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By Herbert Romaro
A fireplace is a structure within conventional homes that
provides heat and serves as an element of architectural style,
as they are usually built into walls. In many homes, older and
newer, the fireplace is a showcase for social gatherings.
Although most fireplaces are similarly constructed and share
common features, the basic fireplace is comprised of a central
foundation of cement, along with a hearth, a firebox and
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 in the designs of
homes for decades, even centuries. Today, however, since the
fireplace has been replaced by central heating, the presence
of
fireplaces, where they still exist, seems to be to carry on
tradition.
Fireplace: Fuel
Traditionally, fireplaces were fueled by coal, wood, or peat.
Today, these burning materials have been replaced by natural
gas and electrical fires due to the fact that these are
cleaner, safer, and frequently less expensive than the older
forms of fuel. Gas fireplaces usually require small doses of
fuel to allow flames to burn for long periods of time. Modern
fireplaces are better and more economical that way.
Types of Fireplaces
Manufactured/Prefab Fireplaces—built with a sheet metal fire
box, a double or triple walled metal pipe running up inside a
wood framed chase, and a chase cover and cap/spark arrestor at
the top. Salt water in close proximity causes this kind of
chimney to rust, but it’s economical to the more expensive
masonry chimney.
Masonry fireplaces—features 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 during the
1970s and ‘80s, but are now obsolete. Inherent defect:
confliction of thermal expansion rates between the steel rebar
and concrete will cause cracking 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 one’s home. The
fire is mesmerizing and relaxing, and mantels are very popular
in boasting family memories. Fireplaces hold a value that goes
beyond their originally intended function and the apparent
flaws in their structure. It goes deeper than that--fireplaces
represent all the securities and comforts of home!
About The Author: Find more Fireplace resources and other
great
topics at www.info-checkpoint.info
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