pening up fireplace - advice needed

[bjs1107]

Hi
I'm in the process of opening up the fireplace hole in the chimney breast and have discovered an old concrete (i assume) fireback in there.
I've got a cast iron arch that I'll be putting in and this fireback is in the way. My question is, what is the fireback for? Do I need to keep it or can I just rip it out and chuck it?
We'll eventually be putting in a gas fire into the surround (later in the year).

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[stuart45]

The fireback should be made from fireclay and is used for an open fire to reflect the heat into the room in the same way as the Rumford fireplace design. Are you putting in a cast iron insert?

 

[bjs1107]

Yes the insert is similar to this one

http://www.brass-grilles-shop.co.uk/polished-cast-iron-arch-gas-fire-back-panel-818-p.asp

 

[stuart45]

You will need to knock out the fire back to fit it.