A fireplace installer is a person who installs pre-fabricated fireplaces into dwellings. The actual structural component that houses the fireplace is typically not built by the fireplace installer. Once the builders have finished with the basic construction of the structural component of the system, the fireplace installer is responsible for setting the fireplace unit into the structure and attaching all related wiring and gas lines. Once the fireplace is properly positioned into the structure, the installer applies the mantle and any trim to finish the installation. Occasionally, the installer will be asked to install a fireplace into an existing room or building, and in this case, the installer may also build all of the supporting structure.
Unlike the fireplaces that were required to heat and cook meals within a building, the modern fireplace is commonly a fabricated unit that operates on natural gas or liquid propane (LP) gas. Manufactured of metal components, the fireplace is commonly installed within a wooden structure that is built to resemble a fireplace and chimney inside of a room. The unit is set into place by a fireplace installer who specializes in the installation procedure. The unit is wired to the electrical system of the building so that electric venting fans, blowers and ignition systems can be easily operated by the homeowner.
On some fireplace models, the units use a non-venting type of gas log. This requires no outside ventilation to be assembled and put into action by the fireplace installer. On other types of fireplaces, the fireplace installer is required to assemble a metal venting pipe or chimney that runs from the fireplace, up through a simulated chimney structure to the roof top of a building or home. The installer will commonly attach all gas lines to the fireplace and test the unit for gas leaks. The installer also will test the venting efficiency of the exhaust pipe by using smoke from a burning paper to check that the smoke is being drawn into and up the vent pipe.
Occasionally, the fireplace installer will be asked to install an actual wood-burning fireplace into a building. When this type of installation is performed, the installer is responsible for several additional safety measures. The installer must use fireproof caulking to seal all gaps in the fireplace structure as well as the chimney pipe. A damper must also be installed into the chimney pipe to allow the user to adjust the fire's burning rate.
