Fire Marshal Offers Safety Tips for Secondary Heat Sources

As temperatures begin to tumble again after a warmer stretch of weather through January, Merrimack Fire Marshal John Manuele is warning residents of the dangers that can come with using alternative heating sources – like space heaters, woodstoves and electric fire places.

Capt. Manuele said these alternative sources can be extremely dangerous if used improperly and have been the cause of close many small fires over the last few years.

On Thursday, he offered some safety tips if you are planning to use an alternative heating source and also offered a reminder.

“These electric heater advertisements don't lie in that they will save you money on your oil or propane bill,” Capt. Manuele said. “You may save oil, but your electric meter is going to be spinning like a top.”

Space heaters/Electric Fireplaces

Space heaters and electric fire places are electricity hogs, he said. If you must use one, he recommends doing so for supplemental heat only and for short period of time. Make sure it is UL listed or UL tested. That means they are certified as being safe if used as directed.

An electric heater is going to draw about 14 amps of power, Capt. Manuele said. A standard electrical outlet in a home is capable of handling 15 amps, so if you are using an electric heater, it should be the only thing plugged into that outlet.

Merrimack Fire has responded to small fires in cases of a wall outlet melting from extended use of a space heater with other high energy items plugged in with it. Luckily residents have been home at the time and smelled something burning, but these heaters run very serious risks with their use, he said.

“A power strip cannot be used with a space heater. Absolutely not. No way,” Capt. Manuele said.

Further, power strips should only ever be used for lower amperage stuff like TVs, computers, and stereos, he said and they should never be used to run kitchen appliances.

Fire place

Most people who have fire places use them as ambience, and for the average person who tosses a log or two on when company is coming over or for a nice evening with their spouse, the risks of serious issues are fairly low, he said.

The bigger problems arise when people start using their fire places for longer periods of time, whether it's to save money or to help heat the house during an extended power outage.

Manuele said structure fires start when the gases from a fire get into cracks in the mortar or wood around a fire place. Having your fire place lined is highly recommended if you plan on using your fire place for long periods of time. Having the fire place inspected annually, especially for those who use it regularly, is recommended.

Pellet Stove

Pellet stoves have become very popular in recent years for their low cost fuel and nice warmth it adds to a home. As far as supplemental heating sources go, pellet stoves are fairly safe, Manuele said, if installed appropriately.

It's perfectly acceptable for homeowners to install their own pellet stove, Manuele said, but it does have to be installed to meet code. The biggest issues that arise from pellet stoves generally have to do with improper installation, he said. That and exhaust issues. Most pellet stove exhaust is relatively low to the ground. Make sure to clear out any brush around the exhaust to prevent fire from sparking outside the home. Like any other heat source, pellet stoves should be installed away from combustible materials.

Wood Stove

Wood stoves can also be installed by a homeowner but also needs to be done to code, Capt. Manuele said. Wood stoves get extremely hot and unless specified differently by the manufacturer, need three feet of clearance on each side from combustible materials. Because the exhaust pipe also gets very hot, Manuele said it's important that the correct pipe is installed. One fire the department responded to, he said, was because the homeowner hooked the exhaust into a pipe for an old gas fireplace that wasn't rated for the heat from a wood stove and it melted.

“It's really important if you're doing a self install that you are using the proper materials, he said.

Wood stoves should be cleaned at least annually, maybe more if used daily.

Finally, with wood stoves and fireplaces, make sure to dispose of ashes properly. They should be placed in a metal pail – not plastic – and the fire should be completely out.

“We recommend putting them in your garden since they make good compost,” he said.

Do not dump them into leaves, pine needles or other dry brush.

Manuele said they have a lot of requests from homeowners to inspect woodstoves for insurance purposes, but they cannot do so. The department is happy to conduct safety inspections, but as they did not install the stoves, they cannot certify them. If your insurance requires certification on a woodstove install, it's best left to the professionals to do it.