AHREN-FIRE Fireplace System
The AHREN-FIRE is a retrofit set of heavy, preformed cement-type panels made to retrofit into an existing fireplace system. Available in several sizes, the AHREN-FIRE is assembled on site mortared into your fireplace opening. UL listed and tested for safety and approved for zero clearance to combustibles.
Features and Benefits:
- Standard masonry fireplaces are built with bricks, and all masonry fireplaces contain offsets to angle the walls to create a smoke chamber and smoke shelf, with some chimneys also having bends or offsets as well. Since smoke rises in a circular pattern, draft is slowed down as the smoke contacts the flat walls and 90 degree angles. By retrofitting the AHREN-FIRE into the fireplace, gentle curves are created that greatly change the aerodynamics of the rising smoke. BENEFITS: the smoke rises more quickly to exit your home, creating less smoke and creosote. (Creosote is merely smoke that has cooled down and becomes solid.) The rounded walls also radiate much more heat from the fireplace, thereby increasing heating efficiency.
Masonry fireplaces must be constructed within defined parameters to assure draft, which allows smoke to exit into the atmosphere. The basic principles of chimney construction defines the design; the cross-sectional area of the chimney should be 1/10 the size of the fireplace opening if the flue is square; the chimney should be 1/8 the size of the fireplace opening if the flue is very rectangular and, if the flue is round, it can be 1/12 the size of the fireplace. Failure to maintain these basic ratios results in a chimney that drafts poorly and perhaps allows smoke back into your room; the excess smoke then leads to creoste in the chimney - providing fuel for a dangerous chimney fire.
By retrofitting an AHREN-FIRE into your fireplace, it is possible to change these ratios by as much as half. For example, a conventional fireplace needs about 100 square inches of flue area, the added efficiency gained by combining the aerodynamic design of the AHREN-FIRE with a round chimney liner can result in a flue that can be half as large, or only 50 sq. in. flue. BENEFITS: since it's obviously difficult to enlarge a flue to help stop smoking problems, the AHREN-FIRE changes the ratios by making the fireplace smaller and more aerodynamic. Not only is your fireplace easier to light, the smoking problem should be eliminated. You can use less firewood AND get longer burn times and more radiant heat from your fireplace. Fire temperatures are hotter, decreasing the amount of smoke produced and thereby helping keep outdoor air cleaner. The material density of the AHREN-FIRE cement fires will continue to slowly release retained heat into the room long after the fire has burned out.
- Meet code requirements for clearances to combustibles, and repair degraded masonry fireplaces. Because of the highly insulative features of the refractory material used to manufacture the AHREN-FIRE firebox panels, the back side of the fireplace walls are much more protected from heat transfer. Masonry fireplaces are required to have 4" clearance from the EXTERIOR wall of the fireplace to surrounding combustibles. Unfortunately it is rare to see a well built masonry fireplace that actually meets code. This clearance requirement helps protect the adjacent 2x4" framing, sheetrock, insulation, wiring and other construction materials from igniting due to heat transfer from the fireplace through the brick. And in older houses where the firebox of the fireplace has cracks or loose bricks, we
presume they too have been constructed with inadequate clearance so the heat transfer danger increases incrementally. BENEFITS: Again, the AHREN-FIRE is a practical solution to this problem too; the thick and durable walls of the AHREN-FIRE provide a high insulation value to help protect against home fires caused by ignition of construction materials that are too close to the chimney. Click the diagram at left for fireplace construction information.
Old Dominion Chimney Liners' brick masons and expert chimney technicians are factory trained, authorized installers of the Ahrens-Fire fireplace repair system. We do not subcontract our work - all work is done by our in-house experts.
If you're concerned about your smoky fireplace, would like to increase your wood burning fireplace's efficiency or are aware your fireplace walls are deteriorated, please schedule an appointment for us to consult with you and determine if the AHREN-FIRE fireplace system is the right solution for your home. You may call us toll-free at 1-800-877-4091.
You can also e-mail us a SERVICE REQUEST and we'll call you back promptly to arrange an appointment at your convenience.
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