Techniques 05, issued April 1992, page 1 of 3

Open Fireplace Design and Construction

Introduction
This publication gives the basic design and construction principles for a typical Australian open fireplace. The construction
of a trouble-free fireplace requires careful compliance with a number of proven principles. The designer must ensure that
these requirements are always incorporated in a fireplace and are nor omitted or modified to achieve some special effect. The
dimensions quoted here are based on the use of standard-sized bricks with nominal dimensions of 230 x 110 x 76 mm.

Firebox
The bricks selected for the firebox should be hard and well
burned firebricks are not necessary in domestic fireplaces.
The hearth should be laid in brick-on-edge work. As indicated
on the plan it is desirable NOT to bond the side walls with the
face wall, to avoid damage caused by thermal expansion of the
firebox lining. By splaying the side walls, better heat reflection is
obtained.
The rear wall, which may be gently curved rather than
splayed, should be constructed against a template and the void
at the rear filled in with mortar and small brick pieces as the
work proceeds.
The mortar used in the firebox should have an adequate
lime content to ensure flexibility and a mix consisting of one
part cement, two parts hydrated lime and nine parts sand is
recommended.
Joints should be either flush or preferably ironed. Raked
joint expose too mush of the brick to fire damage. An
improvement on the use of normal bricks in the firebox is the
use of fireclay refractory firebricks or firetiles laid in a
proprietary-brand refractory mortar.

Head
This is the lintel across the fireplace opening, which is
usually supported on a flat steel bar or steel angle. The
relationship between head opening and throat is vital.
Many fireplaces smoke because the head is too high above
the hearth, allowing smoke to escape from the firebox into the
room instead of continuing its upward flow into the smoke
chamber and flue.
For a domestic fireplace with an opening up to 1.5 metres wide, it is recommended that the head should be no more than
eight courses (685 mm) above the hearth.

Throat
This is the narrow opening across the top of the firebox through which smoke, flames and gases enter the smoke
chamber. As a general rule the area of the throat should be approximately 10 per cent of the area of the fireplace opening.
An improperly-designed throat will always give trouble. It is essential that the throat width be between 115 and 140 mm. It
is equally important that the top of the rear firewall should be at least 170 mm above the fireplace opening. In the case of an
arched opening this dimension applies to the crown of the arch.

Smoke shelf
Its function is to prevent downdrafts entering the firebox. It is located at the base of the smoke chamber across the full
width of the fireback. It should be dished as illustrated to assist in diverting downdrafts back up the flue. The shelf should be
cleaned of debris each season.

Publications in the CBPI Techniques Series may be reproduced for free distribution. All copies must be in full including this notice. All other rights are
reserved. Local state or national regulations and standards may require variation from the practices and recommendations contained in this publication.
Whereas the contents are believed to be accurate and complete, CBPI and its member companies cannot accept any liability in respect of this
publication. Copyright Clay Brick and Paver Institute, www.claybrick.com.au. ACN 003 873 309.

Techniques 05
Issued April1992
page 2 of 3
Figure 1. Plan, section and elevation of recommended fireplace design

Smoke chamber
This is located symmetrically above the throat, its function being to concentrate smoke and gases from the fire below to
provide a clear passage into the flue. If it is not symmetrical the fire will burn unevenly due to an uneven draft pulling on the
fire. In the construction of the throat and the smoke chamber, corbel courses are used to obtain the necessary shape and
gathering.
It is important that corbel bricks be cut carefully to give as smooth a surface as possible. It is good practice to parge these
surfaces with mortar as the work proceeds.

Flue
The function of the flue is to exhaust the smoke and gases from the fire to the outside as quickly as possible. A
rectangular flue having the same shape throughout its length does this most efficiently.
For fireplaces up to 1.5 metres wide a flue measuring approximately 700 x 155 mm is recommended. After parging all
round, the clear cross-sectional area will be about 675 x 130 mm or 878 cm.
An advantage of the rectangular flue is that it is less likely to admit rain than a square flue. Rain rarely falls vertically. It is
usually accompanied by some wind and this results in any rain penetrating the flue being driven to the sides above the
chimney tray from which it is drained away via weepholes.

Techniques 05
Issued April1992
page 3 of 3

Roof flashing
At the penetration of the chimney with the roof, adequate flashings must be provided. Timber framing for the upward side
of the chimney flashing is needed for support and a suitable material to be used is 20 kg/m lead (approximately 1.8 mm
thick).
Elsewhere around the chimney the chimney, stepped flashings are provided according to standard practice.

Chimney tray
This acts as an internal drain in the flue to divert rainwater. It may be constructed from lead or copper and should have all
joints sweated.
The tray should extend about 20 mm inside the flue with 25 mm turn-up all round. It is extended right through all four
walls of the chimney, forming a damp-proof course and water is drained via several weepholes.

Chimney top
After poor throat design, this element ranks next in causing smoking fires. All to often the flue top is restricted or there are
obstructions which impede the quick dispersal of smoke. With correct fireplace design there should be no need for any flue
cover or diverters.
It is important that the top of the chimney should be clear of any downdrafts or eddies caused by adjacent obstacles such
as the adjoining roof. Usually if the top of the chimney is taken four courses (343 mm) above the nearest ridge this will ensure
a trouble-free emission of smoke from the flue. The height of the chimney top is governed by building regulations.
The top of the chimney should be finished with an oversailing course with a weathered topping of cement mortar to divert
stormwater away from the flue opening.

Damper
The primary purpose of a damper (not shown) is to regulate the draft to allow the fire to burn more efficiently.
When the fire is not in use a closed damper also reduces loss from other heating sources and in summer prevents the
entry of flies. Some state regulations require a damper to be fitted.
A number of proprietary designs are available, some of which fit in the throat and are operated by a lever. Others are
placed in or at the top of the flue and operated by a chain.

Smoking fireplaces
Curing a smoking fireplace can be very difficult. There are many variables, too many for this small publication, however
the most common causes of smoking fireplaces are:

Fireplace opening too high.

Incorrect head or throat design.

Flue too small.

Flue downdrafts.

Faulty chimney top.