What was the most common mistake people made when building fireplaces in 1913, according to Henry H. Saylor?
- Not using a cast iron throat damper
- Ignoring the ratio between the fireplace opening and the flue size
- Using glazed tiles for the fireplace opening
- Failing to properly lay the brickwork in the chimney
Correct Answer: Ignoring the ratio between the fireplace opening and the flue size
Correct Answer Explanation: Saylor argued that most fireplaces did not work properly because people ignored the science of fireplace construction, particularly the importance of a proper ratio between the fireplace opening and the flue size.
What material was considered the most practical and aesthetically pleasing for fireplace facings and mantels in 1913?
- Concrete
- Brick
- Tile
- Stone
Correct Answer: Brick
Correct Answer Explanation: Brick was the most popular choice in 1913 for fireplace facings and mantels because of its durability and pleasing aesthetic.
Why did Saylor recommend against using glazed tiles for fireplace openings?
- They are too expensive
- They are difficult to clean
- They are not heat-resistant
- They are not aesthetically pleasing
Correct Answer: They are not heat-resistant
Correct Answer Explanation: Glazed tiles are not heat-resistant and can crack or break when exposed to high temperatures, making them unsuitable for fireplace openings.
What is the recommended ratio between the fireplace opening and the flue size?
- The flue should have a cross-section area one-half the size of the opening
- The flue should have a cross-section area that is equal to the size of the opening
- The flue should have a cross-section area one-tenth the size of the opening
- The flue should have a cross-section area twice the size of the opening
Correct Answer: The flue should have a cross-section area one-tenth the size of the opening
Correct Answer Explanation: This ratio ensures proper draft and prevents excessive smoke.
What is the purpose of a smoke shelf in a fireplace?
- It helps regulate the flow of hot air
- It prevents a downdraft of cold air
- It protects the brickwork from heat damage
- It holds the andirons
Correct Answer: It prevents a downdraft of cold air
Correct Answer Explanation: The smoke shelf, placed just above the throat, prevents a downdraft of cold air, ensuring a steady flame and preventing smoke.
What is the purpose of a narrow throat in a fireplace?
- To provide a more aesthetically pleasing look
- To control the size of the fire
- To provide a place to hang a fireplace crane
- To help regulate the flow of hot air
Correct Answer: To help regulate the flow of hot air
Correct Answer Explanation: A narrow throat helps regulate the flow of hot air, maximizing heat output and minimizing smoke.
Why is it important to build a fire with dry fuel?
- Dry fuel produces more smoke
- Dry fuel burns more efficiently
- Dry fuel is easier to find
- Dry fuel burns hotter
Correct Answer: Dry fuel burns more efficiently
Correct Answer Explanation: Dry wood burns more efficiently and produces less smoke than wet wood.
What is the purpose of a backlog in a fireplace?
- It provides a place to store kindling
- It protects the brickwork from heat damage
- It regulates the flow of hot air
- It controls the size of the fire
Correct Answer: It protects the brickwork from heat damage
Correct Answer Explanation: A backlog is a large log placed against the back of the fireplace, protecting the brickwork and providing a steady base for the fire.
What is the purpose of a forelog in a fireplace?
- It holds the andirons
- It provides a place to store kindling
- It controls the size and intensity of the fire
- It regulates the flow of hot air
Correct Answer: It controls the size and intensity of the fire
Correct Answer Explanation: A forelog is placed on the andirons, controlling the fire’s size and intensity.
What is the purpose of ashes in a fireplace?
- To provide a place to store kindling
- To protect the brickwork from heat damage
- To regulate the fire’s intensity and ensure even burning
- To hold the andirons
Correct Answer: To regulate the fire’s intensity and ensure even burning
Correct Answer Explanation: A thick layer of ashes helps regulate the fire’s intensity, ensures even burning, and creates a beautiful glowing ember bed.
What type of mortar is recommended for fireplace construction?
- Lime mortar
- Cement mortar
- Clay mortar
- Brick mortar
Correct Answer: Cement mortar
Correct Answer Explanation: Cement mortar is stronger and more durable than lime mortar, making it ideal for fireplace construction.
Why is a fireplace screen recommended?
- To prevent sparks from escaping and causing damage
- To provide a more aesthetically pleasing look
- To regulate the flow of hot air
- To control the size of the fire
Correct Answer: To prevent sparks from escaping and causing damage
Correct Answer Explanation: A fireplace screen prevents sparks from escaping and causing damage.
What is the purpose of a fireplace crane?
- To hang pots over the fire
- To hold the andirons
- To regulate the flow of hot air
- To control the size of the fire
Correct Answer: To hang pots over the fire
Correct Answer Explanation: A fireplace crane is a picturesque feature for large fireplaces, but should be used practically rather than just for decoration.
What is the purpose of a trivet in a fireplace?
- To hold the andirons
- To provide a stable surface for warming items
- To regulate the flow of hot air
- To control the size of the fire
Correct Answer: To provide a stable surface for warming items
Correct Answer Explanation: A trivet provides a stable surface for warming items, such as teakettles or toast.
What is a basket grate used for?
- To hold coal in a fireplace
- To provide a stable surface for warming items
- To regulate the flow of hot air
- To control the size of the fire
Correct Answer: To hold coal in a fireplace
Correct Answer Explanation: A basket grate is a metal grate designed to hold coal in a fireplace.
What is the purpose of a damper in a fireplace?
- To control the flow of air through the flue
- To hold the andirons
- To regulate the flow of hot air
- To control the size of the fire
Correct Answer: To control the flow of air through the flue
Correct Answer Explanation: A damper is a movable plate that controls the flow of air through the flue.
What is the preferred fuel for fireplaces, according to Saylor?
- Coal
- Wood
- Gas
- Oil
Correct Answer: Wood
Correct Answer Explanation: Wood is the preferred fuel for fireplaces, as it provides a more natural and enjoyable experience compared to coal.
What is the name of the opening between the fire chamber and the smoke chamber?
- The flue
- The throat
- The smoke shelf
- The damper
Correct Answer: The throat
Correct Answer Explanation: The throat regulates the flow of hot air.
What is the recommended width for a fireplace hearth?
- Sixteen to eighteen inches beyond the face of the fireplace opening
- Six to eight inches beyond the face of the fireplace opening
- One to two inches beyond the face of the fireplace opening
- Twelve to fourteen inches beyond the face of the fireplace opening
Correct Answer: Sixteen to eighteen inches beyond the face of the fireplace opening
Correct Answer Explanation: The hearth should extend about sixteen to eighteen inches beyond the face of the fireplace opening.
What is a common size for a fireplace opening?
- Three feet wide by two and a half feet high, with a depth of half the width
- One foot wide by two feet high, with a depth of half the width
- Two feet wide by one and a half feet high, with a depth of half the width
- Four feet wide by three feet high, with a depth of half the width
Correct Answer: Three feet wide by two and a half feet high, with a depth of half the width
Correct Answer Explanation: A common fireplace opening size is three feet wide by two and a half feet high, with a depth of half the width.
What is the name of the space above the smoke shelf where smoke and gases rise before entering the flue?
- The throat
- The smoke chamber
- The flue
- The damper
Correct Answer: The smoke chamber
Correct Answer Explanation: The smoke chamber is the space above the smoke shelf, where smoke and gases rise before entering the flue.
What is the name of the vertical passageway through which smoke and gases travel from the fireplace to the outside?
- The throat
- The smoke shelf
- The flue
- The damper
Correct Answer: The flue
Correct Answer Explanation: The flue is the vertical passageway through which smoke and gases travel from the fireplace to the outside.
What type of fireplace often uses rough wrought iron andirons and tools?
- The Colonial Fireplace
- The Inglenook Fireplace
- The Craftsman Fireplace
- The Summer Home Fireplace
Correct Answer: The Craftsman Fireplace
Correct Answer Explanation: This style often uses rough wrought iron andirons and tools, complementing the informal brick or stonework.
What is the name of the cozy fireplace type that features a recessed fireplace with seating built into the chimney breast?
- The Colonial Fireplace
- The Inglenook Fireplace
- The Craftsman Fireplace
- The Summer Home Fireplace
Correct Answer: The Inglenook Fireplace
Correct Answer Explanation: This cozy type features a recessed fireplace with seating built into the chimney breast.
What type of fireplace incorporates the fireplace into a wall, creating a more integrated look?
- The Recessed Fireplace
- The Inglenook Fireplace
- The Craftsman Fireplace
- The Summer Home Fireplace
Correct Answer: The Recessed Fireplace
Correct Answer Explanation: This design incorporates the fireplace into a wall, creating a more integrated look.
What type of fireplace features a simple brick opening surrounded by white woodwork?
- The Recessed Fireplace
- The Inglenook Fireplace
- The Colonial Fireplace
- The Summer Home Fireplace
Correct Answer: The Colonial Fireplace
Correct Answer Explanation: This classic type features a simple brick opening surrounded by white woodwork.
What type of fireplace often uses rough stone or brick and may feature a simple log mantel?
- The Colonial Fireplace
- The Recessed Fireplace
- The Summer Home Fireplace
- The Craftsman Fireplace
Correct Answer: The Summer Home Fireplace
Correct Answer Explanation: This informal type often uses rough stone or brick and may feature a simple log mantel.
What type of fireplace allows two fireplaces in adjacent rooms to share a single flue?
- The Recessed Fireplace
- The Double Fireplace
- The Inglenook Fireplace
- The Colonial Fireplace
Correct Answer: The Double Fireplace
Correct Answer Explanation: This design allows two fireplaces in adjacent rooms to share a single flue.
What is the name of the two metal bars with a single rear foot and a steadying front that are used to hold logs above the hearth?
- The flue
- The andirons
- The damper
- The throat
Correct Answer: The andirons
Correct Answer Explanation: Andirons are two metal bars with a single rear foot and a steadying front, used to hold logs above the hearth.
What is the name of the unusual fireplace design that requires a suspended metal flue and hood, creating a focal point in a large space?
- The Inglenook Fireplace
- The Recessed Fireplace
- The Open Fire in the Middle of a Room
- The Double Fireplace
Correct Answer: The Open Fire in the Middle of a Room
Correct Answer Explanation: This unusual design requires a suspended metal flue and hood, creating a focal point in a large space.
Why is terra cotta flue lining recommended?
- It is more aesthetically pleasing
- It ensures smooth, regular sides that prevent clogging and promote efficient draft
- It is more heat-resistant
- It is more affordable
Correct Answer: It ensures smooth, regular sides that prevent clogging and promote efficient draft
Correct Answer Explanation: Terra cotta flue lining ensures smooth, regular sides that prevent clogging and promote efficient draft.
What is the main point that Saylor emphasizes in his 1913 guide?
- The importance of building a fireplace with a narrow throat
- The importance of using brick for fireplace facings
- The importance of understanding the science behind a successful fireplace
- The importance of using a fireplace crane
Correct Answer: The importance of understanding the science behind a successful fireplace
Correct Answer Explanation: Saylor emphasizes that understanding the science behind a successful fireplace is just as important as the aesthetics.
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using a wood receptacle?
- It provides a convenient storage solution for fuel
- It eliminates the need to carry logs from the cellar or woodpile
- It improves the aesthetics of the fireplace
- It helps prevent sparks from escaping and causing damage
Correct Answer: It helps prevent sparks from escaping and causing damage
Correct Answer Explanation: A wood receptacle provides a convenient storage solution for fuel, eliminating the need to carry logs from the cellar or woodpile. It does not prevent sparks from escaping.