Jargon Buster

Below is a breakdown of some common terms and phrases often used in the description of fires and stoves

Air Vent
Means of air supply to a room (usually 100cm2) from outside air to assist the combustion process.

Balanced Flue
See Understanding your flue page

Class 2 Flue
See Understanding your flue page

Convector gas fire
Convector gas 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, passes 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.

Fanned Flue
See 'Powerflue'

Fire bed
The area above a gas fire burner where the gas burns.

Fireguard
A frame placed in front of a fire to prevent accidental contact and used especially to protect children and elderly persons.

Flame supervision device
A safety device that monitors a pilot and cuts off the gas supply to the main burner if the pilot is extinguished.

Flueless or Catalytic Gas Fires
These fires do not require any chimney or flue or even an outside wall – they use the latest in gas fire technology and can be installed virtually anywhere – the combustion gases produced by the fire pass through a catalytic converter within the appliance which converts the poisonous Carbon Monoxide into harmless Carbon Dioxide and water vapour.

Fret (Fire Front)
External decorative fire front usually freestanding and finished in brass, silver or black.

Fuel-bed
Simulated fuel effect of a fire such as coal, pebbles or driftwood effects.

Gas input
The amount of gas used by an appliance usually quoted in Kilowatts per hour on maximum setting.

Hearth
The floor of a fireplace that extends outwards into the room.

Heat output
The typical maximum heat output of an appliance usually quoted in Kilowatts per hour.

Inset fire
An appliance that fits into a fireplace opening, no part of which projects forward of the vertical plane of the chimney breast. Designed to fit into a standard fireplace opening – these types of real flame fires are the most popular and replicate the appearance and appeal of a coal fire without the inconvenience associated with burning coal. It is suitable for installation into a traditional (Class 1) or Class 2 flue. Balanced flue and Powerflue versions on some models are also available.

Low lintel
A fireplace lintel (supporting beam) at a low level.

LPG
Liquid Petroleum Gas. Certain properties, especially in rural areas have no access to natural gas and the most common alternative is to have a LPG tank installed. Not all gas fires are compatible to work with LPG.

No-vent (NV)
A gas fire that would normally operate without additional purpose provided ventilation.

Outset Fire
This type of gas fire hangs onto the wall or sits onto a hearth. It will usually have living flames or a glass front to increase efficiency. It is suitable for installation into a traditional (Class I) or pre-cast & Class II flue. Balanced flue (no chimney or flue required) versions of some models are also available.

Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS)
A safety device which is part of the pilot assembly, that extinguishes the fire if there is a build up of harmful gases.

Permanent pilot
A pilot light that is left on continuously, removing the need to turn it on each time the appliance is lit.

Piezo Ignition
Most gas fires are supplied with manual piezo spark ignition which allows the user to light the fire by simply turning a control knob (usually located discreetly behind the front trim of the fire)

Pilot
A small jet of gas that is used to ignite a main gas burner.

Powerflue
See Understanding your flue page

Pre-Cast Flue
See Understanding your flue page

Pre-Fabricated Flue
See Understanding your flue page

Radiant gas fire
All gas fires give off radiant heat. Radiant heat is like being warmed by the sun. The heat moves (radiates) outward from the fire into the room, the closer you get to the fire the warmer you feel.

Rear vent
A flue for a power flue fire whereby the flue exits from the rear of a fire directly through a wall to outside air.

Rebate
A Fireplace Surround rebate is the difference between the outside and inside leg return. It is the distance from the face of the back panel to the wall behind. Fire Surround rebates can occasionally be increased to allow for a deeper fire in flat-wall or shallow flue situations.

Remote Control
Operational control on a gas or electric fire. This type of control is ideal for those who want the added luxury of being able to adjust their fire from the comfort of their armchair. In many instances this type of control will be available only as an extra cost option - although more and more fires are now being produced with remote control as standard.

Slide Control
Operational control on a gas fire. This type of control is ideal for those who want to be able to switch the fire on/off or up/down without having to kneel or bend down to hearth level. The control lever is located at high level on the side of the gas fire. A mechanical linkage connects from the lever to the gas control knob beneath the fire. In most instances this type of control will be available as an extra cost option.

Spacer kit
Additional accessory necessary when the depth of an opening is restricted for particular installations.

Trim
A decorative metal frame around an appliance used in conjunction with a fire front.

Ventilation
Means of air supply to a room (usually 100cm2) from outside air to assist the combustion process.