Fireplace Ash pan

[Don55]

Hi

I removed an electric fire, wooden hearth and surround, and behind it was the original open fireplace. The ash pan was filled with dirt and the surrounding area was just loose sand, the pan isn't vented at all.

I'm intending to put plasterboard over the original fireplace, but am wondering what to do with the below floor level ash pan area.

The damp proof membrane ends each side of the grate, and is at the concrete level.

Thanks.

 

[Madrab]

If it no longer needed and will never be needed ever again then I'd look to fill it with a loose concrete slurry, then a piece of DPM and then top it off.

 

[Don55]

Thanks. I'm not familiar with loose concrete slurry, what's the mix please? Would you fill the entire ash pan with the same? I have some ballast I could mix up for the pan section, or is this unsuitable?

 

[denso13]

what's the mix please?

1 part cement to 6 parts ballast would be fine. You could fill the ash pan with some bricks/stone first, if it is deep, but the ballast mix will do as well.