Fire Hazard Alert – Is Your Dryer Ready To Ignite

By Donald Grummett

In recent years there has been many stories about dryers
catching on fire*. Should we be concerned? Yes of course. We
should take seriously anything that may put our family at risk.

Was the problem the dryer? Rarely.

After investigating it is usually determined to have been the
venting within the home catching on fire, and not the dryer.

The drying process

When clothes are being dried inside your family dryer there are
two processes happening. Firstly, heat is applied to the air
inside the dryer drum as it turns. This raises its internal
temperature to approximately 165 degrees Fahrenheit and causing
moisture to be driven out of the clothes by evaporation.
Secondly, a constant flow of air is passed through the clothes.
Surprisingly, the real trick to efficiently dry clothes is not
the heat, but rather this vast volume of air.

Most people think the purpose of venting is to push the heat
and lint outside. Actually, its primary purpose is to dump the
moisture outside the home. This job is accomplished easily when
the dryer is near an outside wall.

The venting pipe

In many new houses the laundry room is located in the centre of
the home, close to the family room or kitchen. If located
upstairs it is often between the bedrooms, to allow easier
access to laundry. Easier access, but the distance from the
dryer to an outside wall is substantially longer. This leads to
the crux of our problem. The venting is either too long, or has
become restricted.

It is more difficult to push air down a long venting pipe than
a short one. When the venting is too long the excess air can
cause the venting to misbehave. This results in the moisture and
lint collecting in the venting, rather than being dumped
outside.

Taken to extremes lint can block the venting closed. When this
happens it can cause the dryer to overheat. The normal drum
temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit can quickly shoot up to
300 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It may even get hot enough to
allow lint in the venting to ignite.

For this reason manufacturers now suggest a maximum venting
length of 15 feet. Excluding the first two elbows.

True venting length

If you want to know the true equivalent length of dryer
venting, calculate the following:

1. Measure all the straight lengths and add them together
2. Count the number of turns or elbows, and multiply this
number by 4
3. Add up the totals of steps 1 and 2

Example: 20 feet of venting with 4 turns would actually be: 20
feet + 4X4 feet = 36 feet

Don’t be surprised by the true equivalent length of your
venting. In modern homes it can be substantially longer than the
manufacturers suggested maximum.

Watch for these signs

If the blockage becomes critical the dryer will stop doing its
job properly. As a homeowner watch for the following signs that
the venting may be starting to block.

· Clothes coming out wet
· Excess lint left on clothes at cycle end
· Inside of dryer feels wet
· Taking too long to dry a load
· Clothes very hot at end of cycle
· Electrical consumption greatly increased

Since you can't move the laundry room the best thing you can do
is be aware that the problem exists. Consider taking down the
venting and cleaning out the lint buildup during your annual
spring-cleaning. Also, regularly walk outside and check the vent
cap where it exits your house. Remove any lint buildup and make
sure the flap moves freely.

If for any reason you suspect a venting problem turn off the
dryer, unplug it, and call your appliance service company. Tell
them your concerns, and ask for their help. As the old saying
states, "better safe than sorry".

* There are an average of 14,5oo dryer fires every year.
National Fire Prevention Association

About the Author: Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All right
reserved. In the trade over 30 years as a technician, business
owner, and technical trainer. For more information about
appliances including FAQ, Stain guide, and Recycling visit
http://www.mgservices.ca

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