The Causes of Smoke in the Attic

Identification

• Attic smoke is a serious problem because attic fires are a common cause of property loss, personal injury and death in the United States. According to the Federal Emergency Management Association, or FEMA, approximately 10,000 residential attic fires are reported each year to local fire departments. Most of these fires are unconfined fires that spread rapidly. Since attics are uninhabited, these fires go unnoticed until smoke sets off smoke alarms inside the house or smoke is visible outside pouring out from the roof.

Causes

• According to FEMA, electrical malfunctions are the most common cause of attic smoke and fires. Electrical arcing is the most common heat source in attic fires. During summer months, lightening strikes are the most common cause of natural attic fires. Homeowners' carelessness is another cause of attic fires. Leaving cigarette butts near stored boxes of clothing or books can smolder and eventually catch fire. Storing flammable materials in your attic is another potential fire hazard. Chimney fires are another common cause of attic smoke and fires. These fires are usually caused by bird nests and excessive amounts of creosote on the chimney walls. When creosote is thick on chimney walls, it can easily ignite when heat is intense.

Prevention

• Since electrical malfunction is the most common cause of attic fires in residential homes, it is extremely important for homeowners to inspect and maintain wiring and equipment in the attic on a regular basis. Avoid storing flammable materials such as fireworks in your attic and place a smoke detector near your attic entrance to provide early warning when smoke seeps under the door. Keep your chimney free from debris and remove creosote from the previous year before using it in the winter. Avoid burning green woods in your fireplace, as these woods build up creosote more quickly than hardwoods.

Solutions

• If only a small amount of smoke is present in your attic or is seeping into your home from the attic it could indicate a fire is smoldering somewhere inside. When large amounts of smoke are billowing from your roof or into your home, a major fire could be present. In either case, it is best to evacuate your home and call your local fire department for an inspection. Do not ignore even a small amount of attic smoke, as this can be a sign of a serious problem.