glossary
  
   
   
 

Important terms

       
   

 

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

 

 

 

A

ANSI
American National Standards Institute - an organization that establishes the gas testing standards.

 

 

 

B

British Thermal Unit (BTU)
Loosely defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of fresh water through
one degree F. The most commonly used measurement to gauge the heating capacity of all heating appliances.

 

B Vent
Double-wall galvanized metal outer pipe with an aluminum inner. Used for naturally vented gas appliances.

 

B-Vent Flue
A metal flue system that can be attached to a masonry firebox or a metal fireplace to vent smoke and gases out above the roof.

 

 

 

C

 

 

D

Decorative Gas Appliance
A vented gas appliance whose primary function is aesthetic, not heat producing.

 

Direct Vent Fireplace
A gas fireplace with a fixed glass panel in front, which creates a "sealed combustion" - all combustion air, is drawn from outside of the building. No inside air is used for combustion. The direct vent system is sometimes referred to as a balanced flue or sealed combustion system. The unit utilizes a double walled vent pipe, which exhaust combustion gases out in one pipe while bringing fresh air in from the other. The flue pipe can be run directly to the outside through a sidewall or up through the roof. This unit has been around since the early 1980s with a great safety record.

 

 

 

E

 

 

 

F

Factory-built Fireplace
A pre-fabricated metal fireplace, considerably easier to install and more economical. Commonly called zero-clearance fireplaces.

 

Fireplace Insert
Wood or gas appliance designed to be installed partially or fully into the firebox of an existing masonry or factory-built fireplace, and which vents into the fireplace chimney.

 

 

 

 

G

 

 

H

 

 

I

 

 

J

 

 

K

 

 

L

L.P.
Liquid propane gas fuel, usually stored in a bottle, canister or tank. Prevalent in rural areas.

 

 

 

M

Masonry Fireplace
Traditionally built fireplace made out of blocks, brick and mortar. The flue goes up through and above the roofline.

 

 

N

Negative Pressure
Condition in a building where the inside pressure is less than the outside pressure. This is often caused by vented water heaters and furnaces in addition with kitchen and bathroom fans that draw inside air out of the house faster than air can infiltrate around doors and windows in tightly constricted homes. Also sometimes referred to as depressurization, this can adversely affect the performance of naturally vented stoves and fireplaces.

 

N.G.
Natural gas fuel - usually delivered underground via a gas pipe. Prevalent in higher density area/ urban areas.

 

 

 

O

O.D.S.
Oxygen depletion system - a safety device or system which shuts down a gas burning appliance if the oxygen levels in the room falls below a predetermined level.

 

 

P

 

 

Q

 

 

R

 

 

S

 

 

T

 

 

U

 

 

V

Vent Free Fireplace
Nationally certified decorative gas appliance, which has no flue system. First introduced in the United States in the early 1970s, millions of vent free products are currently in use. Each fireplace model must undergo a stringent National Safety Certification, which meets or exceeds ANSI Z21.11.2


There is no fixed glass in front so the flame is live and reacts to air currents in the room. It utilizes a clean burning technology and an ODS pilot light to create a very safe and versatile fireplace.

 

Because their location is not dictated by the need for a flue, these units are quite popular and easy to install. The units are extremely efficient achieving ratings in the 95% range. Vent free units are not permitted in bedrooms or bathrooms.

 

 

 

W

 

 

X

 

 

Y

 

 

Z