Modular masonry heating system

A modular masonry heating system for providing heat to a space comprising:

• a plurality of heat shell modules each having a substantially uniform size and shape precast from refractory material and having means for engaging an adjoining heat shell module so as to form a self-supporting heat shell without said adjoining heat shell modules being secured together by a bonding material, said heat shell comprising an enclosing wall supported on a supporting surface and a cover supported on said enclosing wall to form a flue chamber;
• a firebox supported within said flue chamber independently of said heat shell and in spaced relation to at least a portion of said heat shell, said firebox including an enclosure forming a fire chamber for burning a combustible fuel, foundation means for supporting said fire chamber enclosure on said supporting surface and riser means for conveying products of combustion from said fire chamber to said flue chamber so as to heat an exterior surface of said heat shell, said firebox and said heat shell each being freestanding independently of the other;
• means for introducing a combustible fuel and combustion air into said fire chamber;
• and,
• means for exhausting said combustion products from said flue chamber;
• each of said wall modules having an elongated body of substantially rectangular cross-section and joint means at each end of said elongated body for forming a joint with another of said wall modules when two of said wall modules are in abutting relation such that said joint has substantially the same rectangular cross-section as said elongated body, and said joint means comprising a tongue projecting from each end of said elongated body and arranged to rest on a corresponding tongue of another of said wall modules when two of said wall modules are in either longitudinal or perpendicular end-to-end abutment with one module inverted relative to the other.