Pacific energy SPECTRUM, Installation And Operating Instructions Manual

280514-24 

SUPER-SD1 5

Creosote

Formation and Need for Removal

When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other or-
ganic vapours, which combine with expelled moisture to form 
creosote.  The creosote vapours condense in the relatively 
cool chimney fl ue of a slow burning fi re.  As a result, creosote 
residue accumulates on the fl ue lining.  When ignited, this 
creosote makes an extremely hot fi re.  The chimney connector 
and chimney should be inspected periodically (at least once 
every two months) during the heating season to determine if 
a creosote buildup has occurred. If creosote has accumulated 
(3 mm. or more), it should be removed to reduce the risk of 
a chimney fi re.

1.   Highest smoke densities occur when a large amount of 

wood is added to a bed of hot coals and the air inlet is 
closed.  The heated wood generates smoke, but without 
ample air, the smoke cannot burn.  Smoke-free, clean 
burning requires small fuel loads, two or three logs at 
a time or 1/4 to 1/2 of fuel load and leaving the air inlet 
relatively wide open, especially during the fi rst 10 to 30 
minutes after each loading, when most of the smoke 
generating reactions are occurring.  After 30 minutes or 
so, the air inlet can be turned down substantially without 
excessive smoke generation.  Wood coals create very 
little creosote-producing smoke.

2.    The cooler the surface over which the wood smoke is pass-

ing, the more creosote will be condensed.  Wet or green 
wood contributes signifi cantly to creosote formation as the 
excess moisture that is boiled off cools the fi re, making 
it difficult for the tars and gases to ignite, thus creating 
dense smoke and poor combustion.  This moisture-laden 
smoke cools the chimney, compounding the problem by 
offering the smoke the ideal place to condense.

In summary, a certain amount of creosote is inevitable 
and must be lived with. Regular inspection and cleaning is 
the solution.  The use of dry, seasoned wood and ample 
combustion air will help to minimize the buildup.

Chimney Fires

The result of excessive creosote buildup is a chimney fi re.  
Chimney fi res are dangerous. Chimney inside temperatures 
can exceed 2000°F(1100˚C).  This causes much higher than 
normal temperatures in the chimney and on its exterior sur-
faces.  Thus ignition of nearby or touching combustible material 
is more likely during a chimney fi re.  Proper clearances are 
critical during such a fi re.
Chimney fi res are easy to detect; they usually involve one or 
more of the following:
 

-Flames and sparks shooting out of the top of the chimney

-A roaring sound

-Vibration of the chimney

In Case of a Chimney Fire

1.  Prepare to evacuate to ensure everyone's safety.  Have 

a well understood plan of action for evacuation. Have a 
place outside where everyone is to meet.

2.  Close air inlet on stove.

3.  Call local fi re department.  Have a fi re extinguisher handy.  

Contact your local municipal or provincial fi re authority for 
further information on how to handle a chimney fi re.  It is 
most important that you have a clearly understood plan 
on how to handle a chimney fi re.

4.  After the chimney fi re is out, the chimney must be cleaned 

and checked for stress and cracks before starting another 
fi re.  Also check combustibles around the chimney and 
the roof.

- The services of a competent or certifi ed installer, (certifi ed 
by the Wood Energy Technical Training program (WETT) - in 
Canada, Hearth Education Foundation (HEARTH) - in U.S.A.,) 
are strongly recommended.

Avoiding a Chimney Fire

There are two ways to avoid chimney fi res:
1.  Do not let creosote build up to a point where a big chimney 

fi re is possible.

2.  Do not have fi res in the heater that may ignite chimney 

fi res.  These are hot fi res, such as when burning household 
trash, cardboard, Christmas tree limbs, or even ordinary 
fuel wood; (e.g.. with a full load on a hot bed of coals and 
with the air inlet excessively open.)