Tempo:
Provide a smoke shelf to reduce backdrafts by projecting the throat toward the face of the fireplace. The throat should be as wide and as shallow as possible, but its area cannot be less than the area of the flue. The sides of the fireplace above the throat are drawn together to abut the flue over the centre of the width of the fireplace; The slope of the sides of the smoke chamber must not be more than 45° from the vertical: and Provide an adjustable damper to regulate the draft. It should be fully closable to minimize heat loss up the chimney when the fireplace is not in use.
The lining of the fire chamber must be firebrick at least 50 mm (2 in.) thick and high temperature cement mortar or steel. If a firebrick liner is used, the back and sides of the fireplace must be at least 190 mm (8 in.) thick including the thickness of the masonry liner. For a steel fireplace liner with an air circulating chamber surrounding the fire chamber, the back and sides may be solid masonry units at least 90 mm (31⁄2 in.) thick or hollow units at least 190 mm (8 in.). The hearth may be even with or above the floor and consists of two parts: the front or finish hearth and the back hearth under the fire. The back hearth is built of firebrick as it must withstand more heat. The front hearth guards against flying sparks and is made of reinforced concrete at least 100 mm (4 in.) thick that is often finished with ceramic tile. The front hearth must extend at least 400 mm (16 in.) in front of the fireplace opening and at least 200 mm (8 in.) on each side.
Provide a clearance of at least 100 mm (4 in.) between a fireplace and interior wood framing and at least 50 mm (2 in.) for wood framing at an exterior wall.
Factory Built Fireplace Inserts Factory-made fireplace inserts are available that reduce the amount of room air used by the fireplace and achieve better heating performance. To be most effective, the unit should have draft-tight doors and a separate combustion air supply from the outside. Airtight wood stoves are also more efficient than open fireplaces. A fireplace insert can be added to a masonry fireplace to improve safety and efficiency or can be installed with a framed surround, if the required clearances are present. Inserts often have blowers that significantly improve heating efficiency and circulation. A steel flue liner is installed inside an existing flue to remove combustion gases (Figure 146). Special installation procedures must be followed. Review installation and fire safety requirements with the local building department. Many if not most jurisdictions require that solid fuel burning fireplaces be installed by qualified contractors.
Natural Gas Fireplaces Natural gas fireplaces have become a more popular fireplace option in areas served by natural gas. Aside from being more affordable, relatively efficient and lightweight, they can be directly vented through the wall behind the unit (or up a chimney), can be sealed combustion (meaning the combustion process never comes in contact with house air), and can effectively heat the room where they have been installed without cooling off the rest of the house. A gas-burning, factory-built fireplace (natural gas or propane) may be installed in an existing masonry fireplace or in new
The lining of the fire chamber must be firebrick at least 50 mm (2 in.) thick and high temperature cement mortar or steel. If a firebrick liner is used, the back and sides of the fireplace must be at least 190 mm (8 in.) thick including the thickness of the masonry liner. For a steel fireplace liner with an air circulating chamber surrounding the fire chamber, the back and sides may be solid masonry units at least 90 mm (31⁄2 in.) thick or hollow units at least 190 mm (8 in.). The hearth may be even with or above the floor and consists of two parts: the front or finish hearth and the back hearth under the fire. The back hearth is built of firebrick as it must withstand more heat. The front hearth guards against flying sparks and is made of reinforced concrete at least 100 mm (4 in.) thick that is often finished with ceramic tile. The front hearth must extend at least 400 mm (16 in.) in front of the fireplace opening and at least 200 mm (8 in.) on each side.
Provide a clearance of at least 100 mm (4 in.) between a fireplace and interior wood framing and at least 50 mm (2 in.) for wood framing at an exterior wall.
Factory Built Fireplace Inserts Factory-made fireplace inserts are available that reduce the amount of room air used by the fireplace and achieve better heating performance. To be most effective, the unit should have draft-tight doors and a separate combustion air supply from the outside. Airtight wood stoves are also more efficient than open fireplaces. A fireplace insert can be added to a masonry fireplace to improve safety and efficiency or can be installed with a framed surround, if the required clearances are present. Inserts often have blowers that significantly improve heating efficiency and circulation. A steel flue liner is installed inside an existing flue to remove combustion gases (Figure 146). Special installation procedures must be followed. Review installation and fire safety requirements with the local building department. Many if not most jurisdictions require that solid fuel burning fireplaces be installed by qualified contractors.
Natural Gas Fireplaces Natural gas fireplaces have become a more popular fireplace option in areas served by natural gas. Aside from being more affordable, relatively efficient and lightweight, they can be directly vented through the wall behind the unit (or up a chimney), can be sealed combustion (meaning the combustion process never comes in contact with house air), and can effectively heat the room where they have been installed without cooling off the rest of the house. A gas-burning, factory-built fireplace (natural gas or propane) may be installed in an existing masonry fireplace or in new
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