Orlando Fireplaces, Furnaces and Heater Home Safety

It is approaching that time of year again when we will be firing up our heaters, fire places and furnaces.  Have you had your annual maintenance checkup or your fireplace chimney inspected and cleaned?  These are important things to consider, but did you forget to check your batteries in your smoke and CO alarms.  Most homes have smoke alarms (detectors); more than 33 percent of these homes are not protected because the smoke alarms don’t work.  When a smoke alarm fails to work, it is frequently because the batteries are missing. People often remove or disconnect batteries to prevent nuisance activation caused by bathroom steam or cooking vapors.  Was your smoke alarm on a recall list?

Smoke and Fire

Most fire deaths occur in the middle of the night.   No smoke alarms were present or they did not operate in nearly 75% of residences where a fire fatality occurred, according to FEMA statistics.  A smoke alarm is the most valuable life saving device you can have in your home.  An operable smoke alarm will reduce your chances of dying in a fire, nearly in half.  Smoke alarms are designed to detect and warn that silent, but deadly smoke is in the air. The early warning will wake you and your family, allowing time to escape your burning home.

At 40 percent, cooking is the leading cause of residential structure fires. Heating causes another 14 percent. These percentages (and those that follow) are adjusted, which proportionally spreads the unknown causes over the other 15 causes.

The two leading causes of residential fatal fires are smoking, at 18 percent, and other unintentional or careless actions, at 14 percent. The leading cause of residential fires that result in injuries is cooking (26 percent), followed by other unintentional or careless actions (11 percent) and open flame (also 11 percent). Cooking is, by far, the leading cause of fires with property loss, at 20 percent.¹

¹  U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Data Center, Fire in the United States 2003-2007 Fifteenth Edition

Carbon Monoxide

People are at an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter months. Well-insulated, airtight homes and malfunctioning heating equipment can produce dangerously high and potentially deadly concentrations of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion, any fuel-burning appliance, vehicle or tool that is inadequately vented or maintained can be a potential source of carbon monoxide gas.

Examples of fuel- burning equipment include: 

• Fuel - furnaces and space heaters. 
• Propane or Gas - fireplaces, (both vented and ventless), space heaters, ranges and ovens, clothes dryers, grills, smokers, and deep fryers.
• Wood burning fireplaces and stoves 
• Charcoal grills and smokers 
• Gasoline – automobiles, lawnmowers and power tools

Gas fireplaces are gaining in popularity based on their low cost, convenience and relative ease of installation.  Ventless or vent free gas fireplaces are not vented to pipes or chimneys. The burned gases including carbon monoxide are put into the circulation of the air within your home.  Based upon the health risks associated with the use of ventless gas fireplaces, their installation is illegal in many areas of the country.

Prevent or minimize the potential for exposure to carbon monoxide gas. 

• Have your home-heating systems, fuel-burning appliances, flues and chimneys inspected, cleaned or schedule an annual home checkup by a qualified home inspector. 
• Make regular visual inspections of fuel-burning appliances such as your gas dryer and hot water heater. 
• Do not burn charcoal inside a home, cabin or camper.
• Do not operate gasoline-powered engines (generators, cutting saws) in confined areas such as garages or basements. 
• Do not idle your car inside the garage. 
• After a hurricane or storm, make sure vents for the gas dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of debris and intact. 
• Never use gas ovens and ranges to heat your home!

Check your Smoke and CO alarms frequently.  Smoke alarms are set off by bathroom steam or cooking vapors. Rather than take the battery out of your alarm, do the following: 

• Quiet the alarm by pushing the “HUSH” button, if equipped. 
• Open windows and turn on vent fans to clear the air.
• Consider relocating the alarm farther away from the cooking area or bathroom.
• Consider installing a photoelectric or combination photoelectric/ ionization type alarm. The photoelectric and combination type alarms are less sensitive to cooking smoke.

Causes of Christmas Fires

Cooking, heating, and open flames are the major cause of Christmas fires, according to the US Fire Administration.  This is not surprising due to holiday cooking and the more prevalent use of home fireplaces, displays, and decorations involving candles.  The daily incidence of candle−started fires quadruples on Christmas Day.

Opinions of a Home Inspector

Christmas is the time to spend with your family and friends, not to worry and agonize if you will have a fire.  Every Christmas the sounds of fire engine sirens overpower my family’s holiday music.   We often worry if the sirens are for one of our friends or neighbors.  You should have all your heating and cooking equipment inspected and serviced before your family arrives.  Fireplaces should be inspected yearly and cleaned regularly.  Be aware of the placement of candles and decorations.  Make sure you give your live Christmas tree plenty of water and keep it away from candles and fire places.  May your Christmas be worry free and full of holiday cheer.




Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties.  Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

 

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  Http://1homeinspector.com

Orlando Fire Hazards from Clogged Dryer Vents

We started blogging about clogged goose neck dryer vents in 2011, today we still see just as many every day in the Orlando area during the home inspection process.  Because they are located on the roof, the homeowner does not see them and they are mostly overlooked until the dryer is not working or worse a fire happens.

As a home inspector, one of the biggest safety hazards I see daily is dryer vents.  Dryer fires are among the top ten reasons for home fires and cause more than 15,000 fires annually.  Dryer exhausting through the roof should duct to a special dryer roof vent without screen.   

The roof vent or louvered plenum must be equivalent to a 4 inch wall termination in regard to resistance to airflow and back-flow prevention, and should require little or no maintenance to prevent clogging.

Home built in 2013 goose-neck looks shiny and new.

2013 home inside of goose-neck vent.

There are many issues with this type of vent.  It must be a vent that has a back-flow prevention flap and it should not have a screen.  Many of the goose-neck type of vents come with screens and are unsuitable for dryer venting.  

Goose neck vent with a screen

Totally blocked dryer vent.

Inoperable back-draft damper.

Goose-neck with screen was clogged.  Improper duct type.

Lint exhausted into attic damaging roof decking.

1. Dryer ducts must be at least 4 inches in diameter or at least the size of the dryer outlet. The exhaust duct must not extend into or through heating or air-conditioning ducts. The exhaust duct system should be supported and secured by mechanical fasteners. It should be insulated in non-conditioned spaces to prevent condensation.
2. The maximum length for a clothes dryer exhaust duct should not exceed 25 feet. This length should be decreased by 2.5 feet for every 45-degree bend the duct makes, and 5 feet for every 90-degree bend the duct makes.
3. The dryer exhaust ducts should be constructed of rigid metal (galvanized steel). The interior of the duct should be smooth surfaced with the joints running in the direction of the airflow. There should be no sheet-metal screws, rivets or any other fastener used to connect the duct joints. Fasteners that penetrate into the airway will catch lint and block airflow. 
4. Foil duct tape (not plastic or vinyl) should be used to secure joints. Outside termination must be equipped with a back draft damper, which prevents air, moisture and rodents from entering. The termination must not have a screen covering the exhaust outlet.

I have seen all of these used for dryer roof vents.  Just because they are sold at the hardware store does not make them right.

 According to the IRC:

- M1502.3 Duct termination.

- - Exhaust ducts shall terminate on the outside of the building.  Exhaust duct terminations shall be in accordance with the dryer manufacturer’s installation instructions.  If the manufacturer’s instructions do not specify a termination location, the exhaust duct shall terminate not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in any direction from openings into buildings.  Exhaust duct terminations shall be equipped with a back draft damper.  Screens shall not be installed at the duct termination.

In the opinion of this home inspector, the biggest problem I see with the roof vent is out of sight out of mind.  Each year many people die in home fires that start at the dryer.  Prevention is often easy and requires little effort.  Dryer vents should be cleaned annually but in the case of roof top vents I recommend semi-annually.  

Clothes dryers a leading cause of home fires in Orlando

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide. Http://1homeinspector.com

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  Http://1homeinspector.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

Orlando Home Inspection by Licensed Home Inspector

The roof is the main protective feature of the home.  We walk the ROOF!

Now you can put our outstanding reputation for service and reliability to work for you. By contracting First Choice Home Inspection, you benefit from experienced Central Florida home inspectors that deliver computerized reports using the latest technology.  Our reporting system meets and exceeds the state standards. We encourage your presence during the inspection. By being present at the inspection, our professional home inspector can familiarize you with the home and explain things to you as they progress through the inspection.

Inspectors

First Choice inspectors are bound to a strict code of ethics; this ensures quality service while providing important protections. For example, our inspectors must:

·         Work Exclusively for the Customer

·         Follow Nationally Accepted Standards of Practice

·         Do Not Perform Repairs on Any Property Inspected

Our inspectors are AHIT and InterNachi certified in addition, they are familiar with a wide variety of situations. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

Orlando & Central Florida Home Inspection

Services:

• Home Inspections  (Buyer, Seller and Maintenance) 
• New Home Warranty Inspection 
• Residential Home Checkup 
• Manufactured / Mobile Home Inspection
• Moisture Intrusion Inspections
• 4pt Insurance Inspections 
• Wind Mitigation Inspections 
• Pool / Spa Inspections 
• Irrigation Inspections 
• WDO* Inspections

Schedule an Inspection call:  (386) 624-3893

* All WDO Inspections are performed by a Licensed Termite Inspector that may or may not be an employee of FCHI.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide. Http://1homeinspector.com

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  Http://1homeinspector.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

Orlando BBQ grills are a Leading Cause of Home Fires!

Barbecue grill are the #10 leading cause of home fires in the United States.  With the 4th of July weekend coming up and summer grilling kicking off, now is the time to check your grill and review BBQ grilling safety.  Grilling steaks and burgers with your family will make a great summer time gathering. A home fire will make your summer commencement barbecue unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that there were 3,800 grill injuries reported annually requiring medical care.

Before grilling check your equipment, review safety procedures with your party and children, and ensure you have proper clearance from combustible material.  Have your home fire extinguisher or garden hose in a handy location.  Keep children and pets away from the grill area and never leave your grill unattended.

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors. 
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. 
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area. 
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. 
• Never leave your grill unattended.

 BEFORE BARBECUING

• Grill maintenance, check thoroughly for leaks, cracking or brittleness before using it.  Propane grills clean out the tubes that lead into the burner.
• Make sure the grill is at least 10 feet away from your house, garage, or trees.
• Store and use your grill on a large flat surface that cannot burn (i.e. - concrete or asphalt).
• Grills should not be placed in a garage, porch, deck or on top of anything that can catch fire.
• Establish a safety zone around the grill area.  Keep children away from fires and grills. Instruct children to remain outside the zone. A chalk line works great for this purpose.
• Have a fire extinguisher, a garden hose attached to a water supply, or at least 4 gallons of water close by in case of a fire. 

 DURING BARBECUING 

• Don't wear loose clothing that might catch fire.
• Use long handled barbecue tools and/or flame resistant mitts.
• Never use any flammable liquid other than a barbecue starter fluid to start a fire.
• Never pour or spray starter fluid onto an open flame. The flames can easily flashback along the fluid's path to the container in your hands.
• Alcoholic beverages are flammable.  Keep them away from the grill.
• Never leave the grill unattended.

 AFTER BARBECUING

• Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning and storing instructions for the grill.
• Keep your grill clean and free of grease buildup that may lead to a fire.
• Never store liquid or pressurized fuels inside your home and/or near any possible sources of flame.

IN CASE OF A BARBECUE FIRE

• PROPANE Grills - turn off the burners.  If you can safely reach the tank valve, shut it off.  If the fire involves the tank, leave it alone, evacuate the area and call the fire department (911).
• CHARCOAL Grills - close the grill lid. ELECTRIC Grills - disconnect the power.
• DIAL 911 - If there is any type of fire that either threatens your personal safety or endangers property.
• Grease fires - NEVER attempt to extinguish with water. It will only cause the flames to flare up. Use an approved portable fire extinguisher.

PROPANE GRILLS

The CPSC reports that more than 500 fires and 20 injuries occur every year from gas grill fires and explosions of grills that have not been used for several months.

• Check the tubes leading to the burner regularly for blockages. Check with your specific grill manufacturer's instructions.
• Check for leaks EVERY TIME you replace the cylinder. Pour soapy solution over the connections and if bubbles begin to form, there is a leak. Placing the soapy solution into a spray bottle makes it much easier to apply. If there is a leak, turn off the grill IMMEDIATELY and have it fixed. Do NOT use the grill until the leak is fixed.
• Make sure all the connections are secure BEFORE turning on the gas.
• Never start a propane grill with the lid closed. Gas can accumulate and when the grill is ignited may cause an explosion.
• Only get propane from approved compressed gas suppliers.
• Before getting a propane cylinder filled, check for any damages to it.
• Never store propane cylinders indoors or near any heat source.
• Never transport or store propane cylinders in the trunk of your automobile.
• ALWAYS shut off the propane fuel at the grill and at the bottle after you have finished barbecuing. Otherwise, this will lead to fire hazards, such as leaks and faulty regulators.

CHARCOAL GRILLS

Twenty deaths and 400 injuries are treated resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning from charcoal grills according to the CPSC.

• Due to the production of carbon monoxide when charcoal is burned, charcoal grills should not be used inside homes, vehicles, tents, or campers, even if ventilation is provided. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless; you will not be alerted to the danger until it is too late.
• Never use any flammable liquid other than barbecue starter fluid to start a charcoal barbecue.
• Use the starter fluid sparingly and never put it on an open flame.
• Never add fire starter after you have started your barbecue to speed a slow fire or rekindle a dying fire. The flames can easily flashback along the fluid's path to the container in your hands.
• Remove the charcoal ashes from the grill and place them into a metal container with a tight-fitting metal lid. Add and mix in water with the ashes, and set aside for several days. Dispose of the mixture in accordance with the Department of Sanitation's guidelines.
• Remove the ashes only after they are completely cooled and no warm embers remain.
• Always soak coals with water after cooking; they retain their heat for long periods of time.
• Keep damp or wet coals in a well-ventilated area. During the drying process, spontaneous combustion can occur in confined areas.

ELECTRIC GRILLS

• Keep the grill at least 10 feet away from any combustible material.
• Do NOT use any flammable liquid to start an electric grill.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions in the use of an electric grill.
• When using an electrical extension cord, make sure it is properly rated for the amperage required for the electric grill. Route extension cords out of the line of foot traffic to avoid trip hazards.

DEEP FRYERS

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), deep fryer fires cause an average of 5 deaths, 60 injuries, and more than $15 million in property damage each year.

Basic safety principles when using deep fryers: 

Oil Level- If the cooking pot is overfilled, the oil may spill out of the pot when the turkey is lowered in. Oil can hit the burner and cause a significant fire. Follow the owner's manual and make sure the oil level is at the proper level. 

Frozen or Partially Thawed Meat in Oil - Frozen or partially frozen fowl placed into the fryer can cause the oil to spill over the pot and may result in a significant fire or burn injury. Do not use water to thaw your turkey. Make sure your fowl is properly thawed and slowly lower it into the pot to prevent the oil from splashing. 

Placement of Deep Fryer  - Cook outdoors and on a level, firm, and non-combustible surface.  Home fires involving fryers can start in a garage or on a patio or deck. Maintain a safe distance from any buildings and keep the fryer off of any wooden structures.





Don't Use Water or Ice - When ice or water comes into contact with hot oil, the water vaporizes, causing steam bubbles to pop and spray hot oil. Do not use ice or water to cool down oil or extinguish an oil fire. Keep an extinguisher approved for cooking or grease fires nearby and immediately call 911 for help. 

Don't Leave Your Fryer Unattended - Frying involves cooking with a combustible cooking oil or grease. Many frying units do not have thermostat controls and if unwatched, the oil will continue to heat until the oil ignites.  

Level Surfaces - Many fryers are very top-heavy and can be unstable if not used on a level surface. Fryers not on level surfaces can tip over causing a significant fire or burn injury.

REMEMBER

• Never use a propane barbecue grill on a balcony, terrace or roof.
• Never use a charcoal or propane grill inside your home or garage.
• Propane tanks - no more than two (2) 20-pound propane tanks are allowed on the grounds of a one or two-family home, but be sure to follow the fire safety precautions above. 
• Only use a charcoal barbecue on a balcony or terrace if there is a ten foot clearance from the building and there is an immediate source of water (garden hose or four (4) gallon pail of water).
  
  

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties.  Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  http://1homeinspector.com