The Dangers of a Wood Burning Fire
A wood-burning fireplace can be a relaxing and comfortable experience. However, it could also produce harmful combustion products. It is important to understand how wood burns, and how to use your fireplace properly.
Choose seasoned logs or kiln dried logs. Seasoned logs hold less moisture and are more likely to burn hotter and longer than unseasoned logs.
Burning Time
The burning of wood is a very effective and traditional method of heating. However, this kind of fire can release indoor and outdoor emissions that can be harmful to human health. A well-designed fireplace, when utilized with care can lessen the negative effects of burning wood.
The time it takes to burn a woodfire depends on its temperature. The temperature of the fire can affect the amount of smoke released and the amount of carbon monoxide that is released. If carbon monoxide levels are high, they can impede the escape of occupants from a burning building. To avoid this, it is essential to keep the fire at the lowest temperature.
In the initial stage of a wood fire, volatile gases like methane and methanol are released from cellulose of the wood. These gases can be combustible or non-combustible, depending on the moisture content and pyrolysis temperatures of the sample. The temperature of pyrolysis rises to around 325 degrees Celsius. At this point the cellulose begins to break down and form tar and charcoal. This process is called wood pyrolysis.
In addition to the volatile gases burning wood releases a myriad of toxic combustion products, including dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are linked to cancer and other diseases both in humans and in animals. They also can contaminate the soil and water. To lessen the negative impact of PAHs, wood must be burned in a well ventilated space.
A wood stove that has an extended burn capacity can keep visible flames using a small amount of fuel. This method of burning involves laying the wood with light kindling and heavier logs to stop the fire from burning too fast. This technique can be used to build an open fire to generate high temperatures, either over night or while you're at work.
The duration of a wood fire is based on several factors which include the moisture content of the wood. Dry wood burns faster than damp wood. The absorptivity of the sample surface also affects the duration of its burning. Simms [59] discovered that the required heat flux to ignite oak and mahogany samples was significantly lower on coated surfaces than those without.
Temperature
The temperature of the fire is critically crucial. The temperature of a fire can affect how quickly it burns and the amount of heat it generates. It also affects the risk when someone is burned. It also affects the amount of smoke that is generated. If there is too much smoke, it can irritate the eyes and throat and cause irritation, so it is recommended to avoid breathing in it.
When wood is burned, it generates plenty of heat and can even reach high temperatures. The temperature of the fire can be affected by the type of wood and moisture content. For example wet wood has less heat than dry wood. This is because wet wood will absorb more water and less heat. It is essential to use dry wood, and you should ensure that the wood has been seasoned prior to burning it.
When the wood reaches its peak temperature of combustion, it will release lots of heat and ash. The amount of ash released will depend on the type of wood and how hot. Certain woods, like larch and oak, produce very little ash when they burn. The Birch wood can produce a large amount of Ash.
As the wood is burned it will go through three stages of pyrolysis. The process begins with the chemical reaction that transforms the organic compounds present in the wood into methane and carbon dioxide. The gas produced is taken up by the air. When the wood is heated, these gases will rise and ignite the wood's surface and create a flame that will heat it up until it combusts.
The temperature of a fire that is wood burning 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. You can lower the risk of burns by wearing a pair of gloves and working in a well-ventilated space. A mask is recommended when working around fires that burn wood to avoid inhaling smoke.
Smoke
Wood burning fires generate smoke, a mixture of fine particles and gases (also called particulate matter or PM) that are harmful air pollutant. PM from wood combustion could contain harmful organic compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium. These particles can cause variety of health issues that include respiratory and cancer. Inhaling smoke from wood can cause people to inhale CO, which is an odorless and colorless gas which can be fatal in small doses.
The smoke that is produced by the wood fire is mostly due to volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons) which evaporate from the burning material. The smoke contains water vapor as well as the by-products of incomplete burning (such as creosote) and some unburned materials called ash.
When choosing the type of wood that you want to burn in your fireplace or woodstove, it is best to choose seasoned firewood. Logs that have been cut and stored away from the elements and left to dry until they are matured (a moisture content of 20-25 percent) will burn more slowly and produce less creosote. Knocking a log on both sides is an excellent way to determine the moisture content. Damp wood will have a dull sound, while the logs that are seasoned will produce a sharp sound.
The smoke and other byproducts are released through the chimney. If the ventilation system of the home isn't adequate and the chimney is not properly ventilated, it may be insufficiently able to draw air and thus create an air draft back. This can cause the byproducts from the fire to accumulate inside the house. This can lead to an accumulation of carbon monoxide, as in flammable creosote and cinders.
Smoke from a wood-burning fireplace can be particularly hazardous to people over the age of 65, those who suffer from lung or heart disease as well as children and those who are active outdoors. Smoke from wildfires can be harmful to the health of older people, those who suffer from lung or heart disease, children and people who exercise.
Safety
When using a wood burning fire, there are some precautions to take to reduce the risk of fire damage and accidents. For instance, you should always utilize a fireplace or stove screen and keep anything that is flammable at least 3 feet from it. In addition to that, you should install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home, which will notify you if any dangerous gases are detected. It is not advisable to leave a fire unattended as even a small flame could cause an explosive explosion. You should also only use a metal ash bucket and shovel to remove the ashes from your fireplace or wood stove. Keep the ash away from anything that could ignite.
Lighting the Fire
To start a fire, put a layer of dry and cut logs on the ground with ash. Add a layer of twigs, kindling and ash to the pile. Make sure there is enough space between each piece of wood to allow for air flow, as this will help prevent the fire from dying too quickly. If you require assistance to get your fire going Try adding some firelighters to the mix.
Open an opening to let the fire breathe the oxygen it requires to burn brightly. wood burning fireplace is especially important for modern homes that are typically sealed tight and lack natural airflow or drafts.
Once your fire has built up, you can start adding larger pieces of wood to it. It is important to remember that even seasoned hardwoods like oak and hickory produce plenty of creosote when they are burned.
In general, you should 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 need to use fresh or newly cut firewood, ensure you do it with a lot of caution because it will produce more smoke and could cause more creosote.