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

• Approved Document J.
• Chimney breast.
• Chimney definition.
• Chimney piece.
• Clean air act.
• Combustion appliance.
• Draught diverter v draught stabiliser.
• Fireplace recess.
• Fluepipe.
• Flue throat.
• Hearth.
• Mantel.
• Stove.
• What are electric fires?