New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 11, 2013
Contact: J. William Degnan, State Fire Marshal
603-223-4289, Fax: 603-223-4294
33 Hazen Drive · Concord, NH 03305
NH STATE FIRE MARSHAL WARNS CITIZENS TO BE AWARE OF
THE ONE, TWO PUNCH
CONCORD, NH - As citizens are scrambling to dig out from last week’s record setting snow
storm Nemo, NH State Fire Marshal warns citizens to watch out for the effects of Monday’s
compounding storm. Although smaller in size, Monday’s wintery mix will add significant
weight to the snow pack created by last week’s storm. Nemo came through New Hampshire
with record breaking snow fall amounts with a very low water equivalency content. This means
that the snow was dry and fluffy, making it relatively easy to clear away.
Monday’s storm started out with snow, but the changeover to all rain will be absorbed by the
existing snow pack. This absorption will be invisible to most viewers. However the added water
content will add lots of weight to flat roofs.
Nemo came at New Hampshire with some fierce winds which caused significant drifting of the
snow. Often this drifting will cover vent terminations for heating equipment. Vents can be
vertical or horizontal. Make sure you know where yours are. Heating equipment has to breathe
to operate properly. They all need air to work and they all need to expel the by-products of
combustion to the outside. If vents get covered with snow, this equipment will not operate
properly if at all, and they will start filling your home with deadly carbon monoxide which is
colorless and odorless.
Here are some tips to remember:
• Remove snow from low pitch or flat roofs. Using a snow rake from the ground,
remove snow from any roof with a low or flat pitch including any roof that is suspected
of premature failure. Do not climb on roofs or use ladders. Save this task for the
professionals.
o Start early, don’t wait. With each additional inch of rain that falls, the snow on
roofs will increase with weight. Dense snow is harder and more dangerous to
remove.
• Clear snow away from vents. Direct vented equipment normally utilizes a horizontal
venting arrangement. Walk around your house. If your heating equipment, such as a
furnace or water heater, is located in the basement, you will normally find your direct
vent termination just above the ground on the outside wall. It might be plastic pipe or
metal pipe. Clear snow away from these important vents. This includes dryer vents.
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