TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Ash
The solid residue left when combustible material is thoroughly burned or is oxidized by chemical means.

Ash Dump
An opening, usually with a hinge door and located at the bottom of the fireplace, through which ashes can be dumped.

Ash Pit
A storage compartment for ashes, located in the chimney base.

Carbon Monoxide
An odorless, colorless, tasteless poisonous gas that is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. This is toxic.

Chase
The area around metal flue pipes, to simulate a chimney. The chase is usually built with wood or steel studs. Most common exterior covering is lathe and stucco. Other variations include brick/stone veneer or wood siding.

Chimney
One or more passageways, vertical or nearly so for conveying flue gases from the appliance to the outside atmosphere.

Chimney Cap
A protective covering or housing for the top of a chimney intended for preventing the entry of rain, snow, animals, etc.

Chimney Cleaning/Sweeping
The process of removing soot, creosote, and debris from a chimney. This should be done on a regular basis in order for the chimney to operate as efficiently and safely as possible.

Chimney Connector
The pipe connecting a fuel-burning appliance to a chimney.

Chimney Liner
The inner portion of the chimney that contains the products of combustion. It can be made of clay tiles or of metal. For flues to be serviceable, they must remain in tact, free from perforations, cracks or damage of any kind that could allow the products of combustion to pass into the living spaces of the home, or the heat from the products of combustion to endanger combustible materials near the flue such as framing, walls, ceilings, insulation, or floors.

Creosote
Chimney and stovepipe deposits originating as condensed wood smoke.

Crown
The slight slope or beveled edge on the top surface of a chimney designed to shed water away from the flue liner.

Damper
A valve, usually a movable or retractable plate, for controlling the flow of air or smoke.

Damper (Top Mount)
Located on the top of the chimney. Works by closing off the top of the flue when not in use so that cold air does not enter the home and that heat/cold air does not get drawn up an open flue. A cable is run down the side of the flue and attached to the side firebox wall. The cable controls the opening and closing of the damper.

Direct Connect
A connector from an insert or hearth stove to the first flue tile in a fireplace.

Direct Vent
Double wall pipe where exhaust air is removed by the liner and combustion air is brought into the appliance between the inner liner and outer wall.

Draft
The rising gas creates a pressure difference called draft, which draws combustion air into the appliance and expels the exhaust gas outside through the chimney.

Firebox
Chamber of a fireplace or stove where the fire actually burns.

Firebrick
Brick composed of clay and silica and designed to withstand high temperatures such as those found in a firebox.

Flashing
Sheet metal or other materials used in waterproofing roof valleys or the angle between a chimney and a roof.

Flue
The passage in a chimney for conveying flue gases to the outside atmosphere.

Flue Liner
Special liner required by codes and standards to cover the inner surface of the flue. The liner serves as a buffer between flue gases and chimney walls and is designed to contain the products of combustion.

Gas Insert
A gas burning appliance that burns propane or natural gas; the insert goes into an existing fireplace and creates a powerful heating source. The flue (venting) goes up through existing chimney and exhausts to the outside.

Gas Fireplaces
Fireplaces that have either been converted from wood to gas or were constructed for gas. Most often their primary purpose is atmosphere rather than heat.

Hearth
Floor area within the firebox of a fireplace or a fireplace stove.

Liner
The interior component of a double-wall chimney.

Masonry Chimney
A field-constructed chimney of bricks, stones or reinforced Portland cement concrete, lined with suitable chimney flue liners built in accordance with applicable building code requirements.

Masonry Fireplace
A hearth and firebox of solid masonry units such as bricks, stones, listed masonry units, or reinforced concrete, provided with a suitable chimney.

Multi-flue Chimney
A single chimney containing more than one flue.

NFPA
National Fire Protection Association – an International Codes and Standards Organization.

Pellets
Small balls or blocks made of wood sawdust with no additives.

Pyrolysis
Chemical alteration of wood, coal, or other combustible materials as a result of the application of heat.

Reline
In reference to relining a chimney where pipe and insulation are placed through an existing flue that needs repair.

Smoke Chamber
Chamber in a fireplace directly above the smoke shelf and extending to the base of the flue.

Smoke Shelf
The area at the bottom of the smoke chamber created as the back wall of the firebox arches forward. The shelf is located at the intersection of the smoke chamber and the firebox. A damper is normally located on the forward side of the smoke shelf.

Single Flue Chimney Cap
A chimney cap designed to attach to and cover one clay tile flue.

Stainless Steel Liners
Stainless steel pipe, either rigid or flexible, made for relining flues of masonry chimneys when the original clay liner has cracked or broken. May also be used to create a lining in a masonry chimney that was made without a clay liner.

Soot
Soft, black, or brown, velvety carbon particle deposits inside appliances, chimneys or connectors, originating in oxygen-poor flames.

Thimble
Fixed or removable ring, tube, or lining usually located in the hole where the chimney connector passes through a wall and enters a chimney or vent.

Top Sealing Damper
(also called a top-mount damper) A device installed at the top of a chimney for the purpose of sealing the flue shut when the fireplace is not in use. They are often used as replacements for throat dampers that are installed just above the firebox when a masonry chimney is built. Top-sealing dampers are much more efficient than throat dampers because they provide a silicone rubber gasket seal rather than metal to metal.

Vent
A continuous passage from the flue collar to the draft hood. Flue gas temperatures at the outlet do not exceed 600 degrees.

Video Scan
Incorporating a closed-circuit video camera and monitor, for inspecting the interior of flues and other inaccessible areas. This provides a very detailed part of the inspection process.

Woodstoves
Enclosed appliances, most commonly constructed of steel or cast-iron, used for burning wood for the purpose of heating an indoor space.