Fire Safety for Stoves, Fires and Chimneys

Chimney fires can be particularly destructive and can escalate quickly into a house fire. In 2021, Dublin Fire Brigade responded to 303 chimney fires - many of which were avoidable.

Chimney Fire Prevention

The best way to prevent a chimney fire is through regular maintenance.

• We advise you to clean your chimney at least once a year - and more often depending on the type of fuel you use.
• You should only use approved coal, fuels and seasoned (dried) wood. Burning rubbish, waste, scraps of wood or wood that has been varnished or treated will cause damage to your chimney over time.
• Generally, fireplaces and stoves are not used in the warmer summer months and this provides an opportunity for birds to nest on top of, or in, your chimney flue. So with this in mind, the best time to clean your chimney is just before the burning season.
• Talk to your chimney sweep about performing a visual inspection of the flue. Over time, the mortar joints can deteriorate and fall away allowing smoke and heat to leave the flue and into your brickwork, house voids or attic space causing a fire.
• We always recommend that you have a working smoke alarm on all levels of your home, including in your attic or roof space.

Using a Fire or Stove Safely

Once your chimney has been cleaned and you're ready to light a fire, keep these additional fire safety tips in mind:

• Use a spark guard on an open fire, especially if you leave the room or go to bed.
• As mentioned above, use approved fuels only. As well as the risks of damaging your chimney over time, burning the likes of plastic or paper could result in your chimney becoming blocked.
• Don’t store flammable materials close to your fire or stove, including wood and other fuels.
• Don’t use an open fire to air dry clothes; they could catch fire.
• Never place anything on top of a stove.
• Allow the ashes of the fire to cool overnight. However, the ashes could still be hot in the morning, so ensure they are cool before you dispose of them. We recommend using an old-style tin metal biscuit box to store the ashes for 24 hours before placing the ashes in the main bin. You should also place this tin outside as hot ashes produce carbon monoxide, so they need to be in a well-ventilated space.

In recent years, the increased popularity of stoves has lead to a rise in stove fires. These fires are mainly due to poor installation.

Stoves burn at very high temperatures so stoves and flues need to be installed correctly and clearly spaced from any timber or other combustible materials. Insulated flues that pass through ceilings and walls need to be spaced or encased correctly too.

Stoves should be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and with the current building regulations. You can find the relevant Technical Guidance document on 'Heat Producing Appliances' on the Gov.ie website.

Signs of a Chimney Fire

Chimney fires aren't always clearly visible. If you suspect your chimney is on fire, check for these clues:

• The fire will draw more air from the fire place or stove and it may sound like a jet engine.
• Smoke may start coming out of the fireplace, filling the room.
• There might be debris falling in to the fireplace.
• Sometimes flames and sparks will shoot out of the top of your chimney - and, in this case, it may be your neighbours who alert you about the chimney fire.

If Your Chimney is on Fire

If you think there is a problem, ring 999/112 as soon as possible. The quicker firefighters deal with the fire, the less damage it will cause to your home.

You can then:

• Alert everyone in the house. It may not be necessary to evacuate, but be prepared to if smoke starts to fill the house.
• If it is safe to do so, SPRINKLE some water on the fire to dampen the flames. DO NOT THROW WATER on the flames, this will turn to steam and cause burns.
• Place a spark guard in front of the fire, or in the case of a stove, close the door and all the air vents. This will deprive the fire of oxygen.

Fire Prevention in Dublin

Making Dublin safe from fires and other emergencies is at the heart of Dublin Fire Brigade's work. Through fire safety programmes, education and advice, we aim to get communities involved in the prevention of fires.

If you would like a fire officer to talk to your school, business or community, get in touch below.