Masonry Magazine February 1983 Page. 33
Construction must be fully grouted. The grout should conform to ASTM C 476.
Flue Liners
Clay flue liners used for the chimney or to form the baffle chambers should conform to ASTM C 315. They should be thoroughly inspected just prior to installation for cracks or other damage which might contribute to smoke or flue gas leakage. All flue liners should be set in fireclay mortar.
Steel Lintels and Dampers
Steel lintels should not be used inside the exterior 4-in. (100 mm) wythe of the brick masonry heaters because of the high temperatures involved. The difference in thermal expansion characteristics could cause cracking of the brick masonry heater. For the same reason, metal dampers are not used within the Russian-style fireplace. Lintels of corrosion-resistant steel, conforming to ASTM A 36, should be used over the firebox door and cleanout door openings.
Ties and Reinforcement
Corrugated Metal Ties. Corrugated metal ties may be used to attach the baffles to the interior wythe of the heater walls and to tie the two wythes of the exterior walls of the heater together. Ties should be corrosion-resistant, and at least 22 ga, 7/8 in. (22.2 mm) wide, and 6 in. (150 mm) long.
Wire Ties. Wire ties are preferred for tying the brick masonry together. Wire ties should be at least 9 ga and corrosion-resistant. The ties should be fabricated from wire conforming to ASTM A 82 or ASTM A 185.
Prefabricated Joint Reinforcement. Prefabricated joint reinforcement should be used for the exterior wythe of the heater walls. The joint reinforcement should be fabricated from wire which complies with ASTM A 82 or ASTM A 185, and should be corrosion-resistant.
Reinforcement. Reinforcement should conform to any of the following applicable standards:
Standard Specifications for Deformed Billet-Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement ASTM A 615
Standard Specifications for Rail-Steel Deformed Bars for Concrete Reinforcement ASTM A 616
Standard Specifications for Axle-Steel Deformed Bars for Concrete Reinforcement- ASTM A 617
Corrosion Resistance. Corrosion resistance is usually provided by a copper or zinc coating, or by using stainless steel. To ensure adequate resistance to corrosion, coatings or materials should conform to any of the following applicable standards:
Zinc-Coating of Flat Metal ASTM A 153, Class B-1, B-2, or B-3
Zinc-Coating of Wire - ASTM A 116, Class 3
Copper Coated Wire - ASTM B 227, Grade 30 HS
Stainless Steel ASTM A 167, Type 304
Firebox Doors. The doors for the firebox opening may be fabricated locally, ordered from Europe or may be conventional metal Dutch oven doors, which are the most economical. The brick masonry heater is not designed for airtight combustion and thus the doors need to be equipped with operable vents to control air intake into the firebox.
The size of the firebox door is a major consideration in the design of the brick masonry heater. The height and