Winter warmth, without the risk: the homeowners guide to fire safety

Many households across South Africa beat the winter chills with a comforting fire. While it is important to ensure that your home is covered in the event of fire damage, ensuring that you adhere to fire safety practices is equally important to help mitigate the associated risks. Here are some top fire safety tips to give homeowners peace of mind this winter:

Essential chimney TLC
Some homeowners are fortunate enough to have a fireplace. While many homeowners are diligent at cleaning their fireplaces to keep them free of flammable debris and ash, it is just as vital to maintain chimneys. Over time, depending on the kind of fuel that is being burnt, substances like soot, ash and tar can accumulate in chimneys and lead to blockages. The build-up of these blockages can prevent hazardous by-products and chemicals from flowing through and out of the chimney effectively.

Not only does this pose a serious threat in terms of a fire risk, but harmful gases like carbon monoxide can be seriously damaging to the health of the people residing in the household. To safeguard against these risks, chimneys should be checked and cleaned regularly – preferably before the onset of the cold weather, to avoid potential financial losses if you are not covered.

Gas safety
Some houses are fitted with gas-powered fireplaces. However, people who use gas need to be very careful, both in terms of how they get their gas fireplaces installed and how they store their gas cylinders.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 states that all gas installations must be accompanied by a certificate of conformity verifying that the fireplace is safety compliant and leak-free. Avoiding the cost of using a certified installer may seem like a good idea to save on short-term expenses, but in the long run, it could end up costing homeowners much more than they anticipated.

For example, not being able to produce a certificate of conformity in the event of a fire damage claim could result in the claim being repudiated. Not being properly compliant could also lead to complications and a lower valuation when homeowners try to sell their property later down the line.

The Act also sets out strict rules detailing how gas cylinders need to be stored. For instance, gas bottles must be installed at least 1 metre sideways from a door or window or at least 2 metres from a drain or air vent. Likewise, gas bottles may not be installed less than 1 metre from your property’s boundary wall. It is also important that gas bottles be at least 1.5 metres away from lightbulbs and 5 metres sideways from a switchable electric point or plug switch. Using a qualified installer from the outset will ensure that all these compliance boxes are ticked.

Safeguards for thatched roofs
Many homeowners have thatched roofs in their entertainment areas and South Africans are known for their love of braais. However, a thatched roof is particularly hazardous when it comes to the spreading of fire. The insurance market has reduced its capacity and exposure in terms of obtaining insurance for thatched properties. So for this reason, it is recommended that homeowners maintain their thatched roofs and conduct regular checks for rot, moss, fungi, algae and excess debris, especially within the top layers of the structure.

A thatched roof specialist will be able to provide advice on how to keep the structure as dry as possible and how often it should be cleaned – usually at least every five to eight years.

To protect their homes and valuable assets, some homeowners may choose to install extra precautions such as sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, portable fire hydrants and other fire-fighting equipment. Naturally, having these safeguards in place also comes with maintenance and compliance requirements.

Speak to the experts
It is important to work closely with a trusted insurance adviser, who plays a key role in helping you understand the terms and conditions of your policies and will help to ensure that you meet all the requirements should you need to submit a claim.

As risk experts, insurance advisers can also provide homeowners with the foresight they need to identify other potential risks they might face, ensuring peace of mind that their property remains covered in the long term.