Dublin City Council to introduce heavy charges for chimney fires - €600+

HOUSEHOLDERS IN the capital could be hit with hundreds of euro in charges for fire brigade call-outs if a proposal from Dublin City Council is approved.
The council is proposing to introduce domestic fire service charges next year, including a first-hour rate fee of €500 for call-outs to domestic fires and €610 for vehicle fires; and a €610 charge to attend a chimney fire. It also includes a first-hour fee of €610 for road traffic incidents.
The first-hour rate will be fixed and following hours are charged per tender attending. The council will discuss the plan at its annual budget meeting.
But Dublin Fire Brigade Siptu convenor Gerry Harris said the charges could cost lives. “A person who cannot afford to pay a charge might attempt to put out the fire themselves and that could put their lives at risk and put fire fighters’ lives at risk, as the fire would be more developed when they got there.”
Mr Harris said there were other ways to fund the fire service that would not compromise safety.
“A change of legislation is needed to allow the 1.5 per cent fire levy, as part of all householders’ insurance, to be given directly to the fire service.”
Dublin Central TD Maureen O’Sullivan said an abuse of the fire service should incur a fine but not legitimate call-outs.
Dublin City Council confirmed the fire service charge proposal but would not comment further.

CCL- Chimney Cleaning Log

If you are burning wood in a stove or a open fire, it might be a good idea to buy a CCL Chimney Cleaning log in the fire before having the chimney swept as it will allow your certfied sweep to do a better job when sweeping. The CCL Chimney Cleaning log changes the creosote or tar into a more brushable form. The log is available from www.chimneycowlsireland.com. This is how it works!

Why have your chimney capped !

When a disused chimney is left uncapped, it is open to the Irish weather. This can lead to damp stains appearing internally and over time it contributes to steady internal deterioration of the fabric of the stack.

If you leave the chimney completely open, birds will eventually nest blocking the chimneys, this will stop the ventilation in the chimney, leading to it own set of problems. Not to mention the dreadful unhygienic mess that nesting birds can cause and the difficulty of removing the nest. Damage caused by bird intrusions
is not covered by insurance.

By capping you are also reducing the ammount of heat that escapes up disused chimneys.

Chimney Sweep in Westmeath

If you are looking for a chimney sweep in Co. Westmeath. Check out www.meathchimneycleaning.com. They are insured, certified and members of the chimney sweep association of Ireland. They also do Oil Boiler Servicing. Ciaran is a friendly guy who does a good job. We have been referring customer to them for the last few months and all have been delighted with the quality of the work carried out and the level of service.

If you have your home insurace with AA Home Insurances, they are now recommending that you have only a CSAI registered sweep, inspect and sweep your chimney.