This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. This course will examine how the element of fire changed the trajectory of human evolution, society, and the nature of our built environments. Learners will look at safety technology that exists in the fireplace category to prevent building fires and protect end-users. The course will explore the physical and mental health benefits of gathering near a fireplace.


The course will discuss the environmental impact of carbon emitting hearth products on indoor and outdoor air quality and related EPA regulations. Content will include the latest innovations in the fireplace category related to aesthetics, performance, comfort-control, and occupant well-being. Key planning criteria and strategies to mitigate specifier liability will be reviewed.


Learning Objectives

  • Examine how the discovery of fire changed human biology, culture, and the nature of our homes and how this primal bond factors into the development of today’s hearth appliances.
  • Explore the physiological and psychological benefits of gathering near a hearth including effects on blood pressure, circadian rhythm, thermal comfort, relaxation, and how fireplaces foster human connection by creating designated gathering spaces.
  • Understand code-compliance and safety features of fireplaces including Safety Barriers, Automatic and Emergency Shut-Offs, Oxygen Depletion Sensors, Cool Wall/Cool Glass, and Intelligent Pilot Systems.
  • Review the environmental impact of wood-burning, gas fueled and electric fireplaces and understand how each effect indoor and outdoor air quality, which models can be used in Green Building programs, and the local and national policies related to usage by fuel type.

Pre-requisite: None.