These dampers are open by lifting the handle up pushing the damper upwards and pinning the damper in the upward position by setting one of the notches on the handle onto the mounted ratchet on the frame of the fireplace.
Fireplace damper handle which way is open.
A flue damper should be opened all of the way when opening a stove door to add further fuel to the fire to help prevent any smoke from pouring out of the stove and into the room.
You should turn the knob clockwise as far as it can go or push the rod all the way up to open the damper.
To close it you simply lift the handle up again pull the damper shut and set the handle back into position on the ratchet.
Orient yourself with the damper handle on the outside of your flue pipe or the exterior of your stove.
A fireplace damper should always be open all of the way when starting a fire and usually always open throughout the length of the fire.
Modern fireplaces often have a handle installed above or inside the opening.
The method of opening and closing the flue depends on the type of fireplace and how it was constructed and installed in the room.
If the chain is tightly attached to a hook the damper is closed.
If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace it means that your chimney has a top mounted damper.
Worse yet if you have a gas fireplace burned gas can escape the fireplace and create the conditions for carbon monoxide poisoning.
If your fireplace has a knob you ll twist the knob to open the damper.
Move the lever to open or close the damper.
This type lets you adjust how far open the damper is.
A handle beside or just inside the fireplace operates the damper.
Some handles push in and pull out others turn clockwise or counter clockwise and some slide.
You turn the handle to a vertical position to open the flue damper and back to a horizontal position to close it.