Building a fireplace from scratch

[energy]

This might be too big a question, but any steer gratefully recieved.

I recently moved into a bungalow with gas central heating and no fireplaces or chimneys. We brought with us from our old house a nice modern gas fire with the intention of installing it.

I have space in the living room and want to build a fireplace. How?

1. Can I just build a fireplace using standard building blocks? do I need firebricks, liners?
2. What ventilation will it need? Do I need to build a chimney and stack or just a vent?
3. Are there regulations I need to look at?

If anyone can point me to an online guide ' how to build a fireplace' that would be great.

I realise I will have to get Mr Corgi to install the gas supply, but should I give the whole job to a builder? I'd much rather DIY.

Thanks

 

[^woody^]

Yes you can "just build a fireplace"

Assuming the floor is solid and will support the fireplace, then just build it in bricks or blocks and leave a suitable opening for the fire. If timber floor you need a hearth an possibly a foundation

You only need a fireback if the fire is an open fire type

If you are using flue blocks, then you will have to construct a brest around it, if you are using a steel liner then you could possibly just form a plasterboard casing with suitable insulation. Once the flue is in the roofspace, then it can go via a steel flue to a ridge terminal

The fire may need a room air inlet vent depending on the type

CORGI guy may to do the flue and terminal too, not just the gas supply

This work will require a building regs application

 

[energy]

Thanks,
thats what I had hoped. Just build it.
It's a concrete floor.

Do I actually need a chimney (flue blocks/liner etc) to let out any gases?

I already put in place air vent to outside (to draw air in).

Cheers

 

[^woody^]

Yes you need flue - which is not necessarily a chimney