Open fireplace for living quarters or the like

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An open fireplace for a living area has base and wall members which define a firebox, and a flue member. The wall members have an air guide system within them for collecting and heating fresh air. There is a fresh air inlet located outside the living area in which the fireplace is located a downdraft channel with an infeed higher than its outfeed an ascending channel connecting the fresh air inlet with the air infeed of the downdraft channel and an updraft channel. The downdraft channel and the updraft channel are subject to heat transfer from the firebox. The updraft channel opens into the living area to be heated.