Masonry Magazine February 1983 Page. 34
Firebox and Baffle Chamber Width
The width of the firebox and the width of the baffle chambers are usually the same as, or just slightly larger than, the firebox door. Other alternatives exist for the firebox design and firebox doors, and are discussed in other Technical Notes in this Series. The typical European-style door is shown in Figure 6.
Clean-Out Doors
Clean-out doors used in Europe for the baffle system are tight-fitting doors which have tapered latches to ensure tightness of fit. These doors are shown in Figure 6. Conventional clean-out doors may be used, but to ensure tightness, refractory units should be placed within the door opening with a compressible, non-combustible material or set in a sand-lime mortar. This is shown in Figure 7. The refractory units increase the resistance to combustion gas leaks, provide protection to the metal door from high temperatures, and may easily be removed and replaced when cleaning, if necessary. Clean-out doors for the ash drop may be conventional clean-out doors, installed in the conventional manner.
SUMMARY
The information and suggestions contained in this Technical Notes are an accumulation of the available information within the Brick Institute of America on Russian-style fireplaces and brick masonry heaters. The information is based on empirical data from actual performance of such heaters here in North America and in Europe. The information and recommendations are provided for use with good technical judgment for the design and construction of a functional brick masonry heater. Final decisions on the design and use of materials as discussed in this Technical Notes are not within the purview of the Brick Institute of America, and must rest with the project designer, owner, or both.
REFERENCES
1. "Complete Plans and Instructions for Construction and Operation of a Masonry Stove, Finnish, or Russian Fireplace," by Basilio Lepuschinko, Richmond, Maine, 1980.
2. "How to Build a Russian Fireplace," by Jay Jarpe, Los Lunas, New Mexcio, 1980.
3. "A Russian-Type Fireplace Demonstration and Workshop," New Mexico Energy Institute, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1981.
4. "On Building Masonry Firestoves," by J. Patrick Manley, Farmstead Magazine, Fall Issue 1980, No. 34.
5. "What's So Hot About A Russian Fireplace?" by M. R. Allan, Yankee Magazine, Dublin, New Hampshire, February 1978.