Air Vent
A way of supplying air to a room from the outside to aid in the combustion of a gas/solid fuel fire.

Convector gas fire
Convector fires give a more rapid and even heat distribution throughout the room. Convected heat occurs when a fire actively draws in cold air from the room, passing it through a heat exchanger to warm it up before sending it back out to the room as warm air.

Decorative gas fire
A gas fire designed to be installed in an open flue and to simulate a solid fuel fire. This term is also used to describe a fire that will give minimum heat output..

Flues There are different types of flue systems:

Balanced Flue

Balenced flue gas fires are all glass fronted. They are for homes or areas of the home that have no other type of flue or chimney system. They come supplied with their own ‘flue’.This is a metal pipe which is connected to the back of the fire and vents gases directly through a wall to the outside of the house. Within this pipe is another smaller pipe. The smaller pipe emits the combustion gases and the outer pipe draws in oxygen enabling the fire to ‘breathe’. There are no moving parts and as such these fires do not require an electric supply. This system is very efficient.

Class 1 Flue
One of the most popular flue systems, a Class 1 flue is basically a brick built chimney with a pot on top. The internal diameter of a Class 1 flue is usually 180mm (approx 7”); some are larger. Having a chimney usually means you can have any type of gas fire. It is advisable to have a chimney inspected prior to having a fire fitted to check its internal condition. If the condition is poor then all is not lost. You can still have a gas fire fitted but a flueliner (explained further down) may have to be installed within the chimney. However, the diameter of the flue may restrict the choice of fire. Again, it is worth checking before making a purchase.

Class 2 Pre-Fabricated Flue
Very similar to a Class 1 flue except that a pre-fabricated flue is made up of sections of flue pipe attached together and terminating on the roof of the house via a metal flue pipe rather than a chimney pot. At the base of the flue where the fire is to be fitted is a metal box with the flue pipe attached to it. Class 2 flues are slightly smaller in diameter than a Class 1 flue (usually 127mm) and therefore only fires approved for use on such a flue should be used.

Fanned Flue
Also known as ‘Powerflue’ this term is given to fires which expel the products of combustion directly behind them through a wall onto the outside of the house, using an electronic fan unit enclosed in a box which is housed on the outside of the wall and driven by electricity. As the products of combustion are literally ‘sucked’ out of the fire there is no need for the fire to have a glass front, so therefore there is no loss of realism generally associated with a ’Balenced Flue’. In the unlikely event that the fan unit fails, a microprocessor automatically shuts down the fire rendering it safe. It is important to remember that both a gas supply and an electricity supply are needed to operate the fire so it is worth checking if these supplies are nearby prior to fitting.

Pre-Cast Flue
Most often found in new build properties and houses built in the late 60’s or early 70’s. As the name suggests the flue is made up of Pre-Cast hollow concrete blocks which are built into the wall cavity of the house during construction and terminating in a ‘ridge tile’ on the roof of the house. Some pre-cast flues terminate in the loft area where the concrete hollow blocks join a metal flue pipe, which in turn terminates through the roof and is again attached to a raised ridge tile. As the hollow flue blocks are placed into the wall cavity the depth of the flue is limited and therefore the choice of fires is slightly limited - again, check beforehand if the fire is suitable for use with the flue. Most manufacturers will state in their brochures what type of flue a particular fire is suitable for.

Flame supervision device (FSD)
This is a safety device fitted to a gas fire. It automatically turns off the gas supply to the fire if for any reason the flame goes out or becomes unstable.

Fire Front (Fret)
A decorative front which is usually freestanding in front of an inset gas fire. Usually also hides the controls of the fire.

Fuel-bed
The type of fuel a gas fire is trying to reproduce. i.e Coal, Logs ,Pebbles etc.

Gas input
The amount of gas used by an appliance. This is usually quoted in Kilowatts.

Hearth
The base or floor of a fireplace. It projects into the room. Normally made of granite or marble.

Heat Output

The amount of heat an appliance produces measured in Kilowatts.

Inset fire
A gas or electric fire that fits flush into an open fireplace/wall cavity. These are the most popular fires on the market today as they replicate a real solid fuel fire but without the mess.

LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas)
An alternate type of gas usually supplied to rural areas which have no natural gas pipework system. A storage tank is usually sited outside the property. It is important to know before purchasing if the fire is compatible to work with LPG.

Outset Fire
The opposite of an ‘Inset Fire’.This type of fire protrudes into the room and will either be floor mounted onto a Hearth or “Wall Mounted” (hangs on the wall) Outset fires will fit virtually all standard flue types.

Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS)
Another safety device which is fitted to a gas fire. This device switches off the fire automatically if there is a lack of oxygen in the room or a build up of harmful gases.

Pilot Light
A small flame on a gas fire which ignites the main burner.

Rebate
All fire surrounds have a ‘Rebate’. This is the distance between the inside leg of the surround and the wall. This distance can vary to accommodate various thicknesses of marble or granite back panels.

Spacer kit
An accessory purchased to attach to a fire to help decrease the depth of the fire where the fire opening is shallow. It does, however, increase the depth of the fire that protrudes into the room.

Trim
This is the metal frame that fits around the outside of the fire. It is a decorative item and is usually available in different finishes. i.e Brass, Chrome, Black etc.