{{unreferenced, date=April 2013 Commercially, a smoke flap can take the form of a metal, tin, or other

alloy An alloy is a mixture of chemical elements of which in most cases at least one is a metal, metallic element, although it is also sometimes used for mixtures of elements; herein only metallic alloys are described. Metallic alloys often have prop ...

and can be manipulatable by hand or lever, and appears in home chimneys, stoves or boilers. The more common use of a smoke flap is on the Native American

Plains Indian Plains Indians or Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies are the Native American tribes and First Nations peoples who have historically lived on the Interior Plains (the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies) of North ...

tipi A tipi or tepee ( ) is a conical lodge tent that is distinguished from other conical tents by the smoke flaps at the top of the structure, and historically made of animal hides or pelts or, in more recent generations, of canvas stretched on ...

Smoke flap vents

Smoke flap vents are designed to allow for adequate indoor heating especially where indoor fireplaces are present, as well as to regulate steam, smoke and heat pressure output in devices such as

chimneys A chimney is an architectural ventilation structure made of masonry, clay or metal that isolates hot toxic exhaust gases or smoke produced by a boiler, stove, furnace, incinerator, or fireplace from human living areas. Chimneys are typically ...

stoves A stove or range is a device that generates heat inside or on top of the device, for -Space heater, local heating or cooking. Stoves can be powered with many fuels, such as natural gas, electricity, gasoline, wood, and coal. Due to concerns ab ...

, or

boilers A boiler is a closed vessel in which fluid (generally water) is heated. The fluid does not necessarily boil. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications, including water heating, central ...

Tipi smoke flap vents

Smoke flap ventilation is used on tipi (teepee') housing of the Native America

Plains Indians Plains Indians or Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies are the Native American tribes and First Nations peoples who have historically lived on the Interior Plains (the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies) of North ...

by tradition, both historically and on modern ceremonial tipis. The tipi smoke flap vent is attached in a continuous piece to the cured hides that cover the exterior of the large teepee housing structure. In the summer months the vent may remain open to a view of the night sky and to harmonize with the warm temperatures.

Opening and closing the tipi flap vent

The tipi flaps are hoisted by the firekeeper with two poles to open or close the vent. In the daylight hours a tipi owner would hoist the vent open for additional lighting and also at the commencement of a newly built fire.

External links

Tipi painting and construction
Traditional Native American dwellings