Fireplace
A fireplace is usually a very simple combustion chamber, with or without front door, in which fuels are oxidised to obtain thermal energy, which is transferred into a space mainly by radiation. Ref EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook 2016
Inform Guide: Fireplaces, published by Historic Environment Scotland on 1 April 2008 and last updated on 31 August 2020 suggests that the elements of a fireplace area:
- The chimneybreast (which contains the flue). A chimney is a brick, metal or concrete stack used to carry the exhaust gases from a fireplace into the free atmosphere and to generate draught.
- The chimney piece or fire surround.
- The recess in the wall (which contains the inset and grate). A fireplace recess is a structural opening (sometimes called a builder’s opening) formed in a wall or in a chimney breast, from which a chimney leads and which has a hearth at its base. Simple structural openings are suitable for closed appliances such as stoves, cookers or boilers, but gathers are necessary for accommodating open fires.
- The hearth.
- Other elements which may be incorporated include an ash tray (or bucket), a grate, a fire back, a canopy, fenders and accessories.
It suggests that fireplace accessories might include:
- Poker, tongs and rakes.
- Brush and shovel.
- Fire guards: These are designed to prevent people, especially children, falling into a fire but do not always stop sparks .
- Spark guards: These differ from fireguards in that they are designed to prevent sparks flying from the fireplace and causing a fire. They should have a mesh with gaps no less than 0.071 mm2 and should always be used where an open fire is left unattended.
- Bellows.
- Coal scuttle.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.