Fireplace Question

[111mart111]

Hi all,
In my 1880 2 story semi, there is a what looks like replica or reconditioned fire grate put well into the fireplace (complete with the 'flap' up into the chimney, so the drafts can be closed out). Looking up the chimney, there isn't a flue or anything, but doing a 'smoke test' showed the smoke going out of the chimney very well. My questions are: apart from an ashpan and a carbon monoxide detector, can anyone think of anything else I need before I can enjoy a small fire in my living room? Ideally I wanted a log burner, but the living room is too small, and coupled with the expense it seemed a shame to rip out a perfectly good (and I hope functioning) grate.

Many thanks in advance,

Maarten

 

[Lime]

Even a carbon monoxide detector is an extra you will never use with an open fire. The CO problems of the past have mostly/always been with gas or enclosed draught-restricted fires that burn in an oxygen starved atmosphere (and leak).
An optical smoke detector would be more useful.
Check that the flue flap opens fully and properly and cannot be blown shut with a downdraught.

If you haven't used the fire for a long time (or at all) then an inspection of the chimney within the loft would be a good idea to ensure it is sound.

Also have the chimney swept.

A good spark guard is important too as it gives peace of mind when you leave the fire.

Enjoy your open fire (and dust ).

 

[Penners]

Just a couple of small additions to Lime's excellent advice.

Firstly, don't worry that you can't see a flue up the chimney. This is perfectly normal. Flues are usually only used for stoves (wood, gas etc.).

Secondly, Lime has suggested inspecting the chimney in the loft. I would add - do it when you first light a fire. That way you can see whether smoke is leaking from any porous parts of the chimney.

 

[Nemesis]

In my experience, the bit which usually leaks is the bit between floors, which is a b*gger really as unless you have open joists (in which case you probaly won't have the problem...) you can't see it until the room above fills with smoke.

A real smoke test should be carried out under pressure, blocking off the chimney pot top and bottom and putting in a smoke bomb. However, if all seem sto be functioning and the fire is drawing proceed with caution and use it.

If you haven't a flue I would worry actually - the flue is the bit which carries smoke from the fire up to the stack. I think Penners has been at the Sanatogen again... it can run inside a wall and be brick or stone, lined or not. Stoves do have metal flues, usually only part way until they join the masonry flue.

Check that there is some sort of infill behind the insert, not a large void.

 

[Penners]

Scuse me, Missis - Mart appeared concerned that he couldn't see a flue up his chimney. Not unreasonably, I understood this to mean that he wondered whether an open fire might need a metal flue liner.

As for the Sanatogen - I gave it up when its fortifying effects were no longer proved sufficient for the task.