Masonry Magazine October 1982 Page. 18
SMOKE
CHAMBER
ASSEMBLY
8 IN. (200 mm) MIN
FIREBOX
ASSEMBLY
G
C
STILLING
CHAMBER
AIR
PASSAGEWAY
AIR INLET
DAMPER
AIR INTAKE
BASE
ASSEMBLY
Single-Face Fireplace Section
FIG. 1a
BACKUP WALL
MASONRY FILL
BEDDED
IN MORTAR
1 IN. (25 mm) MIN
AIRSPACE
ASH DUMP
8 IN. (200 mm
MIN
8 IN. (200 mm) MIN.
HEARTH
16 IN. (400 mm)
MIN
AIR INLET DAMPER
Single-Face Fireplace Plan
FIG. 1b
Multi-Face
Although generally associated with contemporary design, the multi-face fireplace is also of ancient origin. For example, the so-called corner fireplace which has two adjacent open sides has been in use for several hundred years in Scandinavia.
Multi-face fireplaces may have adjacent, opposite, three and even all faces open. Some of these may present design problems which must be solved before satisfactory performance can be expected. Multi-face fireplaces will be discussed in another issue of Technical Notes in this series.
FIREPLACE DESIGN
# General
While the design recommendations given here are for single-face fireplaces, all fireplaces include the same basic assemblies. These are the base assembly, firebox assembly and smoke chamber assembly.
# Base Assembly
The base assembly consists of the foundation and hearth support, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is not
AIR INLET DAMPER
STILLING CHAMBER-
Single-Face Fireplace Front Elevation
FIG. 1c
ASHPIT
necessary that all of these components be present. For slab-on-grade construction, the slab may act as both the foundation and the hearth support, providing it is properly designed.
# Foundation
Masonry fireplaces should be supported with an adequately designed foundation. A typical foundation is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This foundation may consist of footings which may support either foundation walls or a structural slab. Local building codes may differ as to permissible soil pressures for foundations. The minimum requirements contained in many building codes for the various foundation components are:
2