Guide to Fireplace Components

In this guide to fireplace components, let's look at somepurpose is to extract the fumes and prevent them
key components of a built-in fireplace:from coming out through the mouth.
The mouth - this is where the combustion takes place.The throat - this runs from the lintel over the mouth of
The size and placement will determine the amount ofthe fireplace before narrowing down the dome
heat radiation in the room, and also the extent to whichdamper where it connects with the smoke chamber. It
the flames can be viewed. It's advisable to search forregulates the passage of smoke and fumes and
the ideal configuration for both parameters, bearing inenlarges or reduces the opening of the throat, blocking
mind the room's size.the entrance of cold air, which would speed up
The grate - this is usually made of wrought iron, andcombustion and cause heat loss into the atmosphere.
the logs to be burned are place on it. The spacing ofThe smoke chamber - It's a slanted, bag-shaped
the bar should allow only the ashes, not the firewoodspace following immediately on from the throat of the
to fall through.fireplace. It prevents sudden draughts of cold air from
The ash dump - situated under the grate, it serves topushing smoke into the room.
collect the ashes that result from the combustion. It'sThe smoke pipe - this is the final stage of the smoke
usually hidden below the mouth of the fireplace with aextraction system. It's tube shaped and narrows up
removable drawer, to make it easy for ash removal.from the smoke chamber before opening onto the
The air entrance - an indispensable part of openexterior. Normally its crowned with a hood or cap,
fireplaces as it guarantees optimum combustion.which sticks out from the roof to provide protection
The fire hood - it extends from the upper edge of thefrom the elements like the sun, snow and rain.
mouth of the fireplace to the smoke chamber. Its