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Establish a routine for the fuel, wood insert and firing technique. Check daily for creosote
build-up until experience shows how often you need to clean to be safe. Be aware that the
hotter the fire, the less creosote is deposited and weekly cleaning may be necessary in mild
weather even though monthly cleaning may be enough in the coldest months. Contact your local
municipal or provincial fire authority for information on how to handle a chimney fire. Have a
clearly understood plan to handle a chimney fire.
5.3.2
Sweeping the Chimney
Chimney sweeping can be a difficult and dangerous
job. People with no chimney sweeping experience will
often prefer to hire a professional chimney sweep to
inspect and clean the system for the first time. After
seeing the cleaning process, some will choose to do
it themselves.
The chimney should be checked regularly for creosote
build-up. Inspection and cleaning of the chimney can
be facilitated by removing the baffle. See « Air tubes
and baffle installation » in the Wood Insert Installation
and Operation Manual for more details.
5.3.3
Chimney Fire
Regular chimney maintenance and inspection can prevent chimney fires. If you have a chimney
fire, follow these steps:
1.
Close the insert door and the air intake control;
2.
Alert the occupants of the house of the possible danger;
3.
If you require assistance, alert the fire department;
4.
If possible, use a dry chemical fire extinguisher, baking soda or sand to control the fire. Do not
use water, as it may cause a dangerous steam explosion;
Do not use the appliance again until the insert and its chimney have been inspected by
a qualified chimney sweep or a fire department inspector.
6. Masonry Fireplace Requirements
The masonry fireplace must meet the minimum requirements found in the building code
enforced locally, or the equivalent, for a safe installation. Contact the local building inspector for
requirements in the area. An inspection of the fireplace should include the following:
6.1
Fireplace and Chimney Condition
The masonry fireplace and chimney should be inspected prior to installation, to confirm that they
are free from cracks, loose mortar, creosote deposits, blockage, or other signs of deterioration.
If evidence of deterioration is noted, the fireplace or chimney should be upgraded and cleaned
prior to installation.
Masonry or steel, including the damper plate, may be removed from the smoke shelf and
adjacent damper frame if necessary to accommodate the insert's chimney liner, provided that
their removal will not weaken the structure of the fireplace and chimney, and will not reduce
protection for combustible materials to less than what is required by the building code.
Page 20
Wood Inserts – Owner's Manual
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