As temperatures drop, the “heating season” begins. Structure fires accounted for 36% of all fires in 2010, with 80% of those structure fires being residential. Every 24 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the nation. Heating systems account for a large majority of structure fires, due to lack of maintenance and inspection. The perception is the systems will operate correctly year after year, with little thought on the potential hazards they present.

There are multiple forms of heating systems: forced air, wood stoves, fire places, space heaters and portable heaters as well as multiple fuel sources such as natural gas, fuel oil, propane and solid fuel burning systems. The type of system and the different fuel sources present unique hazards which must be evaluated individually by type and application. The heating systems are not the only concern as the fuel source is critical as well. The fuel source presents unique hazards with some being more hazardous than others.

Residential structure fires lead the percentage in structure fires, however, commercial and industrial structures have the same exposures and in many cases the same types of systems with greater volume of fuel source to add to the exposure.

The occurrence of structure fires can be reduced with a little preventative maintenance and good safety habits.

For more information and safety tips for furnaces and wood burners please click the link below.

Safety Tips for Heating Systems

 

Brought to you by Whitaker-Myers Insurance Group in Wooster Ohio and Westfield Insurance.

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