AVOIDING FIRES

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31057, 12 May 1966, Page 9

AVOIDING FIRES

Converting Surround Fireplaces and chimneys should be carefully designed and built to guard against fire hazards. Hearths should be composed of reinforced concrete supporting slab with brick or tile surface or a reinforced brick slab. Combustible material should not be placed within 9in of the fireplace opening and the front hearth should extend a minimum of 12in either side of the opening.

All timber work should be kept a clear distance of 2in from the chimney. Some provisions in the United States permit lin if the space is filled with incombustible insulating material. There is probably sound reason for reducing the 2in requirement to lin where the chimney is on an outside wall.

The use of full bed and head joints in all brickwork is essential.

Many fire surrounds of pre-cast concrete tile faces are used with all types of fireplaces and chimneys. Such surrounds should have a lin rebate over the opening.

The lintel if either of precast or cast-in-situ concrete should have a corresponding rebate made so that the two fit tightly in place. This eliminates the possibility of flame or heat igniting the timber framing above the chimney breast.

All surrounds should have ties to fasten them to either the chimney or timber framing adjoining the chimney. There should be at least two ties across the top of the surrounds and two at each side to keep the surround from moving away from its bedding.