NH State Fire Marshal Urges Caution During Follow-Up Storm

Submitted by State Fire Marshal J. William Degnan

As citizens are scrambling to dig out from last week’s record setting snow storm Nemo, NH State Fire Marshal warns citizens to watch out for the effects of Monday’s compounding storm.

Although smaller in size, Monday’s wintery mix will add significant weight to the snow pack created by last week’s storm.  Nemo came through New Hampshire with record breaking snow fall amounts with a very low water equivalency content.  This means that the snow was dry and fluffy, making it relatively easy to clear away. 

Monday’s storm started out with snow, but the changeover to all rain will be absorbed by the existing snow pack. This absorption will be invisible to most viewers.  However the added water content will add lots of weight to flat roofs.

Nemo came at New Hampshire with some fierce winds which caused significant drifting of the snow. Often this drifting will cover vent terminations for heating equipment. Vents can be vertical or horizontal. Make sure you know where yours are. Heating equipment has to breathe to operate properly. They all need air to work and they all need to expel the by-products of combustion to the outside. If vents get covered with snow, this equipment will not operate properly if at all, and they will start filling your home with deadly carbon monoxide which is colorless and odorless. 

Here are some tips to remember: 

• Remove snow from low pitch or flat roofs.  Using a snow rake from the ground, remove snow from any roof with a low or flat pitch including any roof that is suspected of premature failure.  Do not climb on roofs or use ladders.  Save this task for the professionals.
• Start early, don’t wait. With each additional inch of rain that falls, the snow on roofs will increase with weight.  Dense snow is harder and more dangerous to remove.
• Clear snow away from vents.  Direct vented equipment normally utilizes a horizontal venting arrangement.  Walk around your house.  If your heating equipment, such as a furnace or water heater, is located in the basement, you will normally find your direct vent termination just above the ground on the outside wall.  It might be plastic pipe or metal pipe. Clear snow away from these important vents.  This includes dryer vents