The Dangers of a Wood Burning Fire
A wood-burning fireplace can be a comfortable and relaxing experience. However, it could also create harmful combustion products. It is important to understand how wood burns, and how to use your fireplace properly.
Choose mature logs or kiln dried logs. Logs that are seasoned hold less moisture and are able to burn longer and hotter than unseasoned logs.
Burning Time
The burning of wood to generate heat is a traditional and effective method of heating. This fire can emit indoor and outdoor pollutants which are detrimental to the human body. A well-designed fireplace can minimize the negative effects of burning wood.
The length of time that a wood fire lasts is determined by how hot it is. The temperature of the fire influences the amount of smoke generated, as well as how much carbon monoxide is released. Carbon monoxide can make it difficult for occupants to escape a burning building when the levels are too high. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to keep the fire at the lowest temperature.
In the initial stage of a wood-fire, volatile gases such as methane and methanol are released from cellulose of the wood. These gases are non-combustible or combustible, based on the moisture content and pyrolysis temperatures of the sample. The temperature of process can rise to 325 degrees Celsius. At antique wood stove , cellulose begins to decompose and create charcoal and tar. This process is referred to as wood pyrolysis.
Wood burning releases other harmful combustion products such as dioxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and PAHs. PAHs have been linked with cancer and other diseases, both in humans and in animals. They also can contaminate the soil and water. To minimize the harmful effects of PAHs wood must be burned in a ventilated area.
A wood stove equipped with an extended burn feature can sustain visible flames for hours while consuming the least amount of fuel. This method involves layering wood with lighter kindling and larger pieces to prevent the fire burning out too quickly. This method can be used to build a the appearance of a fire that produces high temperatures for use over the night or while you are working.
The length of the fire is determined by many factors, like the moisture content in the wood. Dry wood will have a shorter burning time than damp wood. The sample surface's absorptivity also influences the time it takes to burn. Simms [59] discovered that the critical heat flux needed to ignite oak and mahogany samples was significantly lower with coated surfaces than without them.
Temperature
The temperature of the fire is critically important. The temperature of a flame can influence how quickly it burns and also the amount of heat it generates. It also influences how dangerous it is to burn yourself. It also influences the amount of smoke produced. Smoke can cause irritation to eyes and throats, which is why it is best to avoid breathing it in.
When wood burns it produces lots of heat and can reach extremely high temperatures. The temperature of a fire will depend on the type of wood that is used and its moisture content. Wet wood, for example is likely to burn at lower temperatures than dry wood. Wet wood is more able to absorb water and thus produces less heat. It is essential to burn dry wood. You should also ensure that the wood is properly seasoned prior to burning.
When the wood reaches its peak burning temperature, it will release a great deal of heat and ash. The amount of ash released is contingent on the type of wood and how hot. Certain woods like oak and larch release very little ash. Birch can produce a lot of Ash.
When the wood is burned, it will go through an pyrolysis procedure that is three-stages. The process begins with an chemical reaction that transforms organic compounds in the wood into methane and carbon dioxide. The resultant gases are absorbed by the surrounding air. These gases will rise when the wood is heated, and cause the wood to ignite, causing the appearance of a fire. This heats the wood until it combusts.
The temperature of a wood-burning fire can be very high, and it can damage surfaces if it comes into contact with them. Avoid touching the wood-burning fire with bare hands as it could cause serious burns. Wearing gloves and working in an area that is ventilated will reduce the chance of being burned. It is also recommended to wear a mask when working around a wood burning fire to avoid inhaling smoke.
Smoke
Wood burning fires emit smoke which is a mixture of gases and fine particles (also known as particulate matter (PM), that contains harmful air pollutant. PM from wood combustion can contain harmful organic compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde, as well as mineral particles such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These particles can cause a variety of health problems, including cancer and respiratory diseases. When people inhale wood smoke, they also inhale carbon monoxide (CO), an inert gas with no odor and color which can cause deadly poisoning in small doses.
The smoke emitted by a wood-fire comes mainly from volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons) which are vaporized from the burning material. The smoke also contains some water vapor, a byproduct of incomplete combustion (such as creosote), and a small percentage of unburned material, also known as ash.
When choosing what kind of wood that you want to burn in your woodstove or fireplace It is best to choose firewood that is seasoned. Split logs, which have been kept out of the elements and allowed to dry for a time until they reach a moisture content of between 20 to 25 percent, will burn more slowly and produce less creosote. A log's knock on both sides is a great method of determining the amount of moisture. A damp log will sound dull while wood that is seasoned will sound sharp.
The smoke and other byproducts are released through the chimney. If the ventilation system in your home isn't adequate, the chimney may be not able to draw enough air and create back drafts, which could cause the byproducts of the fire to build up inside the house. This could result in a buildup in dangerous carbon monoxide as inflammable creosote, as well as cinders.
Smoke from wood-burning fires can be especially hazardous to people over the age of 65, those who suffer from lung or heart diseases as well as children and outdoor avids. Smoke from wildfires can affect the health of older adults, people with heart or lung disease, children, and those who are active outdoors.
Safety
There are some steps you can take using a fire that is wood-burning to reduce the risk. For instance you should make use of a fireplace or wood stove screen, and keep anything flammable at least 3 feet away from it. In addition you should have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide in your home, which will alert you if any dangerous gases are detected. It is not advisable to leave a fire unattended because even a small flame can cause an explosive explosion. Similarly, you should only use a metal shovel and the ash bucket to clear the ashes from your fireplace, or wood stove and keep it away from any flammable objects.
Lighting antique wood stove
To start a fire first place an even layer of dry and cleft logs on a bed of ash. Then, add a layer of twigs and kindling on top of the pile. It is essential to leave enough space between the pieces of wood to allow airflow. This will stop the fire from burning too fast. If you need help getting your fire started, try adding some firelighters to the mix.
Open windows to let the fire breathe the oxygen it needs to make it burn brightly. This is particularly important for modern homes which are often tightly insulated and lack natural draft or ventilation.
Once the fire has started, you can add larger pieces of wood. It is important to remember that even the most seasoned hardwoods like oak and hickory can produce plenty of creosote when they are burned.
It is recommended to use kiln dried or seasoned firewood for burning your fire, since it is less likely to cause creosote build-up in your chimney system. However, if you do have to use fresh or green cut firewood, make sure you do it with a lot of caution because it will produce more smoke and create more creosote.