Preventing Dryer Fires

Preventing Dryer Fires

Clothes Dryers
The clothes dryer is a very common appliance in most residential homes.  In fact, it's even considered a necessity by many.  But did you know that according to data compiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approximately 12,700 residential building fires occur each year in the United States that are attributable to clothes dryers¹?  Yes, this common appliance that most people in the U.S. have come to rely on can be very dangerous if not properly maintained.

Dryer Operation

Per normal operation, dryers remove water from clothes, and by design the resultant lint accumulates in the trap.  Dryers are equipped with this filter to minimize the amount of lint that goes through the venting system, however some of the lint inevitably passes through the trap and exits the building.  What happens over time is that the lint that is not caught in the trap accumulates in the vent.  If the vent is not cleaned regularly, the dryer works harder to do its job.  But more importantly, a fire hazard is created.  The unit overheats from the excess work it has to do and the lint serves as an igniter for the heat.  Factors contributing to dryer fires include mechanical malfunction, electrical failure and improper use of the appliance.  Failure to clean the trap and vent is the leading cause of dryer-related fires, accounting for approximately 70% of all dryer-related fires according to FEMA.²

Dryer Maintenance

Similar to many other aspects of a home and its components, proper maintenance of a dryer begins at the time of installation.  Airflow through the vent system must be kept unimpeded at all times.  Common mistakes include situations where dryers are left to rest on their vents - either immediately after installation or some time later when the dryer is moved.

Tips for proper dryer installation:

• Use metal vents that are rigid or flexible
• Make sure your vents are straight, with as short a distance as possible to the exterior of the building
• Make sure the exterior vent cap is unimpeded
• Adjust the legs on the dryer to ensure the unit is level: the rotating drum is designed to operate on a level surface so that it doesn't damage the appliance.
• Do not use plastic flexible ducts between the dryer and the vent: the plastic can help facilitate fires

Never allow vents to terminate in an attic, crawlspace, chimney or any other area on the interior of the house: the exhaust air is filled with moisture which can be a biological hazard, and the hot air along with the lint is a fire hazard.

Dryer location and the importance of cleaning

The ideal location of a dryer is close to an exterior wall so that the vent is as short as possible.  In older homes this is where most dryers were located.  Today's home builders tend to place laundry rooms towards the inner most location of the house - sometimes on upper floors, hallways or even closets.  This means the vents are longer and more complex, employing various turns to get the air out of the house.  The added length and complexity allows more lint to accumulate in the vent, further necessitating the need for frequent cleaning.

Dryer Maintenance

The dryer in a home should be observed over time for proper performance.  Clothes in a dryer that is not operating properly will tend to take a longer time to dry - a sure sign that the vent is clogged.  Since a clogged dryer retains more heat than usual, the clothes under these conditions will feel hotter than usual.

Tips for dryer maintenance

• Make sure the vent damper on the outside of the home is operational and that birds or other small animals have not taken refuge in the vent system
• Clean the vent system at least once a year (every 6 months for dryers that have complex vents).

If you prefer, you can hire a professional to clean the vent system for you.

• Periodically clean the exhaust pipe on the rear of the dryer

Related articles
See these links for dryer-related fire stories in Maryland.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Apps/firerescue/Press/PR_details.asp?PrID=3010
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Apps/firerescue/Press/PR_details.asp?PrID=3018Notes

 
Derrek Hicks
Marquís Home Inspections
PO Box 2699
Germantown, Maryland 20874