| We hope you find this glossary of fireplace terms | | | | matter per hour for catalytic-equipped units and no |
| helpful in your search for the perfect fireplace. If you | | | | more than 7.5 grams for non-catalytic-equipped units. |
| have further questions, feel free to call us toll free at | | | | Firebox -- That portion of the solid fuel appliance |
| 877-669-4669. | | | | where the fuel is located and where primary |
| BTUs -- British Thermal Unit, the primary heat | | | | combustion occurs. |
| measurement unit used by the hearth industry. It is the | | | | Hearth -- The floor of the firebox, most commonly |
| amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 | | | | used in reference to fireplaces. More generally, the |
| lb. of water by 1 degree F. at sea level. | | | | foundation upon which fires for aesthetic and heating |
| B-Vent -- A gas-burning appliance that takes in | | | | purposes are built. Differs from floor protection. |
| combustion air from the home and vents products of | | | | High-Efficiency Wood-Burning Fireplace -- |
| combustion outside the home. B-Vent is also | | | | EPA-approved fireplaces offering a balance of |
| commonly known as natural vent. | | | | elegance and energy efficiency. |
| Builder Series -- Fireplaces specially designed for | | | | Inserts -- Heating units that retrofit into an existing |
| builders and contractors, featuring a beautiful blend of | | | | fireplace (masonry or factory-built). They burn wood, |
| elegance, efficiency and economy. | | | | gas or pellets and offer superior efficiency. |
| Cabinet -- A fireplace cabinet is usually a wooden | | | | Mantel (Flush Mantel) -- Another finishing option for |
| finishing option for direct vent or vent-free fireplaces | | | | direct vent and ventless fireplaces. They can be wood, |
| which are installed on the floor of the room and vented | | | | marble or stone. The mantels do not encase the entire |
| through the wall. They encase the entire fireplace and | | | | fireplace, but frame it. Therefore they are only 1 3/4 to |
| can be made for walls or corners. They range from 13 | | | | 2 1/2 inches deep. Mantels are used when the |
| to 28 inches deep. | | | | fireplace is installed inside the wall or on the outside |
| Catalytic Combustor -- A device used on some wood | | | | wall of the house. |
| burning stoves to reduce the temperature at which | | | | Manually Controlled -- Control the height of the flame |
| smoke is ignited. | | | | at the unit only. |
| Catalytic or Non-Catalytic -- Catalytic wood stoves | | | | Mid-Efficient, Heat-Circulating, Wood-Burning Fireplace |
| and fireplace inserts have ceramic honeycombed | | | | -- Security's HE43 fireplace adds style and warmth to |
| chambers coated with a metal catalyst (usually | | | | any home with 50% efficiency and a panoramic view |
| platinum or palladium) that works to increase the rate | | | | of the fire. |
| of combustion. The catalytic combustor burns away | | | | ODS -- Oxygen Depletion Sensor - A safety device |
| gases and particulates normally emitted into the air. | | | | that activates the fire's flame monitoring device in case |
| Catalytic wood stoves allow people to burn wood at | | | | excessive levels of CO² (deadly carbon |
| lower temperatures for longer periods of time. With | | | | monoxide), are detected. This would reduce the levels |
| Non-Catalytic wood stoves, combustion occurs in the | | | | of oxygen, causing the pilot flame to become unstable |
| firebox. These stoves are generally less expensive | | | | and lift off the thermocouple tip. The fire then turns off |
| than catalytic wood stoves and require less | | | | automatically before the situation becomes dangerous. |
| maintenance. | | | | Pellet Burning -- Made of 100% wood sawdust with no |
| Chase -- A structure built around, and enclosing, | | | | additives. The sawdust in pellets is a manufacturing |
| portions of the chimney and in some cases, housing | | | | byproduct otherwise destined for landfills. |
| the appliance. | | | | Radiant Fireboxes -- Also known as flush face. The |
| Circulating Firebox -- Has louvers at the top and | | | | facing (Stone, Tile, Brick) can cover above and below |
| bottom so that a fan can be installed. Louvers cannot | | | | the fireplace opening. |
| be covered. | | | | Remote Ready -- Able to turn the unit on and off |
| Clearance -- The distance required by building and fire | | | | remotely via a wired or wireless remote. Remote is |
| codes between stove, smoke pipe or chimney and | | | | sold separately. The height of the flame cannot be |
| combustible materials such as wood furniture or | | | | adjusted remotely. Not recommended for vented gas |
| carpets. | | | | logs. |
| Clearances must be observed even if noncombustible | | | | Surround -- For this site we will define a fireplace |
| plaster or other masonry materials protect the | | | | surround as a marble or tile frame between the |
| combustible materials, such as wood furniture or | | | | fireplace itself and the wooden mantel. Cabinets |
| carpets. | | | | seldom use surrounds. However, some manufacturers |
| Direct Vent -- An appliance that draws combustion air | | | | do call a wooden cabinet a "cabinet surround." |
| from outdoors and exhausts it's combustion products | | | | Thermostatically Controlled -- Senses the temperature |
| to the outdoors eliminating the need for a standard | | | | at the unit not of the room. Not as versatile as a |
| chimney system. A glass panel in direct vent units is | | | | remote ready with a thermostat. |
| critical to keeping the combustion system sealed from | | | | Variable Flame Height -- Via the remote, you can |
| the home, maintaining high efficiency and indoor air | | | | increase and decrease the height of the flame and |
| quality. | | | | turn the unit on and off. Also available in |
| Electronic Ignition -- Requires electricity to start the unit | | | | thermostatically controlled. |
| either 110 volt or battery. | | | | Vent-Free -- Gas appliance that has no need for a |
| EPA Regulations -- Government regulations of wood | | | | flue. Although vent-free units offer high efficiency, |
| burning appliances mandating that products sold after | | | | some areas may not permit their use. Please check |
| July 1, 1992 emit no more than 4.1 grams of particulate | | | | with your local building official. |