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The Dangers of a Wood Burning Fire A wood-burning fire can provide a cozy and relaxing experience. However, it can produce toxic combustion products. It is important to understand how wood burns, and how to use your fireplace properly. Choose the seasoned or Kiln dried logs. Logs that are seasoned hold less moisture, and can burn hotter and longer than unseasoned logs. Burning Time Heating wood with wood is a common and efficient method of heating. The fire can release indoor and outdoor pollutants that are detrimental to the human body. A well-designed fireplace, when used with skill, can reduce the negative effects of burning wood. The duration of a fire is dependent on the temperature. The temperature of the fire can affect the amount of smoke that is produced, as does how much carbon monoxide is released. Carbon monoxide can make it difficult for people to escape a burning building in the event that levels are too high. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to keep the fire at a a low level of heat. During the first stage of a wood-fire, volatile gases like methane and methanol are released from cellulose of the wood. These gases are combustible and non-combustible based on the moisture level and pyrolysis temperatures of the sample. The temperature of pyrolysis can reach 320 degrees Celsius. At this point cellulose starts to break down, creating coal and tar. This process is known as wood pyrolysis. In addition to volatile gases burning wood releases a myriad of other toxic combustion products, such as dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are linked to cancer and other illnesses both in humans and in animals. They also can cause soil and water contamination. To reduce the effects of PAHs, wood must be burned in a well ventilated area. A wood stove with an extended burn capacity can maintain visible flames using a small amount of fuel. This method of burning involves layering the wood with lighter firewood and heavier logs to stop the fire from burning too fast. This technique can be used to create a the appearance of a fire that produces high heat for overnight use or even while at work. The duration of a wood fire is based on a number of factors, including the moisture content of the wood. Dry wood will have a slower burning time than damp wood. The absorptivity of the sample surface also influences the time it takes to burn. Simms [59] discovered that the required heat flux to ignite oak and mahogany samples was significantly lower for coated surfaces than those without. Temperature The temperature of the fire is extremely crucial. It affects the speed at which it burns, as well as the heat it generates. It also affects how dangerous it is to be burned. It can also affect how much smoke is produced. Smoke can cause irritation to eyes and throats, so it's best to avoid breathing it in. When wood is burned, it generates a lot heat and can even reach high temperatures. The temperature of the fire can be affected by the type of wood used and the moisture content. Wet wood, like, will burn at less heat than dry wood. Wet wood absorbs more water, and therefore produces less heat. It is essential to use dry wood, and you should also ensure that the wood is well-seasoned before burning it. When the wood reaches a high burning temperature, a substantial amount of heat and ash are released. The amount of ash released depends on the type of wood and the heat at which it is burning. Certain types of woods, like oak and larch produce very small amounts of ash. Other woods, like the birch, produce a large amount of ash. As the wood is burned it will go through a three-stage process known as Pyrolysis. This process starts by a chemistry reaction which converts the organic compounds within the wood to methane and carbon dioxide. The resulting gases are absorbed into the air. The gases will rise as the wood is heated, and ignite its surface, creating the appearance of a fire. This heats the wood until it ignites. It is important to avoid touching the fire with bare skin, because it can cause burns. Avoid touching the wood-burning fire with bare hands as it can cause serious burns. Wearing gloves and working in an area that is ventilated can reduce the risk of being burned. Masks are recommended when working with wood-burning fires to avoid inhaling smoke. Smoke Smoke from wood burning fires is and a mix of gases and fine particles (also called particulate matter or PM) that are harmful air pollutant. The smoke from wood combustion may contain harmful organic compounds like formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and mineral particles like calcium, potassium and magnesium. These particles can cause variety of health issues such as respiratory and cancer. When people inhale wood smoke and 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 is mainly from volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons) which are vaporized from the burning material. The smoke is made up of water vapor as well as by-products of incomplete burning (such as creosote) and the small amount of unburned material called ash. When choosing the type of wood to burn in your fireplace or woodstove it is recommended to choose seasoned firewood. Split logs, which were stored away from the elements and allowed to dry for a time until they reach a moisture content of between 20 and 25 percent, burn less and produce less creosote. One way to determine the moisture content of a log is to hit it on both sides. A damp log will sound dull while wood that is seasoned will sound sharp. The heat produced by a wood fire draws air around it and the smoke and other combustion byproducts are pushed out through the chimney. If the ventilation system of your home is not adequate, the chimney may be unable to draw enough air and create an air draft that could cause the byproducts from the fire to accumulate inside the home. This can lead to an accumulation of carbon monoxide, as well as flammable cinders and creosote. Smoke from a wood-burning fire can be particularly hazardous to people over the age of 65, those suffering from heart or lung diseases, children, and those who exercise outdoors. They are more likely to experience health effects from wildfire smoke including COVID-19-related symptoms, as well as aggravated asthma and chronic heart and lung ailments. Safety If you're using a wood burning fire, there are certain precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk of fire-related accidents and damage. For example it is recommended to make use of a fireplace or wood stove screen and keep any flammable items at least 3 feet away from it. In addition, you should have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home, which will inform you if any harmful gases are detected. It is also important to never leave a fire burning unattended, since even a tiny spark could result in an explosion. You should also only use a metal ash bucket and a shovel for removing the ashes from your fireplace or wood stove. Keep the ash away from anything that could ignite. Lighting the Fire To start a fire first lay an even layer of dry and cleft logs on an ash-covered bed. Add a layer of twigs, a kindling and ash to the pile. Make sure there's enough space between each piece of wood to allow for air circulation, as this will prevent the fire from dying out too quickly. Add www.fireplacesandstove.com for extra assistance in getting your fire going. It is also an excellent idea to crack open a window when you're starting your fire, because this will help it get the oxygen it requires to burn brightly. This is particularly important for modern homes, that are often well-insulated and do not have natural draft or ventilation. Once the fire has built up, you should add more wood pieces. It is important to keep in mind that even seasoned hardwoods like oak and hickory produce plenty of creosote when they are burned. If you can, only use kiln-dried or seasoned wood, as this will reduce the possibility of creosote build-up up in your chimney. If you are forced to use green or newly cut firewood, be very careful because it will create more smoke and result in more creosote.