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
Not buildings. Happy holiday from DB.
Future Homes Standard: Industry calls for more ambition
As the Government FHS consultation finally closes.
Improving government projects with data and AI
Enabling better outcomes, efficient modern delivery and influential leadership on government projects.
BSRIA Living Laboratory Innovation Challenge
Final days for submission, closing March 29.
Windows, their frames, forms, factors and functions.
The hidden subtleties of U-Value calculations
Different contexts and what to include as variables.
A brief run down with related articles.
Electrical sector calls for safer public EV charge points
Serious concerns about electrical safety in the public domain.
Building Blocks manifesto presented to parliament
Architects Declare call in for support of five critical policies.
The four elements of project management with APM
Analysis, expectations, collaborative communication and partnerships.
City of London launches Heritage Building Retrofit Toolkit
Empowering owners to initiate necessary adaptations.
Guidance on RAAC in listed buildings
Published by Purcell, endorsed by IHBC, SPAB and C20.
Learning from the past.
Reluctance to hire people with criminal convictions revealed
Employing People with Criminal Convictions Report.
Tackling unconscious bias; Women's History Month
Personal reflections, as the last week of March approaches.