Chapter Two

BALCONIES
AND
BAY WINDOWS
BALCONIES and BAY WINDOWS

 The terms balcony is usually confused with other building terms that are
similar but different. Thus, it is first useful to define these terms.
• Balconies: Refers to an "open-air" platform projecting from the
interior or exterior wall of a building and enclosed by a rail.
• Bay window : A bay window is an interior space that projects (bulges
out) to the outside and is covered by a window or some kind of wall
and a roof.
• Veranda: is a porch (covered exterior space) that extends along an
outside wall of a building.
Cont.

• Loggia: Refers to a covered walkway that is open on one side usually

with arches running along the side of a building.
• Terrace: is a term used in conjunction with many things, however here
for our purpose it gives two meanings. A flat exterior living space area
paved or partially green (grassy) outside a building but on the same level as
the inside.
• BALCONY Concrete
• Balconies: Refers to an "open-air" platform projecting from the interior
or exterior wall of a building and enclosed by a rail.
• BALCONY :-TIMBER MADE
• BALCONY
• FLAT BALCONY
• POP OUT BALCONY
• PURPOSE: Balconies are constructed on a building when an external open-
air space connected to upper rooms is desired.
• CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE: Balconies are structural floors and can
be constructed out of materials that are also suitable to Floor
Construction. Structurally Balconies may be constructed in a number of ways.
 The structural floor construction is continued through and outside the outer
wall.
 The structural balcony is secured to the floor joists.
 The balcony construction is built quite independent of the floor joists
 The balcony construction is secured to the wall by brackets and tie Road.
Bracing.
 The balcony structure is secured to the wall by a support from the vertical wall
or the floor below.
• CONSTRUCTION DETAIL
LOGGIA

• Loggia: Refers to a covered walkway that is open on one side usually with
arches running along the side of a building.
VERANDAH

• Verandah: is a porch (covered exterior space) that extends along an

outside wall of a building.
TERRACE

• Terrace: is a term used in conjunction with many things, however here for
our purpose it gives two meanings. A flat exterior living space area paved
or partially green (grassy) outside a building but on the same level as the
inside
BAY WINDOWS

• Bay window : A bay window is an interior space that projects (bulges out)
to the outside and is covered by a window or some kind of wall and a roof
End of chapter II
Thank you
Chapter III
Flues and Fire places
Introduction

• Fireplace-low space in a wall for fire: a recess, usually with a

mantelpiece above it, built into the wall of a room as a place to
light an open fire.
• Chimney-structure for venting gas or smoke: a hollow vertical
structure, usually made of brick or steel, that allows gas, smoke, or
steam from a fire or furnace to escape into the atmosphere.
• Flue-smoke or heat outlet: a shaft, tube, or pipe used as an outlet
to carry smoke, gas, or heat, e.g. from a fireplace or furnace.
• Creosote -chimney tar: a dark brown to black flammable tar
deposited inside a chimney flue when wood, especially pine or
other resinous wood, is burned.
 Chimney Fires:

• Chimney fires can burn explosively - noisy and dramatic enough to be

detected by neighbors or passersby.
• Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney.
Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds
them of a freight train or a low flying air plane.

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Different Types of Chimneys

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 Lined Flue
• Inside of chimney construction contains flue “pipe” or “lining” that
minimizes openings, joints, or crevices along vertical path of heat,
smoke, embers
 Chimney Fire Hazards:

 Failure of the chimney to maintain its integrity, and the spread of fire
within adjoining partitions of the structure. Make use of the Thermal
Imaging Camera (TIC) to check for any possible extension.
 Additional hazards include the possible buildup of toxic gases such as
carbon monoxide (Co) within the structure due to restricted flues.
Always Meter!!

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 Chimney Cleanouts
• Cleanouts are located at the lower portion of the chimney.
• Maybe located outside.
• Cleanouts can cause a fire hazard if not closed and next to combustible
materials.

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Fireplace Design and Construction

 This article gives the basic design and construction principles for a typical
open fireplace.
 The construction of a trouble-free fireplace requires careful compliance
with a number of proven principles.
 The designer must ensure that these requirements are always incorporated
in a fireplace and are nor omitted or modified to achieve some special
effect.
 The dimensions quoted here are based on the use of standard-sized bricks
with nominal dimensions of 230 x 110 x 76 mm
 Fire boxes

FIRE BOXES-The bricks selected for the firebox should be hard and well
burned.
The mortar used in the firebox should have an adequate lime content
to ensure flexibility and a mix consisting of one part cement, two
parts hydrated lime and nine parts sand is recommended.
Joints should be either flush or preferably ironed. Raked joint
expose too mush of the brick to fire damage.
An improvement on the use of normal bricks in the firebox is the use
of fireclay refractory firebricks or fire tiles laid in a proprietary
brand refractory mortar.
Head

Head :This is the lintel across the fireplace opening, which is usually
supported on a flat steel bar or steel angle.
The relationship between head opening and throat is vital.
 Many fireplaces smoke because the head is too high above the hearth,
allowing smoke to escape from the firebox into the room instead of
continuing its upward flow into the smoke chamber and flue.
 For a domestic fireplace with an opening up to 1.5 meters wide, it is
recommended that the head should be no more than eight courses (685
mm) above the hearth
Throat

Throat: This is the narrow opening across the top of the firebox through
which smoke, flames and gases enter the smoke chamber.
 As a general rule the area of the throat should be approximately 10 per
cent of the area of the fireplace opening.
 An improperly-designed throat will always give trouble. It is essential
that the throat width be between 115 and 140 mm.
 It is equally important that the top of the rear firewall should be at least
170 mm above the fireplace opening.
 In the case of an arched opening this dimension applies to the crown of
the arch
 Smoke shelf

Smoke shelf Its function is to prevent downdrafts entering the firebox.

It is located at the base of the smoke chamber across the full
width of the fire back.
It should be dished as illustrated to assist in diverting
downdrafts back up the flue.
The shelf should be cleaned of debris each season.
Smoke Chamber

Smoke Chamber
• This is located symmetrically above the throat,
• its function being to concentrate smoke and gases from the fire below to
provide a clear passage into the flue.
• If it is not symmetrical the fire will burn unevenly due to an uneven draft
pulling on the fire.
• In the construction of the throat and the smoke chamber, corbel courses
are used to obtain the necessary shape and gathering.
• It is important that corbel bricks be cut carefully to give as smooth a
surface as possible.
 Chimney Shelf:

 Burning Creosote will breakaway from chimney and land on the chimney
shelf and continue to burn.
 The Up-Draft will carry small particles up chimney and re-ignite any un-
burnt creosote.

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 Flue

Flue .The function of the flue is to exhaust the smoke and gases from
the fire to the outside as quickly as possible.
 A rectangular flue having the same shape throughout its length does
this most efficiently.
 For fireplaces up to 1.5 meters wide a flue measuring approximately
700 x 155 mm is recommended.
 An advantage of the rectangular flue is that it is less likely to admit
rain than a square flue. Rain rarely falls vertically.
 It is usually accompanied by some wind and this results in any rain
penetrating the flue being driven to the sides above the chimney tray
from which it is drained away via weep holes.
 Roof Flashing

Roof Flashing. At the penetration of the chimney with the roof, adequate
flashings must be provided.
 Timber framing for the upward side of the chimney flashing is needed
for support and a suitable material to be used is 20 kg/m² lead
(approximately 1.8 mm thick).
 Elsewhere around the chimney the chimney stepped flashings are
provided according to standard practice.
Chimney tar

Chimney tar. This acts as an internal drain in the flue to divert rainwater.
It may be constructed from lead or copper and should have all joints
sweated.
 The tray should extend about 20 mm inside the flue with 25 mm turn-
up all round.
 It is extended right through all four walls of the chimney, forming a
damp-proof course and water is drained via several weep holes.
 Chimney Top

Chimney Top After poor throat design, this element ranks next in causing smoking
fires.
All to often the flue top is restricted or there are obstructions which impede the
quick dispersal of smoke.
With correct fireplace design there should be no need for any flue cover or
diverters.
It is important that the top of the chimney should be clear of any downdrafts or
eddies caused by adjacent obstacles such as the adjoining roof.
Usually if the top of the chimney is taken four courses (343 mm) above the
nearest ridge this will ensure a trouble-free emission of smoke from the flue.
The height of the chimney top is governed by building regulations.
The top of the chimney should be finished with an over sailing course with a
weathered topping of cement mortar to divert storm water away from the flue
opening.
 Damper

• Damper. The primary purpose of a damper (not shown) is to regulate the

draft to allow the fire to burn more efficiently.
When the fire is not in use a closed damper also reduces loss from
other heating sources and in summer prevents the entry of flies.
Some state regulations require a damper to be fitted.
A number of proprietary designs are available, some of which fit
in the throat and are operated by a lever. Others are placed in or at
the top of the flue and operated by a chain
Fire place Curing a smoking fireplace can be very difficult. There are many
variables, too many for this small publication, however
The most common causes of smoking fireplaces are:
♦ Fireplace opening too high.
♦ Incorrect head or throat design.
♦ Flue too small.
♦ Flue downdrafts.
♦ Faulty chimney to
Important Points to Consider…

 Successful control of chimney fires requires time and patience

 Continual monitoring of all adjacent combustible areas required during
operations
 Older, unlined flues often contain structural framing members tying
chimney to house
 EARLY laddering of roof
 Use of chimney chains to clear flaming creosote (if available on scene)
 Aggressive investigation of adjacent void spaces
 Identification of lined vs. unlined flue
Summary

 Firefighters should be familiar with the various chimney types

 Understand particular hazards of each type of flue

 Recognize signs of active fire situations in flue and execute proper control
methods
 Make every attempt to control fire while minimizing damage to
chimney/flue structure
 Ensure safe operations when working in poor lighting and on wet/icy or
steep roof pitches