The Dangers of a Wood Burning Fire
A wood-burning fire can be a comfortable and peaceful experience. However, it can also produce harmful combustion products. It is crucial to learn about the way that wood burns and how to properly utilize your fireplace.
Choose mature logs or Kiln dried logs. Seasoned logs hold less moisture, and are able to burn longer and hotter than unseasoned logs.
Burning Time
The burning of wood is a very effective and traditional method of heating. This kind of fire can release pollutants from both the indoor and outdoor environment that are harmful to the human body. A well-designed fireplace, when used with skill, can reduce the negative effects of burning wood.
The amount of time a wood fire lasts is determined by how hot it is. The temperature of the fire can affect the amount of smoke that is produced, as does how much carbon monoxide is released. If the levels of carbon monoxide are high, they could impede the escape of occupants from a burning building. It is important to keep the temperature of the fire at a lower level the fire in order to prevent this.
In the first phase of a wood fire volatile gases like methane and methanol are released from the cellulose of the wood. These gases are combustible and non-combustible depending on the moisture level and pyrolysis temperatures of the sample. The temperature of pyrolysis rises to around 350 degrees Celsius. At this point, cellulose begins to decompose and forms charcoal and tar. This process is known as wood pyrolysis.
In addition to the volatile gases burning wood releases a myriad of other harmful combustion products, such as dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs have been linked to cancer and other illnesses in humans as well as in animals. They also can cause soil and water contamination. To lessen the negative harmful effects of PAHs wood should be burned in a properly ventilated area.
A wood stove equipped with an extended burn feature can keep visible flames burning for hours while consuming a minimum of fuel. This method involves layering wood with lighter kindling and larger pieces to avoid the fire burning out too fast. This technique can be used to create a the appearance of a fire that produces high temperatures for use over the night or even while working.
The length of a fire is determined by many factors, including the moisture content of the wood. Dry wood will have a lower burning time than damp wood. The absorptivity on the sample surface can also affect the duration of its burning. Simms [59] observed that the critical heat flux required to ignite oak and mahogany samples was significantly lower for coated surfaces than those without.
Temperature
The temperature of the fire is extremely important. The temperature of a fire can affect how quickly it burns and the amount of heat it creates. It also affects the danger in the event of a person being burned. It also affects how much smoke is generated. Smoke can cause irritation to eyes and throats, which is why it is recommended to not breathe it into.
When wood burns, it creates plenty of heat and can even reach high temperatures. The temperature of the fire can be affected by the type of wood and the moisture content. Wet wood, for instance, will burn at lower temperatures than dry wood. Wet wood absorbs more water and therefore produces less heat. It is essential to use dry wood, and you should also make sure that the wood is well-seasoned before burning it.
When the wood reaches its highest burning temperature, it will release a great deal of heat and ash. The amount of ash released will be based on the kind of wood being burned and the heat at which it burns. Some woods such as oak and larch create very small amounts of ash. Others, such as the birch, produce an enormous amount of ash.
When the wood is burned, it will go through an pyrolysis procedure that is three-stages. This process starts with an chemical reaction that converts the organic compounds present in the wood into carbon dioxide and methane. The resulting gases are taken up by the air. When the wood is heated, the gases will rise and ignite the surface of the wood and create an ember that heats it up until it combusts.
It is important to avoid touching the fire with bare skin, since it could cause burns. It is also important to avoid touching the fire with skin that is not covered as it could cause burns. You can reduce your risk of burning yourself by wearing a pair of gloves and working in a ventilated area. It is also recommended to wear a protective mask when working with a wood burning fire to avoid inhaling the smoke.
Smoke
Smoke from wood burning fires is and a mix of fine particles and gases (also known as particulate matter, or PM) that contain harmful air pollutant. PM from wood combustion could contain toxic organic compounds like formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as mineral particles like potassium, calcium and magnesium. These particles can trigger a range of health issues such as cancer and respiratory diseases. Inhaling wood smoke can also cause people to inhale CO, a odorless, colorless gas that is fatal in small doses.
The smoke emitted by a wood fire is mostly from volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons) which are vaporized from the burning material. The smoke also contains water vapor, the byproducts of incomplete combustion (such as creosote) as well as some unburned material known as ash.
It is recommended to make use of seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. Logs that have been cut and stored away from the weather and allowed to dry until they have been seasoned (a moisture content of 20-25 percent) will burn more slowly and produce less creosote. A good way to check the moisture content of a wood log is to knock it on two sides. 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 home's ventilation system isn't adequate, the chimney may be not able to draw enough air and create an air draft that can cause the byproducts of the fire to accumulate inside the house. This could lead to an accumulation of carbon monoxide as well as flammable cinders and creosote.
Smoke from wood-burning fires can be especially hazardous to people over the age of 65, those who suffer from lung or heart diseases, children, and outdoor enthusiasts. Smoke from wildfires can affect the health of older adults, those suffering from heart or lung disease, children, and those who exercise.
Safety
When you are using a wood-burning fire, there are certain steps you can take to minimize the risk of fire-related accidents and damage. For instance, you should always use a fireplace or wood stove screen, and keep anything flammable at least three feet from it. Additionally, you should have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, which will alert you if any harmful gases are detected. It is also essential to never leave a fire burning unattended, as even a small spark can cause an explosion. In the same way, 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 the Fire
To start a fire first put a layer of dry and cleft logs on a bed of ash. Add a layer of twigs, a kindling and ash to the pile. It is essential to leave enough space between the pieces of wood to allow airflow. This will prevent the fire from fading too quickly. If you need additional help in getting your fire going consider adding a few flames to the mix.
Open a window to let the fire breathe the oxygen it needs to burn brightly. This is particularly crucial for modern homes which are typically sealed tight and have no natural ventilation or drafts.
Once your fire has built up, you can begin adding progressively larger pieces of wood to it. However, it is important to keep in mind that even mature hardwoods like oak and hickory produce a large amount of creosote when burned so you should try to avoid burning them as much as possible.
If you can, only burn wood that has been seasoned or kiln dried in order to minimize the chance of creosote forming up in your chimney. If very small wood burning stove must use green or newly cut firewood, be cautious because it will create more smoke and cause more creosote.