Expert: James Ball - 12/27/2011

Question
Is it ok to cover the air intake and hot air vents from a Heatform fireplace? Would the air trapped inside that space have another way of venting when it gets hot? We are redoing the facade of the fireplace, and would like to cover the air intake and hot air vents with concrete board. At least we would like to put a metal plate in front of the hot air vent. Would this cause a problem? Thanks.

Answer
Hello Alfonso, no I would not cover the vents, top or bottom with any thing but metal vents (the trapped air could cause a fire), if you want to remove them, you would have to have a mason come in and re build the entire fire box (filling in those air channels), new damper area and shelf.
If just "covered up" even with cement board it could cause a fire, sorry
Happy Holidays
James