Although many fireplaces are similarly built and share common features, the standard fireplace is comprised of a central foundation of cement, in addition to a hearth, a firebox and a unique facing, ash dump and cleanout doors, a lintel and lintel bar, a breast, a damper, a smoke chamber, a throat, a flue, a chimney chase, a crown, a cap or shroud, and a spark arrestor. The structure of the fireplace was incorporated into the designs of houses for years, even centuries. Today however, considering that the fireplace has actually been replaced by central heating, the presence of fireplaces, where they still exist, seems to be to carrying on tradition.
Fireplace Fuel.
Typically, fireplaces were fueled by coal, wood, or peat. Today, these burning products have been replaced by natural gas and electrical power due to the fact that these are cleaner, safer, and frequently less expensive than the older kinds of fuel. Gas fireplaces typically require small doses of fuel to enable flames to burn for extended periods of time. Modern fireplaces are much better and more cost-effective that way.
Types of Fireplaces.
Manufactured/Prefab Fireplaces are constructed with a sheet metal fire box, a double or triple walled metal pipe running up inside a wood framed chase, a chase cover, and a cap/spark arrestor at the top. Seawater in close proximity causes this kind of chimney to rust, but, its more affordable than the more costly masonry chimney.
Masonry fireplaces feature tiles that implement the flue to prevent corrosion in the chimney flue lining. These are not earthquake-resistant!
Reinforced Concrete Chimneys.
They had their heyday throughout the 1970s and 80s, but, are now out-of-date. Inherent problems include confliction of thermal expansion rates between the steel rebar and concrete, which will cause fracturing in the flue when heated. The chimney is loaded with vertical cracks which become more severe as the internal rebar rusts.
Fireplaces are appealing, as they add style to ones home Findlay HVAC Contractor . The fire is mesmerizing and relaxing, and mantels are very popular in boasting family photos. Fireplaces hold a value that go beyond their originally intended purpose, and the apparent flaws in their structure. It goes deeper than that, as fireplaces represent all the securities and comforts of the home.
