| To support the weight of the fireplace and chimney, | | | | tile, marble or stone. The best method of drawing |
| provision must be made in the foundation plans. Most | | | | the construction details of a fireplace is to prepare a |
| plans use a solid reinforcement for concrete footer. | | | | sectional drawing. This will show the position of the |
| This footer is usually 12" (305mm) thick and extends | | | | firebox and the size of materials used in the footer, |
| at least 12" (305mm) past the perimeter of the | | | | hearth, face, flue and cap of the chimney. Showing |
| chimney. | | | | also the relationship of the chimney to the floor and |
| Fireplaces are designed in three types: | | | | ceiling lines of the structure. |
| 1. Constructed totally on the site. | | | | Chimney |
| 2. Using a manufactured firebox and flue system. | | | | Extending from the footer through the roof of the |
| 3. Freestanding units. | | | | house is the chimney. The footer must be of |
| Major components of fireplace and chimney structure: | | | | sufficient size to support the entire weight of the |
| 1. firebox | | | | chimney. The chimney extends above the roof line. |
| 2. chimney | | | | Its height above the roof line varies, local building |
| 3. smoke chamber | | | | codes in most areas scale its distance as 2' (610mm). |
| 4. flue support | | | | The chimney is secured to ceiling and floor joists by |
| 5. damper | | | | iron straps embedded in the brick work. The |
| 6. throat | | | | constructor must also indicate the type and size of |
| 7. steel anchor straps | | | | flues to be inserted in the chimney. One flue is |
| 8. cap | | | | necessary for each fireplace or furnace leading into |
| 9. terra cotta flue lining | | | | the chimney. Fireplaces add warmth and atmosphere |
| 10. face | | | | to a room. However, most of the heat produced by |
| 11. smoke shelf | | | | some fireplaces goes up the chimney. To reduce this |
| 12. angle-iron brace | | | | heat loss and redirect some of this heat, warm-air |
| 13. hearth | | | | outlets, balanced by cold-air outlets, can be installed. |
| 14. ash pit | | | | Prefabricated fireplaces |
| 15. footing | | | | Freestanding metal fireplaces constructed of heavy |
| Fireplace | | | | gauge steel are available in a variety of shapes. They |
| The main part of the fireplace is the firebox. The | | | | are relatively light wood burning stoves and therefore |
| firebox reflects heat and draws smoke up the | | | | need no concrete foundation for support. A stove |
| chimney. Included in the firebox are the sides, back, | | | | pipe leading into the chimney provides the exhaust |
| smoke chamber, flue, throat and damper. Most of | | | | flue. Prefabricated fireplaces do not require a |
| the fireboxes are constructed in a factory. The | | | | foundation to support their weight. They are |
| constructor places the firebox in the proper location | | | | complete, ready-to-install fireplaces. Nevertheless, a |
| in the chimney construction and lines it with firebrick. | | | | fire-resistant material such as concrete brick, stone or |
| Materials used in fireplaces and chimneys is usually of | | | | tile must be used beneath and around these |
| brick, stone or concrete. Hearth should be | | | | fireplaces. |
| constructed of fire-resistant material such as brick, | | | | |