If it’s conducting a lot of heat and a kid sits on it they could get hurt. But I think most of a fireplace’s heat travels upward in the rising gases. IANASOE
Wood stoves have something called a baffle plate that redirects hot air so that it flows along the interior top of the unit before leaving through the chimney. The purpose is to heat the metal enough for radiation tranferrance. I often put a ceramic-coated cast iron kettle on top, and it will boil if left for a while. Anyone who sits on the stove would have a very bad time.
Built in fireplaces work differently but aren’t typically sit-onable.
If it’s conducting a lot of heat and a kid sits on it they could get hurt. But I think most of a fireplace’s heat travels upward in the rising gases. IANASOE
(I am not a scientist or engineer)
Wood stoves have something called a baffle plate that redirects hot air so that it flows along the interior top of the unit before leaving through the chimney. The purpose is to heat the metal enough for radiation tranferrance. I often put a ceramic-coated cast iron kettle on top, and it will boil if left for a while. Anyone who sits on the stove would have a very bad time.
Built in fireplaces work differently but aren’t typically sit-onable.