Silly question re gas fires

[Ricardus]

Possibly a really silly question - with an inset gas fire, where does the heat come out?
Is there a vent at the top, the sides, the bottom or does the whole front radiate heat?
Do they get hot enough that I would need a fire guard to prevent burns to small children, curious kittens or half-cut computer geeks stumbling in after a works night out?

And do I need a hearth?

 

[OwainDIYer]

You need a fixed guard for any type of gas or solid fuel fire with small children about.

 

[joinerjohn]

Inset fires usually give off radiant heat. A kitten or child would have to be pretty stupid to go near enough (although small children may be very unsteady on their feet) were it on full. Half-cut computer geeks are another story all together. Best off buying a chocolate fireguard against these beasts.

 

[macfudd]

It depends on the inset fire,the good ones have radiant and convected heat,the cheaper ones often just have radiant heat.Some good ones can be almost 90% efficient.

Convected heat is expelled via a vent/slot near the top of the fire.
Radiant heat comes from the coals and any firebricks.

YES,in general they need a hearth,50mm thick with the top 12mm being of a non-combustible material.
You should check the manufacturers instructions for your specific fire,it will give you all relevant details in there.

Do they get hot enough that I would need a fire guard to prevent burns to small children, curious kittens or half-cut computer geeks stumbling in after a works night out?

It`s a fire ,of coarse it gets hot enough to burn things and people,whether you use a fireguard is a personnel choice.

If you`re still worried,get a gas safe engineer in,to examine/fit it and to further advise you.

 

[Ricardus]

It depends on the inset fire,the good ones have radiant and convected heat,the cheaper ones often just have radiant heat.Some good ones can be almost 90% efficient.

Convected heat is expelled via a vent/slot near the top of the fire.
Radiant heat comes from the coals and any firebricks.

YES,in general they need a hearth,50mm thick with the top 12mm being of a non-combustible material.

Thanks Macfudd. I think I'm going to shelve the idea of a gas fire for the immediate future.
Heat coming out the top is going to prevent me putting a TV on the wall above it and needing a hearth is going to take 12-15" out of what's already a narrow room.