Fireplaces and Chimneys

Functions

• To provide the maximum amount of heat for the comfort of the occupants. To provide
adequate protection against the spread of fire.
• To ensure that the products of combustion are safely removed. To prevent downdraught.
• To burn fuel efficiently and safely.

Design features

• Fireplace proportions and design. Combustion and heating methods. Adherence to fire
safety regulations.
• Stability of chimney against wind. To prevent backdraft.
• Weatherproofing of the chimney.
Fireplace proportion and design

Due to the huge weight of a fireplace and chimney system, it must have its own foundation. The
projections of a standard foundation are maintained around the fireplace jambs. For structural
integrity, the jambs should be a minimum of 200 mm thick. To direct the smoke from the fire up the
chimney, a precast chimney gather can be used. The position of the gather is vital in order to create
the required draw for the fire. If the gather is too high, a strong enough draw will not be created,
and the smoke will leak into the room. An alternative to this gather is to use a special chimney lintel
with a sloped face to direct the smoke. A fire hearth contains an open flame, and it is vital that no
combustible material comes into contact with the flames. The fire hearth must project 500 mm out
from the fire and 1 50 mm to either side. Non-combustible insulation is used behind the fireplace, a
minimum distance of 300 mm from the fire.
Wood pellet burners

Wood pellet stoves burn wood pellets made from the woody miscanthus plant (also known as
elephant grass). They are carbon neutral as the carbon created when burning the pellets was
reabsorbed during the growing stage. The pellets are automatically fed info the burner by an auger
feeder. Pellets must always be kept dry and stored in a waterproof storage area.
Wood-burning stoves

Wood-burning stoves have gained in popularity in recent years. They are generally considered to be
more energy efficient than open hearth fireplaces. This is because:

• controlling the amount of air intake makes the fire burn hotter with less smoke and fuel.
• fire bricks in the stove store heat for longer.
• baffles hold the exhaust fumes for longer, so heat does not escape up the chimney.

Wood-burning stoves are more environmentally sustainable than oil and gas fires due to C02 being
absorbed during the growing stage of the timber fuel.

Retrofitted stoves

Wood-burning stoves can be added to existing fire hearths. A solid stove pipe directs the exhaust
from the stove to the chimney. A flexible steel or aluminium liner is run inside the existing flue up to
the chimney. A metal surround can be added to seal off the original fire hearth. An alternative
design for Clay flue Stainless a stove is to link the stove steel line flue pipe with the existing chimney
flue pipe. When connecting the stove to the flue pipe, it is recommended that a vertical rise of 600
mm should be allowed immediately above the appliance before any change of direction. A stainless-
steel liner should continue up the entire length of the clay flue pipe.
Room sealed stoves

For a room sealed stove, ventilation is added through a pipe that draws air Into the fire from outside
the building. This type of stove has the advantage of not creating a draught of cold air in the room.
This type of stove is suitable for use in a house that uses a mechanical heat recovery system.

New stoves

New stoves do not require an inbuilt fireplace or chimney. Instead single or double- lined stove pipes
transfer the exhaust to the outside. A ceiling support box is fitted to the joists to ensure the stove
pipe is secure and that it is not in contact with any combustible material. A plaster slab surround can
be built on upper levels to hide the chimney pipe. An insulation and radiation fire shield provide
support and ensures that the pipe does not encounter any combustible material. A storm collar and
chimney cap ensure that the system is watertight.
Trimmings around chimney
Fire safety

For fire safety:

• all timbering should be separated from the chimney by a concrete block of a minimum width
of 200 mm.
• alternatively, a space of 40 mm must be kept between the timbering and the chimney.
• all metal fixings in contact with the flue and combustible material must be a minimum of 50
mm from the flue.

A party wall is a wall neighbouring building. It is vital that a fire in one building does not spread to
the neighbouring building. A space of 200 mm must be maintained between two neighbouring flues.
No floor joist should continue between the party wall. Instead the joists can be hung on steel
hangers on each side of the party wall.

Carbon monoxide

When fuel is burned, carbon dioxide is produced. Carbon dioxide is made up of two molecules of
oxygen and one molecule of carbon. When fuel is burned and starved of oxygen (due to poor
ventilation), carbon monoxide is produced. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which can be fatal.
It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. To warn against carbon monoxide, a carbon monoxide
detector can be installed. Carbon monoxide build-up can be prevented by:

• ensuring all boilers are regularly serviced.

• ensuring the fire has adequate ventilation. installing wall vents. installing window vents.
• installing deep ash pit vents.
• all homes should have a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as the source.

Wind stability

Chimneys must be designed to withstand the wind. The height/width ratio is the most important
design factor to achieve this. Because wind is different in different parts of the country, a guideline
map is used to determine the sizing of the chimney.
Back draft

When the wind blows the against a roof, it creates zones of pressure and zones of suction. Exiting
smoke from chimneys in the zone of pressure can be forced back down into the chimney. This is
known as backdraft. Chimneys in the zone of suction can be excessively draughty. Chimneys must be
carefully designed to prevent either problem occurring. To prevent backdraft, chimney stacks must
be built with a certain amount of clearance from the roof. For roofs with a pitch greater than 10°:

• if the chimney is less than 600 mm from the ridge, then the chimney must be a minimum of
600 mm above the ridge line.
• if the chimney is greater than 600 mm from the ridge, then the chimney must be a minimum
of 1 m above the highest point of contact with the roof slope.

Chimney stacks for flat roofs must be a minimum of I m above the roof surface.

Weatherproofing of the chimney

To prevent damp entering a house, a DPC tray is used to separate the portion of the chimney above
roof level from the internal portion of the chimney. These trays can be made on site from lead.
Alternatively, they can be bought as prefabricated trays with drainage channels. These trays prevent
rain from leaking into the house by using a front apron and a back gutter. Each of these components
is built into the block work and sealed afterwards. For steep roofs, an additional DPC up- stand is
used to prevent damp from entering the house.
Fireplaces and flues for passive houses

Traditionally the open fire was part of Irish life, however, the traditional fireplaces are very
inefficient (less than 45 % efficiency). The fireplace is basically a space in the wall to accommodate
the fire and the flue is the passage through which the smoke and gases escape. While fireplaces have
been part of Irish life for centuries, the passive houses in the future will not have any chimneys.
Chimneys are very inefficient and the requirements for airtightness in passive houses cannot be
achieved with open chimneys that create drafts and heat loss in buildings. Apart from the flue itself
the chimney breast creates a huge cold bridge in the room by soaking up the heat and conducting it
up through the roof and out into the open air. Also due to the level of insulation in a passive house,
even on the coldest day they would require a heat demand of no more than I -2kW to be
comfortable. Most fireplaces or stoves would create in excess or 8kw which would make the house
stuffy and uncomfortable. To create the atmosphere in a room of a real fire, flame effect fires may
be used or a small stove with a sealed flue and glass front may be suitable.