I would think this cleanout should at least have a metal door on it to stop ashes from falling out. My parents have one in their basement, however, it's not used anymore since they got a fireplace insert. I remember when my friends and I used to play ping-pong down there. The cleanout door was on the wall right beside it, and inevitably someone would open this door (what's in here?) and the ashes would go all over the floor.