Wood Burning Fireplace

Question 1

List three types of wood-burning fireplaces.

Answer 1

1. Masonry fireplaces
2. Masonry fireplaces with steel fireboxes
3. Factory-built fireplaces

Question 2

Fireplaces can be built in or free standing.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Fireplaces are designed as a primary heating source in most cases.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

List eight basic components of a masonry fireplace.

Answer 4

1. Footing and foundation
2. Front hearth and back hearth
3. Firebox
4. Damper
5. Throat, smoke shelf and smoke chamber
6. Mantel
7. Chimney
8. Ashpit

Question 5

Factory-built fireplaces do not have a smoke shelf.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

List four common fireplace accessories.

Answer 6

1. Outdoor combustion air
2. Glass doors
3. Heat circulators
4. Gas igniters

Question 7

How far should combustibles be from cleanout doors?

Answer 7

6 inches

Question 8

How far should combustibles be from fireplace openings?

Answer 8

6 inches

Question 9

How far above fireplace openings should combustibles be if they project out beyond the opening by 1 1⁄2 inches?

Answer 9

12 inches.

Question 10

How far should combustibles be from the firebox walls?

Answer 10

4 inches.

Question 11

How far should combustibles be from chimneys?

Answer 11

2 inches

Question 12

How far should combustibles be from an outside combustion air inlet duct?

Answer 12

2 to 9 inches.

Question 13

Zero clearance fireplaces do not typically require any clearance from combustibles at the top of the firebox.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

To improve fire safety, what two devices should be provided in a home with a fireplace?

Answer 14

1. Smoke detector (and carbon monoxide detector)
2. Water-based fire extinguisher

Question 15

A home inspection includes an analysis of the quality of chimney draw for a fireplace.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

Basement fireplaces typically draw better than first or second floor fireplaces because the chimney is taller.

Answer 16

False

Question 17

Smoke on a mantel always means a poor drafting fireplace.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

Modern footings and foundations for modern fireplaces are typically made of:

Answer 18

Poured concrete

Question 19

Fireplace footings most likely to settle are -

Answer 19

footings that were provided sometime later than the house foundation

Question 20

List five common footing and foundation problems.

Answer 20

1. Cracked
2. Settled
3. Heaved
4. Concrete, masonry or mortar deterioration
5. Leakage

Question 21

List at least ten causes of fireplace foundation cracks.

Answer 21

1. Missing footings
2. Footings too small
3. Poor soil conditions
4. Soil has been undermined
5. Tree roots below footings
6. Expansive soils
7. Deteriorated footings or foundations
8. Footings are not below the frost line
9. Excess backfill height
10. Saturated and frozen backfill
11. Heavy vehicle traffic past foundations
12. Careless backfilling

Question 22

Inside the firebox of a masonry fireplace, the surface of the hearth is typically

Answer 22

Firebrick

Question 23

The hearth extension typically sits on ______________ inches of ______________.

Answer 23

4 inches of poured concrete

Question 24

Hearths should extend ______________ inches out in front and ______________ inches to either side of the fireplace opening.

Answer 24

16 inches out and 8 inches to the side, or 20 inches in front and 12 inches to either side.

Question 25

If the firebox is raised, the hearth extension can be smaller.

Answer 25

False

Question 26

List seven common hearth problems.

Answer 26

1. Too small 2. Gaps or cracks 3. Settled 4. Inappropriate material 5. Wood forms not removed 6. Too thin 7. Evidence of overheating