSOTE?

• A FLAMMABLE, OILY LIQUID MIXTURE OF TAR DERIVED
  FROM WOOD
• INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION OF IMPROPERLY SEASONED OR
  INCORRECT WOOD

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CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION
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MASONRY

• BRICK/STONE
• LINED WITH FIRE CLAY FLUE OR BRICK
• USES CEMENT MIXTURE TO JOIN BRICK AND FLUE LINING

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METAL

• DOUBLE OR TRIPLE WALL
• STAINLESS STEEL OR GALVANIZED METAL
• UL RATING

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ORDINARY CONSTRUCTION

• WOOD FRAMED
• MULTIPLE EXTERIOR FINISHES
• STEEL LINER

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VARIOUS CHIMNEY CAPS
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• LIMITS ACCESSIBILITY
• PERMANENTLY ATTACHED
• NO EXISTING CHIMNEY CAP

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SCENE SAFETY
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ALWAYS CONSIDER

• WEATHER
• ROOF DESIGN
• LADDERS
• PPE SCBA

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WEATHER

• TEMPERATURE
• PRECIPITATION

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ROOF DESIGN

• ROOF PITCH
• ROOF CONSTRUCTION
• METAL
• ASPHALT SHINGLES
• SLATE
• CEDAR SHAKE

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LADDERS

• GROUND LADDERS
• ROOF LADDERS
• AERIAL DEVICE

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PPE SCBA

• SHOULD BE WORN ON ALL CHIMNEY FIRE INCIDENTS
• CREOSOTE IS VERY TOXIC IS A CARCINOGEN.
• MONITOR AIR SAMPLES FOR CO LEVELS

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EXTENSION
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CHECK

• EXTERIOR WALLS
• INTERIOR WALLS
• ATTIC AREAS
• ALL AREAS IN CONTACT WITH THE CHIMNEY ON ALL
  FLOORS
• UTILIZE THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS

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EXTINGUISHMENT
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• REMOVE COMBUSTIBLES
• CHIMNEY BOMBS
• PPV DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS
• CHIMNEY NOZZLE
• SALVAGE

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REMOVE COMBUSTIBLES

• METAL CONTAINER
• SHOVEL
• EXTINGUISH COMBUSTIBLES OUTSIDE IN A SAFE AREA

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CHIMNEY BOMBS

• PLASTIC BAGS FILLED WITH CHEMICAL AGENT THAT ARE
  DROPPED FROM ROOF TOP DOWN THE CHIMNEY
• ALL ENGINE COMPANIES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CHIMNEY
  KITS
• CHIMNEY BOMBS, MIRROR AND A HAND LIGHT

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PPV DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS

• PPV FANS SET IN FRONT OF STOVES/FIREPLACES TO
  CREATE A DRAFTING EFFECT
• SHORT BURSTS FROM THE DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER
  ARE DIRECTED UP THE CHIMNEY

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CHIMNEY NOZZLE

• WATER IS NOT PREFERRED IN CHIMNEY FIRE
  EXTINGUISHMENT
• WAGON 5 IS THE ONLY PIECE OF APPARTUS IN THE CITY
  THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH A CHIMNEY NOZZLE

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SALVAGE

• SALVAGE COVERS
• HALL RUNNERS
• CLOSE-UP KITS

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• FOLLOW PROPER RED TAG PROCEDURE

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REMEMBER

• CHIMNEY FIRES CAN RAPIDLY EVOLVE INTO STRUCTURE
  FIRES, ALWAYS BE PREPARED!
• WATER SUPPLY SHOULD ALWAYS BE ESTABLISHED
• WFRD DOES NOT CLEAN CHIMNEYS