Attic Fire Hazards

The majority of these fires are caused by electrical malfunction created by faulty wires and ignition sources and natural causes such as lightning which we reported last summer.

Attic fire hazards.

Check for openings around the attic door attic vents roof joists rafters and attic floor joists. Cooking fires cause 23 percent of home fires and nine percent of deaths. The exhaust contains too much humid air and can cause problems with mold and mildew. Even so your home s heating ventilation and cooling hvac unit might cause an attic fire.

The fema document previously mentioned states that a whopping 43 of all residential attic fires are caused by electrical malfunction. Frayed or torn wiring could cause an attic fire. A ventless dryer should be used if outside venting is not possible. Make sure the vents are cleaned out and it is working as it should.

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. Natural sources that can be potential fire hazards may include fallen trees lightning or snow or rain dripping onto electrical outlets or wires. Reduce fire hazards by installing the dryer correctly. These attic fires are very challenging for the fire service to mitigate and have led to line of duty deaths and injuries.

Another possible cause of an attic fire is out of your control. The single most common cause of residential attic fires is electrical malfunction. Plastic fan parts may pose a fire hazard. The us fire administration estimates 10 000 residential building attic fires are reported to u s.

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. A towel or curtains hanging too close to an unattended stove can ignite. If your home attic houses a water heater or furnace be sure you have adequate venting. Fire departments each year and cause an estimated 30 civilian deaths 125 civilian injuries and 477 million in property loss.

If too much lint or other debris builds up in the ductwork the heat and friction could start a fire as well. According to the us fire administration over 10 000 attic fires a year are reported to us fire departments. When circuits are overloaded and the breaker fails to respond appropriately the excess draw could result in a fire. A clothes dryer should not vent inside your home or attic.