Attic Fire Hazards

A ventless dryer should be used if outside venting is not possible.

Attic fire hazards.

If too much lint or other debris builds up in the ductwork the heat and friction could start a fire as well. Check for openings around the attic door attic vents roof joists rafters and attic floor joists. The us fire administration estimates 10 000 residential building attic fires are reported to u s. When circuits are overloaded and the breaker fails to respond appropriately the excess draw could result in a fire.

The fema document previously mentioned states that a whopping 43 of all residential attic fires are caused by electrical malfunction. If your home attic houses a water heater or furnace be sure you have adequate venting. Frayed or torn wiring could cause an attic fire. Another possible cause of an attic fire is out of your control.

Even so your home s heating ventilation and cooling hvac unit might cause an attic fire. Plastic fan parts may pose a fire hazard. Cooking fires cause 23 percent of home fires and nine percent of deaths. You cannot always protect your house or attic from all natural sources.

Natural sources that can be potential fire hazards may include fallen trees lightning or snow or rain dripping onto electrical outlets or wires. Make sure the vents are cleaned out and it is working as it should. Mice rats bats or a squirrel in an attic can be a very dangerous hazard since these critters often harbor diseases and can damage the structure or attic wiring causing serious fire hazards. The exhaust contains too much humid air and can cause problems with mold and mildew.

The single most common cause of residential attic fires is electrical malfunction. Flammable or hazardous items should not be stored in the attic with extreme temperatures these items can cause a fire within your home says professional organizer susan santoro founder of organizing website organized31 who notes that chemicals can also leak when they re not stored in climate controlled spaces. According to the us fire administration over 10 000 attic fires a year are reported to us fire departments. A towel or curtains hanging too close to an unattended stove can ignite.

These attic fires are very challenging for the fire service to mitigate and have led to line of duty deaths and injuries. The grease in an unattended frying pan catches on fire and ignites nearby combustibles which in turn ignite curtains cabinets or anything else in the vicinity. Fire departments each year and cause an estimated 30 civilian deaths 125 civilian injuries and 477 million in property loss. Reduce fire hazards by installing the dryer correctly.