Ancient fire pits were sometimes constructed in the floor, in caves, or at the center of a hut or home. Evidence of prehistoric, man-made flames is present on all five inhabited continents. The disadvantage of early indoor fire pits was that they generated hazardous or annoying smoke inside the house.Fire pits developed into elevated hearths in buildings, but venting smoke relied on open windows or openings in roofs. The medieval great hall typically needed a centrally located hearth, where a open flame burnt with the smoke rising to the vent in the roof. Louvers were developed during the Middle Ages to allow the roof vents to be coated so snow and rain wouldn't enter.
Also during the Middle Ages, smoke canopies were devised to prevent smoke from dispersing an area and vent it out via a ceiling or wall. These could be put against stone walls, instead of taking up the center of the space, and this allowed smaller rooms to be heated.Chimneys were invented in northern Europe from the 11th or 12th centuries and largely fixed the problem of fumes, more faithfully venting smoke out. They made it possible to give the fireplace a draft, and also made it feasible to put fireplaces in numerous rooms in buildings conveniently. They didn't come into general use instantly, however, as they were more expensive to develop and maintain.In 1678 Prince Rupert, nephew of Charles I, increased the grate of the fireplace, improving the airflow and venting system. The 18th century saw two major developments in the history of fireplaces. Benjamin Franklin developed a convection chamber for the fireplace that greatly improved the efficiency of fireplaces and wood stoves. He also improved the airflow by pulling air from a basement and venting a lengthier area at the very top. In the later 18th century, Count Rumford designed a fireplace with a tall, shallow firebox which was better at drawing the smoke up and out of the building. The shallow design also improved greatly the quantity of radiant warmth projected to the space. Rumford's layout is the basis for modern fireplaces.
Rather it depended on simple designs with small unnecessary ornamentation. From the 1890s the Aesthetic movement gave way to the Arts and Crafts movement, in which the emphasis was placed on providing quality stone. Stone fireplaces at this time were a sign of prosperity, which to a degree remains the notion today.A fireplace is a structure made of brick, stone or metal designed to include a fire. Fireplaces are utilized for the relaxing ambiance that they create and also for heating a space. Modern fireplaces change in heat efficacy, based on the design.Historically they were used for heating a home, cooking, and heating water for laundry and domestic uses. A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows exhaust to escape.
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On the exterior there is frequently a corbeled brick crown, in which the projecting courses of brick act as a drip route to keep rainwater from running down the exterior walls. A cap, hood, or shroud serves to keep rainwater from the exterior of the chimney; rain in the chimney is a far larger difficulty in chimneys lined with impervious flue tiles or metallic liners than with the standard masonry chimney, which soaks up all but the most violent rain. Some chimneys have a spark arrestor integrated into the crown or cap.
Organizations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington Department of Ecology warn that, according to various studies, fireplaces could pose a significant health threat. The EPA writes"Smoke may smell good, but it is not good for you.Types of fireplacesArtificial fireplaces are made with sheet metal or glass fire boxes.Electric fireplaces could be built-in replacements for either wood or gas or retrofit with log inserts or electric fireboxes.A few kinds are, wall mounted electric fireplaces, electric fireplace stoves, electrical mantel fireplaces and fixed or free standing electric fireplaces.
Masonry and prefabricated fireplaces can be fueled by wood, natural gas, biomass and propane fuel sources. In the USA, several states and local businesses have laws restricting these types of fireplaces. Additionally, there are air quality control problems because of the amount of moisture they discharge in the room atmosphere, and oxygen sensor and carbon monoxide sensors are security essentials. Direct vent fireplaces have been fueled by liquid propane or natural gas. They are totally sealed from the place that's heated, and port all exhaust gasses into the outside of the structure.
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Over time, the intent behind fireplaces has changed from one of necessity to one of visual interest. Early ones were fire pits compared to contemporary fireplaces. They have been used for warmth on chilly days and nights, in addition to for cooking. They also served as a gathering place within the home. These fire pits were usually centered within a room, allowing more people to collect around it.
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Many flaws were found in ancient fireplace designs. The most renowned fireplace performers of this period were the Adam Brothers. They perfected a style of fireplace design that was used for generations. It had been smaller, more brightly lit, with a emphasis on the quality of the substances used in their construction, instead of their size.
From the 1800s most new fireplaces were composed of 2 parts, the surround as well as the add. The surround consisted of the mantlepiece and sides supports, usually in wood, granite or marble. The insert was fire burnt, and was built of cast iron often backed with ornamental tiles. In addition to providing heat, the fireplaces of the Victorian age were believed to add a cozy ambiance into houses.Comfort Smart Verve 24in Curved Electric Fireplace Insert CS501625 Video
Some fireplace components include a blower that transports more of the fireplace's heat to the air via convection, resulting in a more evenly heated area and a decrease heating load. Fireplace efficiency is also increased by means of a fireback, a sheet of metal that sits behind the fire and reflects heat back into the room. Firebacks are traditionally made from cast iron, but are also made from stainless steel. Efficiency is a complex concept though with open hearth fireplaces. Most efficiency tests consider just the impact of heating of the atmosphere. An open fireplace is not, and never was, designed to heat the air. A fireplace with a fireback is a toaster, and has done so since the 15th century. The best method to estimate the output of a fireplace is if you detect you are turning the thermostat down or up.
Most elderly fireplaces have a comparatively low efficiency rating. Standard, contemporary, weatherproof masonry fireplaces still possess an efficiency rating of at least 80% (legal minimum necessity such as in Salzburg/Austria). To improve efficiency, fireplaces may also be modified by inserting special heavy fireboxes developed to burn cleaner and may reach efficiencies as high as 80% in heating the air. These altered fireplaces are usually equipped with a massive fire window, enabling an efficient heating system in two stages. During the first phase the first heat is offered through a large glass window while the flame is burning. During this time the construction, constructed of refractory bricks, absorbs the warmth. This heat is then equally radiated for many hours during the next stage. Masonry fireplaces without a glass fire window only provide heat radiated from its surface. Depending on temperatures 1 to two daily firings are sufficient to ensure a constant room temperature.electric fireplace insert
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