Help with Ash Trap.

[Jerskine]

I have a old Mayson fireplace I’m trying to restore and it has an ash trap door at the base of the fireplace.

I recently opened it and despite the ash trap being very full, I’m concerned about the over all safety of the fireplace.

Shining a light down the trap it looks like it’s lined with a thin wooden liner and the roof of the ash trap seems to also be wood.

I’m wondering if this was just temporary and used in the original construction of the ash trap, or if this is a disaster waiting to happen.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Photos below

 

[begreen]

The door looks to be metal, at least I hope so. Is there at least 8" of masonry before the wood?
@bholler would know more about the requirements.

 

[bholler]

By code all of the wood underneath needs to be removed. There can be no combustible material in contact with the bottom of the hearth slab

 

[Jerskine]

Hmm ok thanks the wood in the initial ash shoot looks easy to remove. However the wood under the slab a little more problematic.

Is there a best practice in discontinuing use of the ash trap?

Was thinking of putting firebrick down on the bottom of the firebox and parging over the trap. Thoughts?