Loading... Please wait...

Explained in Laymans terms

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 replicate a solid fuel fire. This term is also used to describe a fire that will give nominal heat output.

Fire bed / Fuel Bed / Matrix
The area above a gas fire burner where the coals / pebbles / logs rest

Fireguard
A frame placed in front of a fire to prevent accidental contact and used especially to protect the young and infirm

Flame supervision device
A safety device that monitors the 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 an outside wall – they use the latest in gas fire technology and can be installed almost 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 in front of fuel bed at the bottom of the fire

Gas Input
The amount of gas going into a fire usually measured in Kilowatts (KW). The larger the input, the more gas the fire is using to heat the room.

Hearth
The base of the fireplace that extends outwards into the room. This sits on the floor and the surround and fire site on top of it.

Heat Output
The amount of heat measured coming from a fire in Kilowatts per hour (KWH). This shows the amount of heat being sent into the room.

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. This will require a special fire which are only available from limited manufacturers (Legend & our own Fireplace Store Online Brand).

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 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 lack of oxygen in the room.

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)

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 / Touch 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 / buttons are located at high level on the side of the gas fire. A mechanical or electronic linkage connects 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.