1/17/2019 How to Build an Indoor Fireplace?

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How to Build an Indoor Fireplace?

An indoor structure built using bricks, stone and metal designed to hold or contain re in it is k
The main purpose of constructing a replace is to keep a house warm and create a relaxing am

In this article, we study the construction of indoor replace and the necessary code requireme

Construction of Indoor Fireplace

The steps involved in the construction of indoor replace are explained below –

1. Foundation Or Hearth Base

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The rst and foremost step in all the construction activities is the creation of a foundation or ba
be at least 100mm below the oor level to allow the hearth and extension for a proper hold. Th
100mm in depth and is supported by masonry foundation.

This base must be thick enough and deep enough to support not only the rebox and chimney
extension that goes 18 to 20 inches beyond the replace opening.

Fig 1: Components of Fireplace.

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2. Fireplace Frame
The frame of the replace is made of metal which is at least two inches away from the outside
and/or chimney. The rough opening in the combustible wall should be at least four inches wide
masonry, and the header should be three inches above the top of the replace opening.

3. Construction of Inner Hearth

The inner hearth of the replace must be constructed with utmost care as this place is under h
and heat. Refractive mortar is used to lay rebricks of inner hearth. If Firebox is used, then the
the above method.
If the replace is built using just bricks, then all the sides of the inner hearth are constructed us
mortar and rebricks.

Minimum width of the joints in brick masonry must be 1/16-inch, this can be achieved using sp

4. Building a Firebox

A main component of Fireplace is its rebox. The replace opening is placed with steel frame g
rebox itself with nine-inch refractory mortar and rebrick laid on edge. Use the glass door fra
for the sizing. Lay the rebrick so that they form the front edge of the covings and meet the ba
the door frame.

5. Construction of Backup Masonry

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Back the rebrick with masonry that is 75 per cent or more solid, making the rebox walls at le
thick.

Next, lay 4x8x16 solid concrete block on the concrete hearth base to create a backup for the r
space or bond break between the rebox backup masonry and the masonry outer shell. This w
nished rebox will not crack as it becomes hot and expands.

6. Throat
The neck of the rebox and the chimney is known as the throat. It is constructed using refractiv
re bricks. Usually, the depth of the throat is 300mm. These days ready-made metal throats ar
the market.

7. Construction of Chimney
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Same as that of the throat, the pre-casted metal chimney is available in the market. Chimneys
four inches larger than the ue they surround in all directions. Combustible materials must be
inches away from the outside of the chimney walls to be safe.

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Fig 2: Components of replace Chimney

By code, the chimney top must be 2 feet higher than any part of the roof within 10 feet and 3 f
highest point of roof penetration. The chimney opening is usually closed with a metal cap so th
does not enter it.

Building Code Requirements for Indoor Fireplace

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Building code requirements for chimneys may vary on a local basis. The requirements, anyway
summed up through the following points –

1. Chimney wall thickness should be a nominal 4 in. (100 mm) unless no ue liner is used, in wh
in. (200 mm) is required.

2. Neither chimney nor ue liner may change size or shape within 6 in. (150 mm) of either oor
components or rafters.

3. The minimum chimney height for re safety is the greater of 3 ft (1.0 m) above the highest po
chimney penetrates the roo ine, or 2 ft (600 mm) higher than any portion of the structure or ad
within 10 ft (3.0 m) of the chimney.

4. Chimney clearance from combustible material is a minimum of 2 in. (50 mm) except where th
located entirely outside the structure, in which case 1 in. (25 mm) is acceptable.

5. The spaces between a chimney and combustible material should be re stopped using a min
mm) thick non-combustible material.

6. All exterior spaces between the chimney and adjacent components should be sealed. This is
accomplished by ashing and caulking.

7. Masonry chimneys should not be corbeled more than 6 in. (150 mm) from a wall or foundatio
chimney be corbeled from a wall or foundation which is less than 12 in. (300 mm) in thickness,
equally on each side of the wall.

Read More : Refractory Mortar – Types and Construction Practice

(https://theconstructor.org/building/refractory-mortar/26987/)

About Fasi Ur Rahman (https://theconstructor.org/author/fasi/)

Fasi is a Civil Engineer associated with Tumkur Smart City Project. He is the author, editor and partner at theconstructor.org

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