On 30 Oct 2006 08:29:43 -0800, a particular chimpanzee named "Martin
Bonner" randomly hit the keyboard and
produced:

wrote:

OK, so I will open myself up to further abuse:
Why do we need a vent in the wall, as well as a chimney?

The chimney is to let smoke/fumes out. The vent is to let fresh air in
(so that smoke/fumes don't come into the room and poison you).

Strictly speaking, it's not. The fire would use all the oxygen in the
room and would then smoulder until such time as the emergency services
discovered the bodies of the occupants and the incoming oxygenated air
would restore the fire. There would have to be a blockage, a
downdraught, or the flue not drawing properly for the gases to come
back into the room. The air inlet is to allow enough replacement air
so that the occupants can breathe as well.
--
Hugo Nebula
"If no-one on the internet wants a piece of this,
just how far from the pack have you strayed?"