 Dryer and washing machine safety
Dryer and washing machines were involved in one out of every twenty-five home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 1999-2002. Facts and figures Dryers and washing machines were involved in an average of 13,300 home structure fires per year between 1999 and 2002. These fires causedan average of10 deaths, 280 injuries and $97 million in direct property damage per year. Clothes dryers and washing machines were involved in 4% of the home structure firesreportedbetween 1999 and 2002. Clothes dryers accounted for 93% of the fires; washing machines 4%, and washer and dryer combinations accounted for 3%. The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (30%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (19%). Sixteen percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or short circuit. Almost one third (31%) of these fires started with the ignition of clothing. In one quarter (24%), dust, fiber, or lint was the first item ignited. Source: NFPA's U.S.Home Product Report: Appliances and Equipment Involved in Fires, November, 2005.
What Can a Homeowner Do?
Using the right type of exhaust pipe is the first step in reducing lint buildup. Some vents are made of plastic-coated flexible wire. The 4" diameter white-plastic or aluminum-foil exhaust duct typically used to exhaust the heated air from clothes dryers can create a dangerous fire hazard if not inspected regularly and kept clean of lint. The ribbed surface inside can slow the air movement and catch lint.
A better solution is using sheet metal vent pipes. They are more fire resistant and can help contain a fire should one start. Another advantage of sheet metal vent pipes is the rigid metal cannot be smashed in between the wall and the dryer as easily as plastic vents.
To facilitate airflow the exhaust pipe should be as short as possible and have a limited number of bends. When designing your home or locating the clothes dryer, place it near an outside wall. Also use pop rivets, and not screws, to connect metal vent pipe pieces. The pop rivets do not collect as much lint as the threaded ends of screws inside the vent pipe.
And finally, properly maintain the dryer by cleaning the lint out of the exhaust pipe and the exhaust of the dryer once a year. Not only will you be reducing the chances of a dryer fire, but this should result in faster drying times and energy savings also.
1"1997 Residential Fire Loss Estimates", Table 1 Estimated Fire Losses in Residential Structures -- Selected Equipment, 1997; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
All-Saf is proud to introduce the Hose Recaller. The Hose Recaller is an electrically operated, foot controlled hose rolling machine guaranteed to cut labor costs dramatically by allowing one person to easily roll sections of fire hose after use or testing.
This picture is of a brass co2 valve manufactured by General when they were still operational. The valve shown seperated at the point where the threads adjoin the main valve body in what could have been a catastrophic event. Fortunately none of our technicians were injured.