{{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 at least one is a metal. Unlike chemical compounds with metallic bases, an alloy will retain all the properties of a metal in the resulting material, such as electrical conductivity, ductility, ...

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 Nation band governments who have historically lived on the Interior Plains (the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies) of N ...

tipi A tipi , often called a lodge in English, is a conical tent, historically made of animal hides or pelts, and in more recent generations of canvas, stretched on a framework of wooden poles. The word is Siouan languages, Siouan, and in use in Dakot ...

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 typic ...

stoves A stove or range is a device that burns fuel or uses electricity to generate heat inside or on top of the apparatus, to be used for general warming or cooking. It has evolved highly over time, with cast-iron and induction versions being develope ...

, 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 h ...

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 Nation band governments who have historically lived on the Interior Plains (the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies) of N ...

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