Masonry Fireplace Throat Dampers

A traditional fireplace damper will usually be positioned just inside the base of the chimney called the throat of the chimney at the top of the fireplace.

Masonry fireplace throat dampers.

They are usually made of a cast iron plate that can be opened or closed with the help of a lever or handle. Over time the extreme heat and rapid change in temperature. Fireplace dampers sit almost directly above the heat of the fire. A selection of diy outdoor fireplaces modular fireplaces fireplace surrounds and accessories for fireplace construction such as hi temp flue liners ash dumps and spark arrestors.

This style consists of a cast iron frame or throat mortared above the top of the firebox inside the smoke chamber with a cast iron plate that pivots open or shut. The minimum required bearing length on each end of the fireplace opening shall be 4 inches 102 mm. Throat dampers heavy gauge steel construction throughout. Insulation is provided to prevent masonry cracking.

A throat damper is a plate made from a fire resistant material such as metal or ceramic and sits just above the firebox covering the entire internal area of the chimney. Vestal fireplace dampers either poker control rotary control or chain control meet the qualifications. The back flange of the fireplace damper should be protected from intense heat by being placed directly over and fully supported by the back wall firebrick masonry. The fireplace throat or damper shall be located not less than 8 inches 203 mm above the lintel.

A throat damper can be manually opened or closed using a handle or lever and helps to prevent loss of warm air from a home when the fireplace isn t being used. This allows the damper to be hidden from away from view but also easily accessible from within the fireplace. For questions on any of the available fireplace or accessory please contact an rcp block brick near you. Here s what you can expect a throat damper to look like.

A damper must be in one piece that is snug to the flue in order for it to work properly. Masonry over a fireplace opening shall be supported by a lintel of noncombustible material. The fireplace damper should not be built in solidly at each end. This can warp and damage the fireplace damper thus needing replacement.

Vestal 42 inch cast iron throat style fireplace damper. For decades the most common damper in masonry fireplaces was a cast iron throat damper.