A fireplace consists of fire contained in a fire box or a fire pit, a chimney, exhaust pipes and other paraphernalia within and outside the structure.
An architectural structure designed to contain a fire and dissipate heat in a residential or commercial area is known as a fire place. In modern times, fireplaces are primarily used to create a tranquilising atmosphere in a residential setting. In early times however, fireplaces had pragmatic purposes such as heating water for washing and laundry, and domestic uses such as cooking food and heating liquids.
A fireplace consists of fire contained in a fire box or a fire pit, a chimney, exhaust pipes and other paraphernalia within and outside the structure. In addition, a fireplace may also hold a foundation, a hearthstone, mantelpiece, chimney crane, grating, smoke chamber etc. amidst others. Additional accessories could include fire hooks, bellows, fire tongs, spades, brushes and tool stands. Some chimneystacks also come with a spark arrestor integrated into the crown or cover.
There are various types of fire places such as brickwork fireplaces used by masons that are constructed from stone or brick, manufactured fireplaces that are made from sheet metal fire boxes and electrical fire places that are used in place of old-fashioned gas or wood fire boxes.
In modern times the need of a having a fire place in a residence has transformed from one of indispensability to one of perceptible interest. In the early days, fireplaces were more like fire pits and were used by families to get warmed up on wintry days and nights as well as to cook food. Fireplaces also served as a 'getting together' place within a home and were usually centred in the room, allowing more people to gather around it.