Aurora Fireplaces
Reproduction Antique Fireplaces
Fireplaces - General information
Air Supply
All fires - no matter what the fuel - require an adequate air supply to provide oxygen for combustion.
Additional air and ventilation must be provided for fuel burning appliances within the home, for two reasons: -
- To stop the room in which the fire or stove is located becoming a vacuum, because the fire is drawing too much air from the room.
- To prevent the production of carbon monoxide rather than carbon dioxide, due to lack of oxygen.
Flues, Vents and Grilles provide additional air and ventilation.
A Flue or Vent is a duct, pipe or chimney that extracts smoke and fumes from the fireplace or stove to the outdoors. The flue also creates a flow of air through the burning firebed, providing oxygen for the efficient combustion of the fuel.
Additional room ventilation can be provided through grilles set into the floor, walls or ceiling of a room and can either vent directly from outside or through another room or space and then outside.
The criteria for placing grills are as follows:
- To minimise cold draughts affecting Occupants of the room.
- To be in a visually discreet position which is not unsightly.
- Not to cause a cold curtain or air rising directly in front of the fire opening, which could dramatically reduce the perceived radiant heat output of the fire.
- Not to cause dust and ash to be blown about in the fireplace.
Always refer to the Manufacturer’s Guidelines and speak with your Fireplace Fitter.
Smoke Problems
The emission of smoke and fumes into a room are generally caused by the following: -
- The Fireplace opening is too large for the size of flue that’s been installed i.e. the volume and speed of the smoke passing up the flue is insufficient to clear the large volume of fumes building up in the oversize fireplace below.
- There’s insufficient ventilation in the room, which means that there’s insufficient air available to replace that being drawn up the flue and needed to clear the smoke and fumes from the fire.
- A badly placed chimney terminal (i.e. one that’s not on or near the roof ridge) can lead to downdraughts and pressure zones.
- A partially blocked flue i.e. a piece of mortar, brick or stone has collapsed in the chimney and is blocking the flue. Soot and tar build up can also create blockages. As can sticks dropped by birds into the chimney terminal.
Fireplace Safety, Maintenance & Chimney Sweeping
All fuel-burning appliances are safe provided they are installed and operated correctly and serviced regularly.
Solid Fuel Fires:
Signs that there is a problem with your solid fuel fire include: -
- It is sluggish and won’t draw.
- The fire goes out, leaving unburned fuel in the firebox.
- There’s a smell of fumes in the room.
These symptoms may be due to a blocked flue, an incorrectly placed chimney terminal leading to down draught or inadequate ventilation. The fire must not be used in this condition. Open doors and windows and put the fire out.
Stoves:
Wood furniture and curtains should be at least one metre away from a stove. These materials can become too dry and get to a point of spontaneous combustion if left too close to a hot stove for a prolonged period of time.
Gas Fires:
Signs that there is a problem with your gas fire include: -
- A smell of fumes in the room.
- Discoloration or staining on or above the fire (the brass trims may turn pink in colour).
- Condensation on the metal surfaces at the top of the fire when first lit.
These signs indicate that the flue is not venting properly and must be investigated immediately.
Coals for gas fires should be laid in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If pieces of fuel are packed too tightly, it can lead to incomplete combustion.
Loose debris and dust should be cleaned off with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner.
Gas fires should be serviced annually.
Carbon Monoxide:
If insufficient oxygen (ventilation) is available to the fire, carbon monoxide can be produced.
This is an odourless, colourless, tasteless and highly poisonous gas. Breathing it will quickly result in drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, vomiting and death.
Anyone complaining of these symptoms in a room with a fire alight should consider this as a possible cause and immediately open doors and windows and let the fire out. The fire should not be lit again until the problem has been investigated.
Fireguards:
A suitable fireguard should be used at all times if there are children, elderly or infirm people present. An open fire should never be left unattended unless an effective spark guard is in position.
Smoke Alarm:
A battery operated smoke alarm should be installed.
Chimney Sweeping:
Chimneys must be swept with rods and brushes. It is not possible to clean a chimney with a vacuum cleaner on its own. Frequency of cleaning should be as follows: -
- Smokeless fuel open fire / roomheater: Annually
- Bituminous house coal open fire: Twice a year
- Wood burning stove: Three monthly during use
- Gas appliances: Immediately prior to installing the fire;
and Annually if the chimney is designed to be swept - Gas fire – open fuel effect: Annually (or as recommended by manufacturer)
- Oil fired appliance: Annually
Copyright © 2007 The Aurora Fire Company Limited | Unit 3, Cappakeel, Emo, Portlaoise, Co Laois
Tel: 057 862 6576 Fax: 057 863 3971 Email: info@aurorafires.ie
