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The Dangers of a Wood Burning Fire A wood burning fire can offer a warm and enjoyable experience. However, it can produce toxic combustion products. It is important to learn about how wood burns and how to use your fireplace. Choose seasoned or kiln-dried logs. Logs that are seasoned are less moist and can be more hot than unseasoned logs. Burning Time The burning of wood is a very efficient and traditional method of heating. This kind of fire can release pollutants from both the indoor and outdoor environment that can be detrimental to the human body. Skillful use of a well-designed fireplace can reduce the negative effects of burning wood. The duration of a fire depends on its temperature. The temperature of the fire will influence the amount of smoke produced and the amount of carbon monoxide released. If the levels of carbon monoxide are high, they may hinder the escape of people from a burning structure. To avoid this, it is essential to keep the fire at a the lowest temperature. In the first phase of a wood-fire, volatile gases such as methane and Methanol are released from the cellulose of the wood. These gases are non-combustible or combustible depending on the moisture content and the pyrolysis temperature of the sample. The temperature of the process can rise to 325 degrees Celsius. At this point, cellulose begins to break down, forming tar and coal. This process is called wood pyrolysis. Burning wood releases toxic combustion products like dioxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and PAHs. PAHs are known to cause cancer and other illnesses in humans and animals. They can also cause contamination of soil and water. The wood must be burned in an area which is adequately ventilated to limit the effects of PAHs. A wood stove with an extended burn feature can sustain visible flames for hours, while using a minimum of fuel. This method involves layering wood with lighter kindling and larger pieces to prevent the fire burning out too quickly. This method can be used to create a the appearance of a fire that produces high temperatures for use over the night or while you are at work. The duration of a wood fire depends on a number of factors, including the moisture content of the wood. Dry wood burns faster than damp wood. The surface's absorptivity affects the duration of its burning. Simms [59] discovered that the critical heat flux needed to ignite oak and Mahogany samples with coated surfaces was significantly lower than that without them. Temperature The temperature of the fire is extremely crucial. It affects the speed at which it burns and the heat it produces. It also influences how dangerous it is when someone is burned. It also influences the amount of smoke that is produced. Smoke can cause irritation to eyes and throats, which is why it is best to avoid breathing it in. When wood is burned, it creates lots of heat and it can reach very high temperatures. The temperature of a fire can differ based on the type of wood that is used and its moisture content. fireplacesandstove.com , for instance is likely to burn at lower temperatures than dry wood. Wet wood absorbs more water, and consequently produces less heat. It is essential to burn dry wood. You must also make sure that the wood is seasoned before burning. When the wood reaches its highest burning temperature it will release a lot of heat and ash. The amount of ash released depends on the type of wood and how hot. Certain woods like oak and larch create very small amounts of ash. Other woods, like the birch, produce an enormous 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 transforms the organic compounds in the wood to methane and carbon dioxide. The gas produced is taken up by the air. When the wood is heated, the gases will rise and ignite the wood's surface, creating a flame that will heat the wood until it combusts. It is important to avoid touching the fire with bare skin, because it can cause burns. Avoid touching the wood-burning fire with your naked hands as it can cause serious burns. You can lower the chance of burning by wearing a pair of gloves and working in a ventilated area. It is also recommended to wear a protective mask when working with an open flame made of wood to avoid inhaling smoke. Smoke Wood burning fires release smoke which is a mixture of gases and fine particles (also called particulate matter, or PM) which are harmful air pollutant. PM from wood combustion may contain harmful organic compounds, such as formaldehyde and benzene and mineral particles such as calcium magnesium, and potassium. These particles can trigger a variety of health issues that include cancer and respiratory diseases. When people inhale wood smoke they also breathe in carbon monoxide (CO) which is an inert gas with no odor and color which can cause deadly poisoning in small doses. The smoke that is produced by a wood fire is largely due to volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons) that evaporate from the burning material. The smoke contains water vapor as well as the by-products from incomplete burning (such as creosote) and some unburned materials called ash. It is best to make use of seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. Split logs that have been stored out of the elements and dried for a period of time until they reach an average moisture content of 20 to 25 percent, burn less and produce less creosote. A good way to test the moisture content of a log is to knock it on both sides. A damp log will sound dull while wood that is seasoned will sound sharp. The smoke and the other combustion byproducts are released through the chimney. If the ventilation system of your home isn't adequate and the chimney is insufficiently able to draw air, and may cause a back draft, which could cause the byproducts of the fire to accumulate inside the house. This can result in an accumulation of carbon monoxide, as creosote and flammable cinders. Smoke from fires that burn wood can be especially hazardous to people over the age of 65, those suffering from lung or heart conditions children, and outdoor avids. Smoke from wildfires can have a negative impact on the health of older adults, those with heart or lung disease, children and people who are active outdoors. Safety There are a few steps you can take using a wood-burning fire to minimize the risk. You should always use a wood stove or fireplace screen and keep all flammable items at 3 feet from the fire. Carbon monoxide and Smoke detectors must also be put in place in your home to warn you if dangerous gases are detected. You should never leave a fire unattended because even a small flame can cause an explosive explosion. You should use a metal ash bucket and a shovel for removing the ashes from your fireplace or wood stove. Keep it away from any flammable items. Lighting the Fire To start an fire, first lay down an even layer of cleft and dry logs on the top of a bed of ash. Add a layer of twigs, kindling and ash to the pile. It is crucial to leave enough space between the pieces of wood for airflow. This will help prevent the fire from burning too fast. If you need additional help in getting your fire going Try adding a few firelighters to the mix. Open a window to let the fire get the oxygen needed to make it burn brightly. This is particularly important for modern homes, which are often tightly insulated and do not have natural draft or ventilation. Once the fire has built up, you should add larger pieces of wood. It is important to keep in mind that even mature hardwoods such as oak and hickory will produce plenty of creosote when they are burned. If you can, only burn the wood that has been seasoned or kiln-dried in order to minimize the possibility of creosote build-up up in your chimney. If you have to use green or newly cut firewood, be very careful as it will produce more smoke and can cause more creosote.