To many Americans and indeed Canadians a home without a fireplace is simply not a home. It’s interesting that in current time of our new millennia and 2012 its not only wood fireplaces that many people build and install in their homes, condos, rec rooms and cottages. All types of substitutes abound – natural gas and even tacky electric “fake fireplaces”.
Just why this is so or should be the issue is never 100 % clear. People seem to love fireplaces and fires. Perhaps it goes back to the primeval time of man, when mankind lives in caves and fires were what kept you safe from the wild animals of the night and also kept your warm as well as safe. Perhaps it has to do with primordial notions of home, family and internal mental security even more than simply staying warm and toasty.
Yet it’s a well established fact in the minds of many. that a fireplace or even its psychological surrogate, the wood stove – or more specifically wood burning stove, is an area of calmness , sort of like a magnet of serenity and comfort which we all aspire to, which seems to draw and soothe all that attend to it. On top of that the place of the fire – the old utilitarian kitchen itself – has become the focal point and entertainment, reception area of most newly built or recently renovated upscale home. In a way and manner it’s like the comfort of an old friend, in that fire sharing appliances and fireplaces offer entertainment, comfort and security as well. Perhaps because of , or perhaps as a direct benefit of offering and carrying so much emotional appeal and attractions , its no secret that fireplaces and their kin often serve as the very centerpiece, as well as supreme and overriding design element in the rooms in which they sit and reside.
Yet no matter what the allure of fireplaces, proper safety and installation must always be adhered to. True fireplaces are great and wonderful yet shortcuts in safety or amateur, non-professional installations which don’t meet local building codes and standards must never be allowed or tolerated. Even if the fireplace is simply there for “décor” or as esthetic statement – this is no excuse that the fireplace or wood stove is not installed 100 % safely or properly. You never know at some point that that unsafe unit might actually be fired up with dire results to both people and property.
Hence no matter what fireplaces and wood stoves must be installed properly and safely. If you are not sure, or unsure, then better safe than sorry. Ask professional staff at your local heating supply outlet or big box store. If you are not 100 % sure then have the unit and its installation properly inspected and checked either by local heating and furnace mechanics , trades-people or failing that local building safety inspection authorities.
Sure fireplaces and wood burning stoves are great and wonderful. Yet there is no substitute for safety.
Robert St. Vital
Experienced fireplace installer with Furnasmans Heating , Winnipeg Canada for over 35 years
Mr. St. Vital stresses that always with fireplace and wood burning stove installations , that even if the appliance is meant only as decor that Mantioba safety and building codes must always be met or exceeded . CBC report sparks probe of furnace company – Manitoba - FurnacemanOneHour – winnipeg winter heating & Cooling products Home safety and fire safety around familes come first 100 % with no shortcuts
