West Sussex Fire Brigade Chimney Fires

Chimney fires can be prevented

West Sussex Fire Brigade has attended over 150 chimney fires in the last 12 months. You may have had one of these fires. To save you requiring our services and before you attempt to use your chimney again please read on.

REMEMBER 'KEEP IT CLEAN'

If you have had a chimney fire it is essential for the safety of all the occupants that you have your flue inspected by a competent person to ensure it has not been damaged. The chimney must also be properly cleaned before using the fire again.

To prevent chimney fires in the future and possible structural damage to your property, please ensure your chimney is cleaned at least as often as listed below.

SOLID FUEL APPLIANCES :
Once per year for smokeless fuel and twice per year for coal
WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES :
Quarterly when in use
GAS APPLIANCES:
Once per year if designed for sweeping
OIL FIRED APPLIANCES:
Once per year

It is not sufficient to clean a chimney using a vacuum cleaner alone. Ensure your chimney flue is inspected at regular intervals to prevent fire breaking out of the chimney. Fireguards can prevent serious injury or even death. Sparkguards can prevent a serious property fire.

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO, FIT A SMOKE ALARM
IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE !

IN THE EVENT OF A CHIMNEY FIRE OCCURRING

Dial 999 and ask for the Fire Brigade( there is no charge )
If you have a conventional open fire, extinguish the fire by gently splashing water onto the fire
If you have a solid fuel appliance, close down the ventilation as much as possible.
Move furniture & rugs away from the fireplace and remove any nearby ornaments.
Place a sparkguard in front of the fire.
Feel the chimney breast in other rooms for signs of heat.

If a wall is becoming hot, move furniture away. Ensure that access to your attic or roof space is available for the Fire Service as they will want to thoroughly check this area for signs of possible fire spread.

Chimney fires can spread to the rest of your property. REMEMBER ALWAYS call the Fire Brigade if you have a chimney fire.

'For Your Own Safety Have it Swept'

For more fire safety advice, contact WSFB on

NACS logo

National Association of Chimney Sweeps
The Association has a network of sweeps throughout the County.
All NACS members are fully insured and work to a code of practice
For more details of your local NACS member
Telephone Freephone

Return to Home page
Site Map

This site is best viewed with Internet Explorer 4 or above at 800 x 600
Produced by West Sussex Fire Brigade Web Technology.
©Copyright West Sussex Fire Brigade 2000
West Sussex Fire Brigade Disclaimer
Information Provider Paul Archer
Last Updated Friday October 5, 2001 4:15 PM