Fire Place Terms

The opening on the face of the brick.

Fireproof masonry floor in front of the opening.

An extension from the face of the fireplace above the opening.

The area within the opening that is lined with firebrick.

The narrow area just above the combustion chamber.

A steel or cast-iron door directly over the throat to control the draft through he fireplace opening.

The horizontal projection just above the inclined back wall of the chamber. It prevents downdrafts through the flue from putting out the fire.

The tapered cavity above the smoke shelf and below the flue.

Vitrified terra-cotta units lining the flue.

Extensions of the flue lining above the top of the chimney.

Concrete cap at the top of the chimney for the purpose of waterproofing the masonry. Its sloping top surface sheds water; sometimes known as a "cement wash".

Small door in the floor of the fireplace for removal of ashes.

Cavity below the fireplace from which ashes can be removed through a basement or an exterior door.