Abstract: A ceramic burner plaque is described being of a predetermined thickness defined between first and second planar surfaces and through which a plurality of burner ports (6) pass from one surface to the other. The ports are arranged in offset rows and a plurality of polygonal channels (10) are cut into the second surface (8) of the plaque, said channels also being arranged in offset fashion rows and being of a depth less than the thickness of the plaque. The channels are ideally octogonal in shape and of a width which widens progressively from the narrow base of the channel within the thickness of the plaque towards the second surface. The width of the channels at their base is ideally similar or marginally greater to the dimensions of the burner ports and the shape and position of the channels is such that a plurality of burner ports are coincidental with the base thereof.

Abstract: A burner manifold for one or a series of burners including a first chamber having at least one outlet leading to said one or more burners and gas supply means arranged to introduce gas to mix with the air. Air is introduced into the first chamber from a second chamber, which is supplied with air under pressure via an inlet and the first and second chambers are arranged to be in fluid communication via a plurality of apertures.