Although the majority of fireplaces are similarly built and share common attributes, the standard fireplace is includes a central foundation of cement, along with a hearth, a firebox and a 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 http://www.planoair.com/ac-repair-heating-repair-mckinney-tx.html . The structure of the fireplace was included into the designs of houses for years, even centuries. Today however, considering that the fireplace has been replaced by central heating, the presence of fireplaces, where they still exist, appears to be to continuing tradition.
Fireplace Fuel.
Typically, fireplaces were fueled by coal, wood, or peat. Today, these burning products have actually been replaced by natural gas and electrical power due to the fact that these are cleaner, safer, and often less expensive than the older kinds of fuel. Gas fireplaces usually require small amounts 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 are built with a sheet metal fire box, a double or triple walled metal pipe running up inside a wood framed chase, a chase cover, and a cap/spark arrestor at the top. Seawater in close proximity causes this kind of chimney to rust, however, its more economical than the more expensive masonry chimney.
Masonry fireplaces feature tiles that implement the flue to prevent deterioration in the chimney flue lining. These are not earthquake-resistant!
Reinforced Concrete Chimneys.
They had their heyday throughout the 1970s and 80s, however, are now obsolete. Inherent problems include confliction of thermal expansion rates between the steel rebar and concrete, which will cause cracking in the flue when heated up. The chimney is loaded with vertical cracks which end up being more severe as the internal rebar rusts.
Fireplaces are appealing, as they add style to ones home. The fire is mesmerizing and relaxing, and mantels are very popular in boasting family photos. Fireplaces hold a value that go beyond their originally intended function, and the obvious flaws in their structure. It goes deeper than that, as fireplaces represent all the securities and conveniences of the home.