The smoke chamber is an integral part of the operation of a fireplace. Smoke chambers have many code requirements including clearances to combustibles, height and overall dimensions.
Typically, this is a seriously deficient area of a poorly constructed fireplace. According to the National Fire Protection Association, improper smoke chamber construction is the 3rd leading cause of home fires related to chimneys.
The smoke chamber is just beyond the damper. Most can be fully viewed with a strong light shining up from the firebox floor. Most homeowners have probably never seen their smoke chambers. These 2 examples of terrible smoke chambers are really not that far fetched. Both of these chambers were in fireplace in very affluent areas of new jersey and BOTH are SERIOUS hazards.
Take a look at your smoke chamber, be careful not to get sooty, but tell me what you see? Can you see bricks? If so, its not parged as per the code. Parging is a coating of fireclay or other approved mortar over the face of the brick. Do you see any gaps? Holes? How about brick and really white mortar joints? If you see any of this, have your fireplace inspected by a FIRE Certified fireplace and Chimney Inspector.
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