Although many fireplaces are similarly constructed and share common attributes, the basic fireplace is consists 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 decades, even centuries. Today however, since the fireplace has been replaced by central heating, the presence of fireplaces, where they still exist, appears to be to continuing tradition.
Fireplace Fuel.
Traditionally, 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 Today, these burning products have been replaced by natural gas and electrical power due to the fact that these are cleaner, safer, and often less expensive than the older kinds of fuel. Gas fireplaces normally need small amounts of fuel to allow flames to burn for long periods of time. Modern fireplaces are much better and more affordable 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, however, its more affordable than the more costly masonry chimney.
Masonry fireplaces feature tiles that implement the flue to avoid corrosion in the chimney flue lining. These are not earthquake-resistant!
Reinforced Concrete Chimneys.
They had their heyday throughout the 1970s and 80s, however, are now out-of-date. Inherent flaws include confliction of thermal expansion rates between the steel rebar and concrete, which will cause cracking in the flue when heated up. The chimney is loaded with vertical fractures which end up being more serious as the internal rebar rusts.
Fireplaces are appealing, as they add style to ones house Findlay Ohio HVAC . The fire is mesmerizing and calming, and mantels are very popular in boasting family photos. Fireplaces hold a value that go beyond their originally intended function, and the evident flaws in their structure. It goes deeper than that, as fireplaces represent all the securities and comforts of the house.