GB2194039A

GB2194039A - Simulated solid fuel gas fires

Info

Publication number: GB2194039A
Application number: GB08719274A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Greg Taylor; Paul Stanley; Ian Deakin
Original assignee: Hepworth Heating Ltd
Current assignee: Hepworth Heating Ltd
Priority date: 1986-08-15
Filing date: 1987-08-14
Publication date: 1988-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2007-08-14
Also published as: GB2194039B; GB8719274D0; GB8619895D0

Abstract

A gas fired live fuel effect space heating appliance incorporates a main fuel bed 13 of incandescent material and an auxiliary fuel effect unit 10 located forwardly of the main fuel bed and extending between same and the front 16 of the appliance. The auxiliary fuel effect unit 10 provides a barrier preventing combustion products or flames extending forwardly of the front of the main fuel bed 13. At least a major portion of the line of junction between the main fuel bed and the auxiliary fuel effect unit is located at or closely adjacent to the fire line 14 of the appliance. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Space heating appliances This invention relates generally to space heating appliances.

Gas fired space heaters of the inset type, that is which are designed to be located within an opening in a wall or the like rather than placed in front of the wall, must be designed to meet British Standards and/or Codes of Practice relating to safety. In particular inset gas fired space heaters incorporating live fuel effects require to be fitted with fire guards unless they are designed such that no incandescent material or flame can extend in front of a predetermined "fire line". Typically this fire line lies 50 mm in front of the face of the wall or the like into which the fire is fitted. In order to meet these requirements the normal fuel bed of the fire which becomes incandescent during operation cannot extend forward of the fire line.

The present invention provides a fuel effect unit adapted to be located between the fire line and the front of an inset gas fired space heating appliance, the unit incorporating a heat and flame barrier at least a major portion of which is adapted to extend along or closely adjacent to the fire line of the appliance, and having an upper surface textured to simulate fuel.

Advantageously the unit is of continuous one-piece construction and is adapted to completely fill the space between the fire line and the front of the fire.

In some cases portions of the unit may be arranged to extend into the main fuel bed of the fire, the portions generally being located at the ends of the unit so as to extend into each of the front corners of the main fuel bed.

The unit may be constructed from ceramic material and the textured surface wili generally be contoured to simulate coal or logs.

When fitted to a fire the unit provides a barrier extending across the fuel bed to prevent incandescence or flames extending in front of the fire line and also has the effect of increasing the apparent size of the fuel bed.

The invention also provides a gas fired live fuel effect space heating appliance incorporating a main fuel bed of incandescent material and an auxiliary fuel effect unit located forwardly of the main fuel bed and extending between same and the front of the appliance, the auxiliary fuel effect unit providing a barrier preventing incandescence or flames extending forwardly of the front of the main fuel bed.

Preferably the auxiliary fuel effect unit comprises a base or barrier member of continuous one-piece construction having an upper surface textured to simulate fuel.

Preferably at least a major portion of the line of junction between the main fuel bed and the auxiliary fuel effect unit is located at or closely adjacent to the fire line of the appliance. in some cases portions of the auxiliary fuel effect unit may extend into the main fuel bed generally at each front corner thereof.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are front, end and plan views respectively of an auxiliary fuel effect unit in accordance with the invention; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view depicting the unit of Figs. 1 to 3 installed in an inset gas fire; and Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are front, end and plan views respectively of a modified auxiliary fuel effect unit in accordance with the present invention.

In Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings there is~ shown a fuel effect unit 10 constructed to resemble a set of coals. The unit comprises a continuous one-piece base portion 11, the top surface 12 of which is textured and contoured to simulate coal. It wiil be appreciated that the top surface could also be constructed to simulate any other fuel, such as logs. The unit is constructed from a fibrous ceramic material bound together by a temperature resistant binder and suitably coloured.

Fig. 4 of the drawings shows the unit of Figs. 1 to 3 installed in a typical inset gas fire, only the relevant parts of which are shown. The unit is disposed in front of the main fuel bed 13 of the gas fire, the boundary between the main fuel bed 13 and the unit coinciding with the "fire line" 14 of the fire.

The unit 10 is retained in place by a retaining member 15 having an upturned lip 15A which engages a recess IIA in the rear face of the unit 10. The retaining member is itself supported on the front fret 16 of the fire. As shown, the unit fills the space between the front edge 17 of the main fuel bed 13, as defined by the fire line 14 and the fret 16, and the coal effect upper surface 12 has the effect of increasing the apparent size of the fusel bed 13. The continuous rear face of the base portion 11 of the unit forms a heat and flame barrier preventing incandescence or flames from extending forwardly of the fire line .

In Figs. 5 to 7 of the drawings, there is shown a modification of the unit depicted in Figs. 1 to 3, in which the two ends 18 and 19 of the unit 10 are provided with extensions 20 and 21 respectively, which extend into the front corners of the main fuel bed of the fire when the unit is in place on the fire.

These extensions have the effect of extending the barrier formed by thebase portion 11 of the unit round the front corners of the fuel bed, thereby preventing "spillage'' of combustion products at the corners which can be a problem with certain constructions of fire.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the auxiliary fuel effect unit may be constructed from a number of different materials, the size and shape of the unit may be altered to suit individual appliances and positive means of locating the unit in position may be provided if desired.

Claims

1. A fuel effect unit adapted to be located between the fire line and the front of an inset gas fired space heating appliance, the unit incorporating a heat and flame barrier at least a major portion of which is adapted to extend along or closely adjacent to the fire line of the appliance, and having an upper surface textured to stimulate fuel.

2. A fuel effect unit according to claim 1 is of continuous one-piece construction and is adapted to completely- fill the space between the fire line and the front of the fire.

3. A fuel effect unit according to claim 1 or 2 wherein portions of the unit are arranged to extend into the main fuel bed of the fire.

4. A fuel effect unit according to claim 3 wherein said portions are located at the ends of the unit.

5. A fuel effect unit according to any preceding claim constructed from ceramic ma terial .

6. A fuel effect unit according to any preceding claim wherein said textured surface is contoured to simulate coal or logs.

7. A fuel effect unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A fuel effect unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A gas fired heating appliance fitted with a fuel effect unit according to any preceding claim.

10. A gas fired live fuel effect space heating appliance incorporating a main fuel bed of incandescent material and an auxiliary fuel effect unit located forwardly of the main fuel bed and extending between same and the front of the appliance, the auxiliary fuel effect unit providing a barrier preventing incandescence or flames extending forwardly of the front of the main fuel bed.

11. A heating appliance according to claim 10 wherein said auxiliary fuel effect unit comprises a base or barrier member of continuous one-piece construction having an upper surface textured to simulate fuel.

12. A heating appliance according to claim 10 or 11 wherein at least a major portion of the line of junction between the main fuel bed and the auxiliary fuel effect unit is located at or closely adjacent to the fire line of the appliance.

13. A heating appliance according to claim 12 wherein portions of the auxiliary fuel effect unit extend into the main fuel bed.

14. A heating appliance according to claim 13 wherein said portions are located at the ends of the auxiliary fuel effect unit and extend into each of the front corners of the main fuel bed.

15. A heating appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.