Fireplace Safety is a must-do for all families!

Fire Safety is important all year round, and becomes even more important if you are using space heaters, candles and fireplaces.

Maintain Your Fireplace!
Like anything else, fireplaces must undergo yearly maintenance to ensure the safety of your family. In particular:

• An annual inspection by a chimney specialist is helpful in determining if there are cracks in the flue lining, bricks and mortar. Any structural problems should be repaired prior to operating the fireplace.
  
  
• Ask your chimney sweep professional to check for obstructions (such as a bird’s nest) and to inspect the chimney for creosote buildup.

Safe Operation:

• Make sure your fire alarms have fresh batteries and are in working order by testing them monthly!
  
  
• Install a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace.
  
  
• Install a screen to completely cover the fireplace opening to keep sparks from flying out.
  
  
• Keep combustible materials such as carpets, furniture, paper, logs and kindling at least 3-feet away from the fireplace.
  
  
• Arrange grate and irons so logs can’t roll out.
  
  
• Use only enough gas (if a gas-fed fireplace) or wood to keep the fire at the desired temperature. Avoid roaring fires. They can start chimney fires from soot and creosote deposits in the flue.
  
  
• Do not use gasoline or other flammable liquids to kindle or rekindle a fire. Flammable vapors can explode! Any flammable liquids, including those from craft projects can vaporize and travel the length of a room!
  
  
• Keep the damper open while the logs or gas is burning to provide for efficient burning and to prevent accumulation of poisonous or explosive gases.
  
  
• Never burn Christmas tree greens. They cause many sparks when burning and can cause a chimney or house fire.
  
  
• Remove colored comic sections before rolling newspapers into logs. The colored inks contain lead and can provide toxic gases.
  
  
• Do not use coal, charcoal or polystyrene packaging in a fireplace unless the fireplace is designed to handle the excess heat and smoke, which occurs when burning these materials.
  
  
• Do not treat artificial logs the same way you treat real wood logs. Use only one at a time. If you use more, they can produce too much heat for some fireplaces to withstand.
  
  
• Keep children away from the fire! For younger children, special gates, etc. can be purchased to further increase the distance between the fire and your child.
  
  
• Be sure all ashes have thoroughly cooled before you dispose of them. Put ashes in a lidded metal container to prevent a possible fire and provide a sturdy place to store them. Ashes make good fertilizer in gardens, flowerbeds, etc.
  
  
• Be sure the fire is out completely before retiring for the evening.

GAS FIREPLACES

If you desire comfort, warmth & style, you are considering the addition of a wood or gas fireplace or stove to your home. This involves some planning – not only are you purchasing a heat source but adding an integral element of design to a room. O’Brien Masonry Ltd. can order gas fireplaces and inserts through their dealership in Clarenville/Port Blandford, with guaranteed delivery in 3 days. Visit http://www.vermontcastings.com to view the latest designs in gas fireplace and inserts.

These questions and answers are provided to help you make the choice that's right for your home.

General Fireplace Questions

1. What is a direct vent fireplace?
A direct vent fireplace gets 100% of its combustion air from outside. It does not take warm air and oxygen out of your house or allow cold air and creosote smell into your house like a traditional wood burning fireplace.

2. Do gas fireplaces heat? If so, how large of an area will they heat?
Many gas fireplaces give off a significant amount of heat. There are decorative and heater rated gas fireplaces. Heater rated gas fireplaces can be operated with a thermostat. Most gas fireplaces have a range of 20,000 to 40,000 btu input, at about 70% efficiency, capable of heating up to 1,000 sq/ft. in the average home.

3. What about ventless gas fireplaces? Can I put one in my home?
Ventless gas fireplaces are very efficient. However, dealers are not allowed to install them in Ontario. There are concerns about ventless heaters, such as moisture buildup and indoor air quality.

4. Can I replace my woodburning fireplace or stove with a gas fireplace or stove?
We put direct vent gas inserts into existing wood burning fireplaces. In the case of a zero-clearance fireplaces, we either install a direct vent gas insert or replace it with a direct vent fireplace. Woodstoves cannot be converted. We have replaced many woodstoves with direct vent gas stoves.

5. Will my fireplace, insert or stove operate when the electricity goes out?
Yes, Fireside Corner sells standing pilot gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts. These are millivolt systems that don't require electricity to function.

6. How much does it cost to operate a gas fireplace?
The average cost of a therm (100,000 btu's) of gas in the twin city metro area has been about 50 cents. The cost of a 25,000 btu fireplace would be 12.5 cents per hour. The cost is often more than offset by your furnace not coming on as often.

Shopping for a Fireplace

1. Planning Tips for Gas Stoves

• Don’t always assume bigger is better. Remember that the bigger the stove the higher the heat output, so it depends how much space you want to heat. Gas stoves tend to be more effective in supplying heat to the home, since all of its surfaces are exposed to the room. It’s wise to bring a sketch of your room floor plan with you.
  
  
• If you are choosing a porcelain enamel finish gas stove, check with your dealer about the manufacturers’ enamel coating process.
  
  
• Due to the flexibility in venting with minimal clearance or protection needed, Majestic and Vermont Castings gas stoves can be installed almost anywhere in your home. You can enjoy convenient flick-of-a-switch operation, which can be augmented with either a hand held remote or wall thermostat.

2. Planning Tips for Gas Inserts

• Measure the height, width and depth of your existing masonry fireplace and bring these dimensions along with you so that we can recommend the most appropriate insert mode.
  
  
• An optional wall thermostat is the way to go if you want to keep your room at a comfortable and optimal heat level.
  
  
• If you are redecorating and renovating at the same time, did you know that you could paint your existing brick fireplace front?

3. Planning Tips for Wood Fireplaces

• Since there are so many choices, think first whether you want your fireplace for ambiance or supplemental heat. That will help you narrow your choices.
  
  
• We can provide options for finishing you fireplace, such as Majestic’s own line of glass doors and wooden mantels.
  
  
• If building or remodeling, bring your home/addition plans to us. We can work with your builder or remodeler to plan and schedule your fireplace installation.

Owning/Operating your Fireplace

1. I plan to use wood as backup heat. What do I look for and how long should it be aged?
We recommend mixed hardwoods that have been cut and dried for at least one year. You can tell if the wood is dry by the cracks or checks at the end of each piece of wood.

2. Can I get another style of gas logs or reposition the ones I have?
While there are some exceptions, in most cases you can't go to a different style of log. Gas logs must be in a certain position or they will cause sooting.

3. How do I light the pilot on my gas fireplace?
There are two kinds of gas fireplaces - electronics ignition and standing pilot. If you have a standing pilot system the pilot lighting instructions are usually written on a plate behind your lower grill. The installation manual also covers the steps in lighting the pilot. When in doubt please don't hesitate to Ask the Experts. It is our pleasure to assist you.

4. Can I adjust the flame on my gas fireplace?
Many of the newer gas fireplaces have a flame adjustment knob. You can check by opening the lower grill of your fireplace. If there is a silver dial the size of a quarter you should be able to adjust the flame up and down with the fireplace burning. In some cases your local dealer can add a flame adjustment knob to the existing fireplace.

5. Can a blower be added to my fireplace?
You should make sure there is electricity wired to the junction box of your fireplace. If the junction box is wired a fan can easily be added. Otherwise the junction box must be wired for electricity.

6. Can I change the way my fireplace looks?
Yes, most fireplaces have different front options such as a screen, polished brass, black, arch or brass strips.
Go to the any of the suggested websites to view many different treatments that will give your fireplace a look that is unique to your home and in keeping with your lifestyle and décor. Over 300 ideas may be viewed at http://www.getdecorating.com/fireplaces.cfm