FIREPLACES OF TODAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 753, 28 August 1929, Page 14

FIREPLACES OF TODAY

{SMOKING AND SMUDGING NOW AVOIDED The mode of present-day fireplaces ! originated with the Normans when ! they, in building two-storey houses, found the open fires in the central ' living hall impracticable. So someone solved the problem by depressing a shallow recess in a wall with the back sloped upward to a hole connecting with the outside to let the smoke out. Gradually changing living conditions brought changes in fireplaces until today we fiDd beautiful fireplaces in { every part of the world. Many fireplaces have proven to be a great disappointment to their owners. They smoke or smudge, and * so are not used, whereas they should be the centre of all home interest. To overcome these defects there are a few | simple rules that everyone who builds a fireplace should follow: ! 1. The area of the flue should be one-tentli or more of the fireplace opening. 2. Do not contact the flue at the top. 3. A properly proportioned and located throat is important. 4. The area of the throat must not be less than the flue area. 4. There should be a smoke shelf not less than four inches in width about eight inches above the lintel of the fireplace opening and extending the full length of the throat. 5. There should be a smoke shelf hold the accumulated smoke and prevent it passing into the room by a sudden down draft.