INFORMAL RAISED HEARTH TYPE 



ADAPTATION TO LOCATION AND USE 



The adaptation to location is similar to fire- 

 place in plate IV. This fireplace should be con- 

 structed of informal stonework in order to avoid 

 any formal effect contrasting unnecessarily 

 with the natural conditions. In fact it is advis- 

 able in this type with the raised hearth to do a 

 small amount of grading at the back and sides 

 in order to lessen the height of this structure. 



The raised hearth makes it possible to 

 develop a higher elevation for the cooking 

 surface on the top of the grate or plate. This 

 added height for the cooking surfaces makes 

 the unit more convenient, and of value for 

 camp sites as well as picnic areas. 



The hinged grate and the raised back offer 

 the opportunity to convert this fireplace into a 

 campfire or warming fireplace, which also 

 increases its desirability. 



DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 



This type of fireplace has the stone masonry 

 sides, except the shoulders, level with the top 

 of the fire-clay brick and it also has a raised 

 back against which the hinged grate may rest. 

 Note the suggestion for a projecting stone plat- 

 form on which to set cooking utensils. 



The foundation should be a reenforced 

 floating pad as shown on figure 3. 



The raised hearth is constructed of fire-clay 



brick laid on masonry fill on the top of the con- 

 crete pad and the appearance of this fireplace 

 is improved by the construction of a narrow 

 hearthstone (fig. 1) across the front. 



The firebox is hned with fire-clay brick. The 

 single rod across the front part of the farebox is 

 used for supporting fuel in order to increase the 

 draft when the fire is being started. The use of 

 this bar is somewhat questionable because an 

 accumulation of ashes would soon offset any 

 advantage gained by the effort to provide this 

 air space, and furthermore, the bar so buried 

 in live coals will eventually "burn out." 



The stonework is so constructed that it pro- 

 tects the fire-clay brick and conceals this lining 

 to some extent as seen from the front. 



The grate is hinged on a bar which is sunk 

 into "sleeves" inserted in the stonework (pi. 

 XXI, fig. 5, plan B). 



The hinge rod (pi. XXI, figs. 2 and 3) provides 

 a method for securely fasteiung the grate or 

 plate to the fireplace in a simple and solid 

 manner. This provision also makes it easier to 

 remove the ashes from the firebox. The grate, 

 as hinged, may be raised and supported 

 against the back of the fireplace in order to 

 create the effect of an open fire. 



VARIATIONS IN DESIGN 



For variations in design, refer to plate VII. 



36 



