Cops: Chimney work caused fatal fire

[Kyle Kubs]

Sad story. Even worse, preventable.

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles ... 883248.txt

[Jim Katen]

Sad story. Even worse, preventable.

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles ... 883248.txt

"Some sections of pipe were put in backward, and as a result it allowed the hot gases in the chimney to escape all around the joints," he explained. "Also, the clearances appeared to not be far enough, and the wall of the house behind the chimney was wood, versus drywall or brick. That's going to allow the hot gases to come out, in the attic space, and they'll collect and heat up until it heats up the wall (and ignites)."

Makes no sense. As usual, I suspect the press got it wrong.

-Jim Katen, Oregon

[kurt]

I'll look into this; it happened about 5 minutes from my old joint in South Haven.

Bangor is a hardscrabble sort of place with a population well below poverty level.

[Kyle Kubs]

Sad story. Even worse, preventable.

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles ... 883248.txt

"Some sections of pipe were put in backward, and as a result it allowed the hot gases in the chimney to escape all around the joints," he explained. "Also, the clearances appeared to not be far enough, and the wall of the house behind the chimney was wood, versus drywall or brick. That's going to allow the hot gases to come out, in the attic space, and they'll collect and heat up until it heats up the wall (and ignites)."

Makes no sense. As usual, I suspect the press got it wrong.

-Jim Katen, Oregon

Yah, as usual, they're a little short on detail. The reversed joints in the pipe and clearances are obvious signs of amateur work, but hot gases collecting in the attic? Just another report on something that the reporter doesn't understand and won't take the time to research.

[hausdok]

Actually,

It sounds to me like the reporter is reporting exactly what was heard from a "Fire Marshal" that probably has no idea what he's talking about when it comes to wood stoves, vent clearances, etc..

OT - OF!!!

M.

[Jim Katen]

Sad story. Even worse, preventable.

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles ... 883248.txt

"Some sections of pipe were put in backward, and as a result it allowed the hot gases in the chimney to escape all around the joints," he explained. "Also, the clearances appeared to not be far enough, and the wall of the house behind the chimney was wood, versus drywall or brick. That's going to allow the hot gases to come out, in the attic space, and they'll collect and heat up until it heats up the wall (and ignites)."

Makes no sense. As usual, I suspect the press got it wrong.

-Jim Katen, Oregon

Yah, as usual, they're a little short on detail. The reversed joints in the pipe and clearances are obvious signs of amateur work, but hot gases collecting in the attic? Just another report on something that the reporter doesn't understand and won't take the time to research.

How does this "reverse joint" thing work? A wood stove vent only goes together one way, with the smaller piece sleeving into the larger piece from the top. That way, the crud that oozes down the inside of the pipe stays on the inside of the pipe. I've heard people say that this is backwards (mostly home inspectors) because the "flames" can "get out" that way. But this makes no sense. The byproducts of combustion are kept in the vent by low pressure, not by the direction that the pipes are put together.

- Jim Katen, Oregon