Dryer Vent Safety

We know that Dryer Vent safety is important, but do you know why? The following information should give you some insight as to why this innocent appliance.        The How’s and Whys of a Dryer Fire    A clothes dryer works by forcing hot air through a turning drum. Wet clothes placed in the drum are then dried by the moving hot air. It is possible for a full load of wet clothes to contain as much as one and a half gallons of water. Lint is created from the clothes as the water is removed and the clothes dry. While much of the lint is trapped by the dryer's filter, lint also is carried through the venting system, together with moist air.  The accumulation of lint, both in the dryer and in the dryer vent, reduces the airflow and creates a highly flammable fuel source. In addition to the accumulation of lint, blockage in dryer exhaust vents also can occur from the nests of small birds and animals or from bends in the venting system itself. A compromised vent will not exhaust properly to the outside. Overheating may result. If enough heat is produced to ignite the lint itself or nearby combustible items, such as the clothes in the dryer or combustibles left nearby, the engineered safety mechanisms are compromised and fire ensues. Leading Factors Contributing to Residential Building Dryer Fires Proper maintenance for clothes dryers involves removing the lint from the traps, vents, and surrounding areas of the dryer. Not unexpectedly, the leading factor contributing to ignition for dryer fires is operation deficiencies - specifically "failure to clean." Failure to clean accounts for 70% of dryer fire operational deficiency contributing factors. Other leading factors contributing to dryer fires include "mechanical failure," "electrical failure," and "misuse of material or product." A clothes dryer that has to work harder to evacuate lint and moisture can trigger enough heat to cause some dryer components to malfunction and can sometimes produce sparks or even flames. The overheating can sometimes produce enough heat to ignite lint or other nearby combustibles.    Clothes Dryer Venting Systems For optimal venting the exhaust should vent directly outside the house. Flexible foil vents are not the best choice for venting clothes dryers and really not recommended. Flexible vents can sag, allowing lint to build up and catch on fire if it comes in contact with a sufficient amount of heat. If a fire starts beneath the dryer when the motor overheats, then the drafts from the dryer can pull that fire up into the duct and venting allowing a house fire to develop. Using smooth sided metal vents is much safer and is recommended. Conclusion In most cases, clothes dryer fires can be prevented. "Failure to clean" is the number one factor contributing to clothes dryer fires, followed by mechanical and electrical failure. Clogged dryer vents occurring from lint buildup may make the dryer operate incorrectly and raise the temperature of the dryer machinery high enough to ignite lint or nearby combustibles. The exhaust vent should be as short as possible and have limited bends to allow sufficient airflow. Improper items placed in the dryer, such as plastic, foam, or other synthetic materials also can increase the risk of fire. Make sure to follow the recommended safety tips for operating clothes dryers safely. The photo below is a clogged dryer vent just waiting to be a hazard.    In particular, by following installation guidelines and performing regular inspections on dryer vents, consumers can protect themselves further from clothes dryer fires. Depending on the frequency of use, how long the vent is, or the age and type of dryer used, dryer vents need inspection on average every 2 to 3 years. If you do not feel comfortable cleaning or inspecting the dryer vent yourself, you can call a duct cleaning service.