FAQ's | FAQ's |
|
|
|
|
How many times should you have your chimney swept each year? According to the Department of Environment's Fire Service Section March 2009, you should have your chimney swept: Once per year if using oil/gas/smokeless fuels ,twice per year if using coal and four times per year (once per season) if using wood. Why so many times for using wood? Unseasoned wood is one of the main causes of chimney fires.Wood should be seasoned at least 12-24 months with the moisture content being between 15-25%. How many chimney fires are there ? According to the Department of Environment's Fire Service Bulletins: 60-65% of all domestic fires attended to by the Irish Fire Service every year are chimney fires. This represents 110+ chimney fires attended to every week by the Irish fire Service. How does Ireland compare with other countries? In the United States with a population of over 307 million ,there are on average 25,100 chimney fires which are responsible for 30 deaths and $126.1 million in property damage. In 2008 the United Kingdom with a population of 61 million, there were 12,200 chimney fires. And in the Republic of Ireland with a population of only 4.2 million the Irish Fire Service attended almost 6,000 chimney fires. Why are there so many chimney fires here in Ireland?
What is an INFO F1 Certificate? I recently purchased a wood burning stove and the retailer who fitted the stove gave me this certificate. Is this a guarantee that this stove was fitted correctly? The Irish Nationwide Fireplace Organisation (INFO) are a group of retailers who provide a 2 day fireplace fitting course for their members. This course does not cover the professional installation of multi-fuel/wood burning stoves or inset stoves. Retailers and tradesmen who fit these multi-fuel/wood burning stoves and inset stoves do not have any formal training or qualifications in the safe installation of these appliances. Why do retailers not inform the public about relining chimneys for multifuel and inset stoves? Most retailers will not tell the public about the need for relining the chimney to Building Regulations or the Manufacturer's Installation Manual (M.I.M.) for fear of losing the sale of the appliance. My mother had a chimney fire 4 months ago and is only getting it fixed now. The chimney relining company said they would do all the remedial works from the roof using only ladders and would take away all the waste themselves. Does this sound right to you? No it doesn't and thank you for your enquiry. Chimney relining companies not complying to Building Regulations 1997 Technical Guidance Document J Heat Producing Appliances are fitting 6"(150 mls.) and 7" (175 mls.) flexible stainless steel liners down the existing 8" (200 mls.) clay liners without removing the existing clay liners or the creosote which caused the chimney fire in the first place. Creosote should be removed from the chimney flue before it is relined to ensure the chimney does not reignite. Chimney relining companies not using scaffolding or skips are in breach of health and safety legislation and waste disposal legislation. These chimney relining companies can be heavily fined.
I want to get my chimney swept. Would you recommend hiring one from the Golden Pages? It doesn't matter how long a chimney sweep has been in business. A Golden Pages listing is not a qualification. The National Chimney Sweep Training School of Ireland is the only certified professional training school in Ireland.
|
