The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) confirmed that US fire departments responded to 346,800 house structure fires per year from 2015 to 2019. This means that, on average, there was a house fire in the country every few minutes. While there are many potential causes of house fires, one common culprit is a puff back.
What Is Puff Back?
A puff back is an event that can happen when a home’s oil-fired heating system malfunctions and oil sprays out of the furnace, igniting and creating a large fire. The name puff back comes from the large cloud of black smoke that often accompanies the fire.
Many homeowners and business owners keep contact numbers of fire restoration companies (click here to learn more) on hand in case of a puff back, as the fire and smoke damage can be extensive. These professionals can help clean up the mess and get your home or business back to normal as quickly as possible.
How Does Puff Back Start a Fire?
Puff back can start a fire in several ways, including:
- One of the most common causes is when soot from the flue gas builds up on surfaces inside the chimney. This soot can easily ignite if it comes into contact with a spark or heat source.
- Another common cause of puff back is when moisture accumulates in the furnace or boiler. This can happen if the unit isn’t properly vented or if there’s a problem with the chimney. When the moisture turns to steam, it can cause an explosive reaction that blows flames and soot out the unit.
How to Avoid a Puff Back
There are several ways to avoid a puff back, but the most important is having a qualified technician’s heating system regularly serviced. Other tips include:
- Keeping your furnace clean and free of dirt, dust, and other debris
- Not overloading your furnace with too much furniture or other items
- Making sure your vents are clear and not blocked
- Closing off unused rooms that aren’t being heated
- Not using an oven or stovetop to heat your home
- keeping flammable materials like rugs, curtains, and furniture away from your furnace
Puff backs can be hazardous and destructive events, so you should know how to avoid them.
What to Do If a Fire Occurs Due to a Puff Back
If a fire starts in your home due to a puff back, take these steps:
- Go out of the house and call 911.
- Don’t try to fight the fire yourself.
- Leave all your belongings and exit the home immediately.
- Don’t go near the unit if you have an oil-fired heating system. It may still be hot and could explode.
- Keep a safe distance from the house until the fire department arrives.
- Call fire restoration professionals near you, like these fire restoration McLean experts.
Conclusion
The most effective way to avoid a puff back and a potential fire is to let your heating system be checked by a qualified technician regularly. If a fire occurs due to a puff back, immediately call necessary agencies, such as 911, your local fire department, restoration companies, etc.
Call restoration experts near you, such as this water damage Arlington. This is to avoid causing further damage to your house just because they took so long to arrive. Note that time is crucial when it comes to fires and their aftermaths.
