Sun City Fire and Medical Department/submitted photo
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Jim Fox
Sun City Fire District/submitted photo
Sun City Fire District administrative office 18602 N. 99th Ave. Sun City, AZ
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By Jim Fox, Sun City fire marshal
Here are some tips to reduce the potential for a fire in your Home.
Exhaust fans commonly found in the ceilings of bathrooms and laundry rooms have caused numerous fires in residential and commercial buildings. Exhaust fan fires are typically caused by electrical arcing in the fan motor and starting the accumulation of lint and dust on fire. A quick look at your exhaust fan will offer some information. If the cover is discolored or an accumulation of dust or lint is on the cover, it is time to clean your exhaust fan.
Other possible signs could include odd sounds and smells. If the fan is slow to start or a noise is coming from the fan, this is a sign to check the fan.
Prior to cleaning the exhaust fan, consider the age of the fan. If the fan is older you may want to replace the fan. Hire a licensed contractor to replace the fan with a thermally insulated fan. If you hear a scraping noise from the fan when it starts, please contact a licensed contractor to investigate. Over time a building will settle, this could prevent the fan from rotating freely.
Pay attention to the smell in your bathroom. If it smells like smoke, immediately turn the fan off and dial 911. It is important to catch the early signs of potential issues.
You can reduce a potential fire by performing the following simple maintenance:
Removing the dusty buildup on the cover. Safely remove the cover, open the vent louvers and soak it in warm soapy water, let the cover dry and replace it.
Have a professional clean the exhaust ducts.
Use LED light bulbs instead of incandescent or halogen light bulbs.
Clean the motor housing using canned air. Turn the fan on and quickly spray the housing to remove the dust particles.
The cleaning of your exhaust fans should be completed at a minimum of twice per year.
If you have any doubt about the age of your fan or if it is dirty, contact a licensed professional and have them inspect your exhaust fans.
Editor’s Note: We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
