Of these 15,000 fires, electric dryers were shown to be more than 2.5 times more likely than gas dryers to cause fires. This is likely because the higher heat discharge from electric dryers exacerbates the problems of lint buildup. Fires originate most frequently from two places: dryer venting and the lint trap. Why these two places? Because clothes dryers are often improperly vented, and because those vents may not be properly cleaned on a regular basis. Although dry vent safety standards have been developed over the years, there is still considerable confusion about the types of dryer vent systems and how they should be maintained. Clothes dryer fires are by no means a thing of the past. Here are some basic dryer safety standards and some ways you can increase the safety of your dryer and vent system.
Dryer and Venting Safety Standards
Two voluntary sets of standards exist for dryer venting. For electric dryers, it is Underwriters Laboratories UL 2158. For gas dryers, the voluntary standard is ANSI Z21.5.1 (CGA 7.1). With these standards, rigid and semi-rigid metal vent pipes are the accepted ways to vent the dryer. Although metal pipe was always the preferred method of venting, almost everyone remembers the flexible white plastic dryer vent hose kit sold in hardware stores. As it turns out, these combustible white plastic hose kits are deadly when improperly used as dryer venting, and are the reason for many dryer vent fires. However, until recently they were still commonly used as dryer venting, and many homes still vent their dryers using this dangerous product. It was not until December 2006 that Underwriters Laboratories established UL 2158A “Clothes Dryer Transition Duct,” which is an approved standard for flexible high-temperature exhaust duct rated to 430 degrees F., which can be used on both electric and gas dryers. You need to exercise care when choosing this type of flexible metal dryer vent. When you go to the hardware store, you may see flexible duct that is labeled with a UL listing of UL 181B “Closure Systems for Use with Flexible Air Ducts and Air Connectors.” However, this standard is for flexible plastic and metal heating and cooling ductwork, and vent fans such as those used in bathrooms. These products are not approved for use as dryer vents. Only flexible ductwork meeting UL 2158A can be used as dryer venting. An even better solution than any type of flexible metal ductwork is rigid metal ductwork since it has no inner corrugations that can trap lint.
Periodically Clean the Dryer Vent and Exhaust Duct
The Consumer Product Safety Commission developed CPSC Document #5022, which outlines actions you can take to reduce the risk of dryer fires from overheated clothes dryers.
Clean the Lint Screen After Each Use
What are the warning signs that dangerous lint buildup is occurring in your dryer and venting system? Symptoms may include:
Clothes take longer and longer to dry.Clothes don’t fully dry.Clothes are hotter than normal at the end of the drying cycle.The outside of the dryer gets very hot.The outside exhaust vent flapper does not open very much, indicating low exhaust velocity.Laundry room becomes more humid than it is usually.A burnt smell is evident in the laundry room.
To clean the lint trap, first, remove the lint trap filter from the dryer and clean it. This must be done before or after each use of the dryer. Also, vacuum the lint trap housing cavity monthly.
Clean Behind and Under the Dryer
You should make a point to clean behind the dryer where lint can build up. Once every couple of years, have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter. You can see here how much lint can build up behind a dryer, where it can get very hot.
Correct Improper Dryer Ducting
Make sure to replace any plastic or metal foil, accordion-type ducting material, as plastic is not approved for dryer use and some metal foil ducts may not be approved, either. You must replace these ducts with rigid duct or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct meeting the UL 2158A standard. You’ll find that most dryer manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. Flexible plastic ducts are flammable, and they, along with foil-type accordion ducts, more easily trap lint and are more susceptible to kinks and crushing, which greatly reduces or obstructs the dryer air discharge.
Be Careful Not to Dry Clothes Soiled With VOCs
You need to take special care when laundering clothes containing VOCs (volatile organic compound), such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. Wash heavily soiled clothing more than once to minimize the volatile chemicals still on the clothes, and, if possible, hang the clothes out to air dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.
