Wildfires include all unintentional and unwanted fires. Some occur naturally, such as those caused by lightning, but many are caused by humans. In fact, from 2014 to 2018, about 88% of wildfires were a result of human activity.
Whether you’re spending time in nature or cozying up at home, fire safety is crucial for preventing wildfires. If you live in a house with a wood-burning fireplace, installing a wire mesh screen on your chimney will reduce the risk of unplanned fires. This is because metal mesh can inhibit sparks and embers from drifting out of your chimney.
Confined fires include those enclosed in chimneys, flues, and flue burners. While they don’t spread like wildfires, they’re extremely dangerous. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), confined fires make up almost 90% of heating fires in residential structures.
A wire mesh chimney cap can help you avoid confined fires. It will keep animals, branches, bird nests, and other chimney-clogging fire hazards out.
Make a DIY Wire Mesh Chimney Cap for Your Home
Fire safety should be a priority every day of the year. With that said, windy weather and dry climates pose an elevated risk.
- If embers float out of your chimney and reach dry grass or trees nearby, a fire is likely to start.
- Heavy winds can blow twigs, branches, leaves, and other dry debris into your chimney, which puts your home at risk for a confined fire.
Chimneys vary in terms of shape and size. To ensure a cap fits your chimney, you can make a DIY screen out of heavy-duty wire mesh. A protective mesh screen will help you avoid fires in your house, yard, and the surrounding area. Metal screens also repel rain, which can drip down your chimney and cause water damage to your ceiling and walls.
Some cities require screens on all chimneys, but building codes and fire safety laws vary by area. Check the residential laws in your area to find out whether a chimney cap is required, and if so, which materials you’re allowed to use.
At-Home Fire Safety
Whether you rent or own your home, it’s up to you to take the necessary steps to prevent residential fires. Aside from installing a chimney cap, protective fireplace screens are a great solution.
Creosote, an oily substance that accumulates in wood-burning fireplaces and chimneys, prevents proper air circulation. With an excess of creosote and soot, your chimney cap can clog, which can lead to unintentional fires. A buildup of snow and ice can obstruct the flow of oxygen, which also elevates the risk of a fire.
For these reasons, keeping your chimney and its cap clean and free of obstruction are critical components of at-home fire safety. Not only that, but adequate airflow is essential for building fires, so regular cleaning is also important for efficiency.
Industrial-Grade Metal Mesh Screens from TWP Inc.
For over 50 years, TWP Inc. has been the premier resource for industrial-grade wire mesh products. Our women-owned business is dedicated to providing high-quality materials to various commercial industries, as well as to homeowners for residential DIY projects.
Wire mesh can be used for many fire-safety applications. When you browse our products, you’ll find a broad range of materials suitable for chimney caps, spark arrestors, and fireplace screens. We carry metal mesh with both plain and welded weaves in a multitude of opening sizes, diameters, and widths. TWP Inc. offers many metal mesh materials, including stainless steel and copper, which are ideal for fire prevention.
To get started, get your wire mesh today or request a quote on a custom order.
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