Desa VF-24N-PDG, VF-24P-PDG, VF-18NPDG, VF-18N-BTB User Manual

UNVENTED (VENT-FREE) GAS LOG HEAT ER

OWNER’S OP ER A TION AND IN STAL LA TION MANUAL

For more information, visit www.desatech.com

VF-24N-PDG, VF-24P-PDG,

VF-18N-PDG, VF-18P-PDG

Design Dynamics Ventfree Mod els Also De sign-Cer ti fi ed As Vented Dec o ra tive Ap pli anc es

WARNING: If the information in this man u al
is not followed exactly, a fi re or explosion
may result caus ing prop er ty damage, per­ son al in ju ry, or loss of life.

— Do not store or use gasoline or other

fl ammable vapors and liq uids in the vicinity
of this or any other ap pli ance.

WARNING: Improper in stal la tion, ad just ­ment, al tera tion, service, or main te nance
can cause injury or prop er ty dam age. Re fer
to this man u al for cor rect in stal la tion and
op er a tion al pro ce dures. For as sis tance
or ad di tional in for ma tion con sult a quali­fi ed in stall er, ser vice agen cy, or the gas
sup plier.

VF-24N-BTB, VF-24P-BTB,

VF-18N-BTB, VF-18P-BTB

— WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS

• Do not try to light any appliance.

• Do not touch any electrical switch; do not
use any phone in your build ing.

• Immediately call your gas sup pli er from
a neigh bor’s phone. Follow the gas sup­ pli er’s in struc tions.

• If you cannot reach y our gas sup plier , call
the fi re de part ment.

— Installation and service must be per formed

by a qualifi ed installer, ser vice agen cy, or
the gas supplier.

WARNING: This appliance is for in stal ­la tion only in a solid-fuel burning masonry
or UL127 factory-built fi replace, or in an
ap proved ventless fi rebox. It is design­cer ti fi ed for these installations in ac cor ­dance with ANSI Z21.11.2. Exception: Do
not in stall this ap pli ance in a factory-built
fi re place that in cludes instructions stat ing
it has not been tested or should not be
used with unvented gas logs.

W ARNING: This is an unvented gas-fi red heat er. It uses air (o x y gen) from the room in which it
is installed. Pro vi sions for ad e quate com bus tion and ven ti la tion air must be pro vid ed. Refer
to Air for Com bus tion and Ven ti la tion sec tion on page 4 of this manual.

This appliance may be installed in an aftermarket,* manufactured (mobile) home, where not
pro hib it ed by local codes.

This appliance is only for use with the type of gas indicated on the rating plate. This ap pli ance
is not convertible for use with other gases.

Warning: This product must be installed by a Licensed Plumber or Gas Fitter when installed
within The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

* Aftermarket: Completion of sale, not for purpose of resale, from the manufacturer

Save this manual for future reference.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

SAFETY INFORMATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY INFORMATION..............................................................2

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION.......................................................3

OPTIONAL REMOTE CONTROL ACCESSORIES......................4

LOCAL CODES............................................................................4

UNPACKING.................................................................................4

PRODUCT FEATURES................................................................4

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION.............................4

INSTALLATION.............................................................................7

OPERATING HEATER................................................................14

INSPECTING BURNERS...........................................................17

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE .............................................18

SAFETY INFORMATION

TROUBLESHOOTING................................................................19

SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................22

WIRING DIAGRAM ...................................................................23

SERVICE HINTS........................................................................23

TECHNICAL SERVICE...............................................................23

REPLACEMENT PARTS............................................................23

ILLUSTRATED PARTS BREAKDOWN AND PARTS LIST.........25

ACCESSORIES..........................................................................27

WARRANTY INFORMATION ......................................Back Cover

WARNINGS

IMPORTANT: Read this owner’s manual carefully and
completely be fore trying to assemble, op er ate, or ser­ vice this heater. Im prop er use of this heater can cause
serious injury or death from burns, fi re, ex plo sion, elec­trical shock, and carbon monoxide poi son ing.

D ANGER: Carbon mono xide poisoning ma y lead

to death!

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Early signs of carbon monoxide

poi son ing re sem ble the fl u, with head aches, dizziness, or nausea.
If you have these signs, the heater may not be work ing properly.
Get fresh air at once! Have heater serviced. Some people are more
af fect ed by carbon monoxide than others. These include pregnant
women, peo ple with heart or lung disease or anemia, those under
the in fl u ence of alcohol, and those at high altitudes.

Natural and Propane/LP Gas: Natural and propane/LP gases are

odor less. An odor-making agent is add ed to the gas. The odor helps
you detect a gas leak. How ev er, the odor added to the gas can fade.
Gas may be present even though no odor exists.

Make certain you read and understand all warnings. Keep this
manual for reference. It is your guide to safe and proper operation
of this heater.

WARNING: Any change to this heater or its controls

can be dangerous.

WARNING: Do not use a blow er insert, heat ex­ chang er insert, or other accessory not ap proved for
use with this heater.

WARNING: Do not allow fans to blow directly
into the fi replace. Avoid any drafts that al ter burner
fl ame patterns. Ceiling fans can create drafts that
alter burner fl ame pat terns. Altered burner patterns
can cause sooting.

Due to high temperatures, the appliance should be
located out of traffi c and away from fur ni ture and
drap er ies.

Do not place clothing or other fl ammable material
on or near the appliance. Nev er place any objects
on the heater.

Heater base assembly be comes very hot when run­ ning heater . Keep chil dren and adults away from hot
surface to avoid burns or c lothing ignition. Heat er will
remain hot for a time after shut down. Allow surface
to cool be fore touching.

Carefully supervise young chil dren when they are
in the room with heater. When using the hand-held
remote accessory (Remote-Ready Models Only), keep
se lec tor switch in the OFF position to prevent chil dren
from turn ing on burners with remote.

You must operate this heat er with a fi re place screen
in place. Make sure fi re place screen is closed bef ore
run ning heater.

Keep the appliance area clear and free from com­ bus ti ble materials, gasoline, and other fl ammable
vapors and liquids.

For more information, visit www.desatech.com

111826-01

SAFETY INFORMATION

Continued

1. This appliance is only for use with the type of gas indicated on
the rating plate. This appliance is not convertible for use with
other gases.

2. Do not place propane/LP supply tank(s) inside any structure.
Lo cate propane/LP supply tank(s) outdoors (propane/LP units
only).

3. If you smell gas

• shut off gas supply

• do not try to light any appliance

• do not touch any elec tri cal switch; do not use any phone in

your build ing

• immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone.

Follow the gas supplier’s instructions

• if you cannot reach your gas sup plier, call the fi re de part -

ment

4. This heater shall not be installed in a bed room or bathroom,
unless installed as a vented appliance. See Installing Damp er
Clamp Accessory for Vented Op er a tion, page 10.

5. Before installing in a solid fuel burn ing fi replace, the chim­ney fl ue and fi re box must be cleaned of soot, creosote, ashes
and loose paint by a qualifi ed chimney cleaner. Creosote will
ig nite if highly heat ed. Inspect chimney fl ue for damage.
If damaged, repair fl ue damper before operating heater.

6. If fi replace has glass doors, never op er ate this heater with
glass doors closed. If you operate heater with doors closed,
heat buildup inside fi replace will cause glass to burst. Also if
fi re place open ing has vents at the bottom, you must open the
vents before op er at ing heater.

7. T o prevent the creation of soot, follo w the instructions in Clean-
ing and Main te nance, page 18.

8. Before using furniture polish, wax, car pet cleaner, or similar
products, turn heater off. If heated, the vapors from these prod­ ucts may create a white pow der residue within burner box or
on adjacent walls and furniture.

9. This heater needs fresh, outside air ven ti la tion to run properly.
This heater has an Oxygen Depletion Sensing (ODS) safe ty
shutoff sys tem. The ODS shuts down the heat er if enough fresh
air is not available. See Air for Com bus tion and Ven ti la tion,
pages 4 through 6. If heat er keeps shut ting off, see Trou ble -
shoot ing, pages 19 through 21.

10. Do not run heater

• where fl ammable liquids or vapors are used or stored

• under dusty conditions

11. Do not use this heater to cook food or burn paper or other ob­ jects.

12. Do not use heater if any part has been exposed to or under water .
Im me di ate ly call a qualifi ed service technician to in spect the
room heater and to replace any part of the control sys tem and
any gas control which has been under wa ter.

13. Do not operate heater if any log is bro ken. Do not operate heat er
if a log is chipped (dime-sized or larger).

SAFETY INFORMATION

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

3

3

14. Turn heater off and let cool before ser vic ing, installing, or
re pair ing. Make sure the selector switch is in the OFF position
(Remote-Ready Models Only). Only a qual i fi ed ser vice per son
should install, ser vice, or repair heater.

15. Make sure the se lec tor switch is in the OFF po si tion when you
are away from home for long periods of time (Remote-Ready
Mod els Only).

16. Remote-Ready heaters do not to be connected to any ex ter nal
elec tri cal source.

17. Operating heater abo ve elev ations of 4,500 feet may cause pi lot
outage.

18. To pre vent performance problems, do not use propane/LP fuel
tank of less than 100 lb. capacity (propane/LP units only).

19. Provide adequate clearances around air openings.

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Log Set

Lava Rock

Piezo
Ignitor

Log Set

Piezo
Ignitor

Remote
Control

Figure 1 - Product Identifi cation

Control Knobs

Chassis Assembly

Control Knobs

REMOTE CONTROLLED MODELS

REMOTE READY MODELS

Remote
Reciever

Chassis Assembly

Log Scraps

Lava Rock

Log Scraps

111826-01

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OPTIONAL REMOTE CONTROL ACCESSORIES

4

LOCAL CODES
UNPACKING
PRODUCT FEATURES
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

Providing Adequate V entilation

OPTIONAL REMOTE CONTROL
ACCESSORIES

There are four optional remote controls that can be purchased
separately for Remote-Ready Models Only:

• wall switch • hand-held ON/OFF remote

• wall thermostat • hand-held ther mo stat remote.
See Accessories, page 27.

The wall thermostat or hand-held ther mo stat may not be used where
vented dec o ra tive listing is required.

LOCAL CODES

Install and use heater with care. Follow all local codes. In the absence
of local codes, use the latest edition of The National Fuel Gas Code
ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54*.

*Available from:

American National Standards In sti tute, Inc.

1430 Broadway

New York, NY 10018

National Fire Protection Association, Inc.

Batterymarch Park

Quincy, MA 02269

Note: Where listed vented dec o ra tive logs are required, ther mo stat
op er a tion is not permitted.

UNPACKING

CA UTION: Do not remove the data plates from the
grate assembly. The data plates con tain im por tant
warranty and safety in for ma tion.

1. Remove log set as sem bly from carton. Note: Do not pick up

assembly by logs. This could dam age the unit. Alw ays handle
assembly by grate.

2. Remove control cover fl oor media components.

3. Remove all protective packaging ap plied to log set for ship­ment.

4. Check all items for any shipping dam age. If damaged, prompt ly
inform deal er where you bought heater.

PRODUCT FEATURES

OPERATION

This heater is clean burning. It requires no outside venting. There is
no heat loss out a vent or up a chimney. Heat is generated by both
realistic fl ames and glowing coals. This heater is designed for vent-free
op er a tion with fl ue damper closed. It has been tested and approved to
ANSI Z21.11.2 stan dard for unvented heaters. State and local codes
in some areas pro hib it the use of vent-free heaters. This heater may
also be op er at ed as a vented decorative (ANSI Z21.60) product by
opening the fl ue damper (Non-Thermostat Mod els Only).

SAFETY DEVICE

This heater has a pilot with an Oxygen Depletion Sensing (ODS)
safety shutoff sys tem. The ODS/pilot is a re quired fea ture for vent­free room heat ers. The ODS/pilot shuts off the heater if there is not
enough fresh air.

PIEZO IGNITION SYSTEM

This heater has a piezo ignitor. This system requires no matches,
batteries, or other sourc es to light heater.

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND
VENTILATION

WARNING: This heater shall not be installed in a
confi ned space or unusually tight con struc tion un­ less pro vi sions are pro vid ed for ad e quate com bus tion
and ven ti la tion air. Read the fol low ing in struc tions to
in sure prop er fresh air for this and other fuel-burning
ap pli anc es in your home.

Today’s homes are built more energy ef fi cient than ever. New ma te ri als,
increased in su la tion, and new construction methods help reduce heat
loss in homes. Home own ers weather strip and caulk around windows
and doors to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. During heating
months, home owners want their homes as airtight as pos si ble.

While it is good to make your home energy effi cient, your home
needs to breathe. Fresh air must enter your home. All fuel-b urning
appliances need fresh air for proper com bus tion and ven ti la tion.

Exhaust fans, fi replaces, clothes dryers, and fuel burning appliances
draw air from the house to operate. Y ou must provide ad e quate fresh
air for these ap pli anc es. This will insure proper venting of vented
fuel-burning appliances.

PROVIDING ADEQUATE VENTILATION

The following are excerpts from National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1/NFPA 54, Sec tion 5.3, Air for Combustion and Ven ti ­la tion.

All spaces in homes fall into one of the three following ventilation
classifi cations:

1. Unusually Tight Construction

2. Unconfi ned Space

3. Confi ned Space
The information on pages 4 through 6 will help you classify your

space and provide ad e quate ven ti la tion.

Unusually Tight Construction

The air that leaks around doors and win dows may provide enough
fresh air for combustion and ventilation. Howe ver, in buildings of un­usually tight construction, you must provide additional fresh air.

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111826-01

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

Providing Adequate V entilation (Cont.)

Determining Fresh-Air Flow for Heater Location

5

5

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND
VENTILATION

Continued

Unusually tight construction is de fi ned as construction
where:

a. walls and ceilings exposed to the outside at mo sphere

have a con tin u ous water vapor retarder with a rating
of one perm (6 x 10
open ings gasketed or sealed and

b. weather stripping has been add ed on openable win-

dows and doors and

c. caulking or sealants are applied to areas such as

joints around window and door frames, be tween sole
plates and fl oors, be tween wall-ceiling joints, be tween
wall panels, at pen e tra tions for plumb ing, electrical,
and gas lines, and at other openings.

If your home meets all of the three criteria above, y ou

must pro vide ad di tion al fresh air . See Ventilation Air
From Outdoors, page 6.

If your home does not meet all of the three criteria above,
proceed to De ter min ing Fresh-Air Flow For Heater Lo-
ca tion, below.

Confi ned and Unconfi ned Space

The National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 defi nes a
con fi ned space as a space whose volume is less than 50 cubic feet
per 1,000 Btu per hour (4.8 m3 per kw) of the ag gre gate input rating
of all ap pli anc es in stalled in that space and an un con fi ned space as
a space whose vol ume is not less than 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu
per hour (4.8 m3 per kw) of the ag gre gate input rating of all appli­ances in stalled in that space. Rooms com mu ni cat ing di rect ly with
the space in which the ap pli anc es are in stalled*, through openings
not fur nished with doors, are con sid ered a part of the unconfi ned
space.

* Adjoining rooms are communicating only if there are doorless
passageways or ven ti la tion grills between them.

DETERMINING FRESH-AIR FLOW FOR
HEATER LOCATION

Determining if You Have a Confi ned or Unconfi ned
Space

Use this work sheet to determine if you have a confi ned or un con fi ned
space.

Space: Includes the room in which you will install heater plus any ad­joining rooms with doorless passageways or ventilation grills between
the rooms.

1. Determine the volume of the space (length x width x height).
Length x Width x Height =____________cu. ft. (vol ume of space)
Example: Space size 20 ft. (length) x 16 ft. (width) x 8 ft. (ceil ing

height) = 2560 cu. ft. (vol ume of space)

-11

kg per pa-sec-m2) or less with

If additional ventilation to adjoining room is supplied with grills or open-

ings, add the volume of these rooms to the total vol ume of the space.

2. Multiply the space volume by 20 to determine the maximum Btu/Hr
the space can support.

____________(volume of space) x 20 = (Maximum Btu/Hr the space

can sup port)

Example: 2560 cu. ft. (volume of space) x 20 = 51,200 (max i mum

Btu/Hr the space can sup port)

3. Add the Btu/Hr of all fuel burning ap pli anc es in the space.

Vent-free heater _____________ Btu/Hr
Gas wa ter heater* _____________ Btu/Hr
Gas fur nace _____________ Btu/Hr
Vented gas heater _____________ Btu/Hr
Gas fi re place logs _____________ Btu/Hr
Other gas appliances* + _____________ Btu/Hr
Total = _____________ Btu/Hr
* Do not include direct-vent gas ap pli anc es. Direct-vent draws com-

bus tion air from the outdoors and vents to the outdoors.

Example:
Gas water heater _____________ Btu/Hr
Vent-free heater + _____________ Btu/Hr
Total = _____________ Btu/Hr

4. Compare the maximum Btu/Hr the space can support with the actual
amount of Btu/Hr used.

____________________Btu/Hr (maximum the space can sup port)
____________________Btu/Hr (actual amount of Btu/Hr used)
Example: 51,200 Btu/Hr (max i mum the space can support)
73,000 Btu/Hr (actual amount of Btu/Hr used)
The space in the above example is a con fi ned space because the actual

Btu/Hr used is more than the maximum Btu/Hr the space can sup port. You
must provide additional fresh air. Your op tions are as follows:

A. Rework worksheet, adding the space of an adjoining room. If the ex tra

space provides an unconfi ned space, remov e door to ad join ing room or
add ven ti la tion grills between rooms. See Ven ti la tion Air From Inside
Building, page 6.

B. V ent room directly to the outdoors. See Ventilation Air Fr om Out doors,

page 6.

C. Install a lower Btu/Hr heater, if lower Btu/Hr size makes room un con -

fi ned.

If the actual Btu/Hr used is less than the maximum Btu/Hr the space can sup­ port, the space is an unconfi ned space. You will need no additional fresh air
ven ti la tion.

40,000
33,000
73,000

WARNING: If the area in which the heater ma y be
operated is smaller than that defi ned as an un con fi ned
space or if the building is of unusually tight construc­tion, provide ad e quate com bus tion and ven ti la tion
air by one of the methods described in the National
Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 Sec tion 5.3 or
applicable local codes.

111826-01

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I

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

6

V entilation Air

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND
VENTILATION

Continued

VENTILATION AIR

Ventilation Air From Inside Building

This fresh air would come from an adjoining unconfi ned space. When
ventilating to an adjoining unconfi ned space, you must pro vide two
permanent open ings: one within 12" of the ceiling and one within
12" of the fl oor on the wall con nect ing the two spaces (see options
1 and 2, Figure 2). You can also remove door into adjoining room
(see op tion 3, Figure 2). Follow the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1/NFPA 54, Section 5.3, Air for Combustion and Ventilation
for required size of ventilation grills or ducts.

Ventilation Air From Outdoors

Provide extra fresh air by using ventilation grills or ducts. You
must provide two per ma nent open ings: one within 12" of the ceil­ing and one within 12" of the fl oor. Connect these items directly to
the outdoors or spaces open to the outdoors. These spaces include
attics and crawl spaces. Follow the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1/NFPA 54, Section 5.3, Air for Combustion and Ventilation
for required size of ven ti la tion grills or ducts.

IMPORTANT: Do not provide openings for inlet or outlet air into
attic if attic has a ther mo stat-controlled power vent. Heated air
entering the attic will activate the power vent.

12"

Ventilation

Grills

nto Adjoining

Room,

Option 1

Figure 2 - Ventilation Air from Inside Building

Outlet
Air

Or

Remove
Door into
Adjoining

Room,
Option

3

12"

Outlet
Air

Ventilation Grills

Into Adjoining Room,

Option 2

Ventilated
Attic

To Attic

To

Crawl

Inlet
Air

Inlet Air

Figure 3 - Ventilation Air from Outdoors

Ventilated

Crawl Space

Space

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111826-01

INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION

Check Gas Type

Installation and Clearances for Vent-Free Operation

7

7

NOTICE: This heater is in tend ed for use as sup ple ­men tal heat. Use this heater along with your pri ma ry
heat ing system. Do not in stall this heat er as your pri­ ma ry heat source. If you have a central heating system,
you may run sys tem’ s cir cu lat ing blower while us ing
heater. This will help cir cu late the heat throughout the
house. In the event of a pow er out age, you can use
this heat er as your pri ma ry heat source.

WARNING: A qualifi ed ser vice per son must in stall

heater. Fol low all lo cal codes.

NOTICE: State or local codes may only allow op er a tion
of this ap pli ance in a vented confi guration. Check
your state or local codes.

W ARNING: Make sure the selector switch is in the

OFF po si tion before installing heater .

WARNING: Before installing in a solid fuel burn­ ing fi replace, the chimney fl ue and fi rebox must be
cleaned of soot, creosote, ash es and loose paint by
a qual i fi ed chim ney cleaner. Creosote will ignite if
highly heated. A dirty chimney fl ue may create and
dis trib ute soot within the house. In spect chim ney fl ue
for damage. If damaged, repair fl ue damper before
operating heater.

WARNING: Seal an y fresh air vents or ash c lean­out doors lo cat ed on fl oor or wall of fi replace. If not,
drafting may cause pilot outage or sooting. Use a heat­resistant sealant. Do not seal chimney fl ue damp er.

WARNING: Never install the heater

• in a bedroom or bathroom un less installed as a

vented ap pli ance, see page 10

• in a recreational vehicle

• where curtains, furniture, cloth ing, or other fl am-

ma ble ob jects are less than 42 inches from the
front, top, or sides of the heater

• in high traffi c areas

• in windy or drafty areas

CAUTION: This heater cre ates warm air currents.

These currents move heat to wall sur fac es next to
heater. Installing heater next to vinyl or cloth wall cov­ er ings or operating heater where im pu ri ties (such as,
but not limited to, to bac co smoke, ar o mat ic can dles,
cleaning fl u ids, oil or kerosene lamps, etc.) in the air
exist, may dis col or walls or cause odors.

IMPORTANT: Vent-free heaters add mois ture to the air. Although
this is ben e fi cial, installing heater in rooms without enough ven ti ­la tion air may cause mildew to form from too much moisture. See
Air for Com bus tion and Ventilation, pages 4 through 6.

CHECK GAS TYPE

Use the correct gas type (natural or pro pane/LP) for your unit. If
your gas supply is not correct, do not install fi replace. Call dealer
where you bought fi replace for prop er type fi re place.

INSTALLATION AND CLEARANCES FOR
VENT-FREE OPERATION

WARNING: Maintain the min i mum clearances. If
you can, pro vide greater clear anc es from fl oor, ceil­ ing, and adjoining wall.

MINIMUM FIREPLACE

CLEARANCE TO

COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS

Log Size 18", 24"
Side Wall 16"
Ceiling 42"
Floor 5"

LOG SIZING REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Firebox Size

Log Front Rear*
Size Height Depth Width Width

18" 17" 14" 20" 15"
24" 17" 14" 26" 18"

111826-01

*Measured at 14" depth

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INSTALLATION

8

Installation and Clearances for Vent-Free Operation (Cont.)

INSTALLATION

Continued

Carefully follow the instructions below. This will ensure safe in­ stal la tion into a masonry, UL127-listed manufactured fi replace, or
list ed vent-free fi re box.

Minimum Clearances For Side Combustible
Material, Side Wall, and Ceiling

A. Clearances from the side of the fi re place cabinet to any com-

bus ti ble ma te ri al and wall should follow di a gram in Figure 4.

Example: The face of a mantel, book shelf, etc. is made of

com bus ti ble ma te ri al and protrudes 3 1/2" from the wall. This
com bus ti ble material must be 4" from the side of the fi replace
cabinet (see Fig ure 4).

Note: When installing your gas logs into a manufactured fi re-

box, follow fi re box manufacturer’s instructions for min i mum
clear anc es to combustible ma te ri als.

B. Clearances from the top of the fi re place opening to the ceiling

should not be less than 42 inches.

Example

*

*Minimum 16 inches from Side Wall

Figure 4 - Minimum Clearance for Combustible to Wall

NOTICE: Non thermostat controlled heaters maybe used
as a vented product. If so, you must always run heater with
chimney fl ue damper open. If running heater with damper
open, noncombustible material above fi replace opening
is not needed. Go to Installing Damper Clamp Accessory for
Vented Operataion, page 10.

noncom bus ti ble ma te ri al behind it. Noncombustible ma te ri al must
extend at least 8" up (for all mod els). If noncombustible ma te ri al
is less than 12", you must install the fi re place hood accessory (24"
and 30" Models Only). See Figure 5 for min i mum clear anc es.

If Using Mantel

You must have noncombustible material(s) above the fi replace
opening. Noncom bus ti ble materials (such as slate, marble, tile,
etc.) must be at least 1/2 inch thick. With sheet metal, you must
have noncom bus ti ble ma te ri al behind it. Noncombustible ma te ri al
must extend at least 8 inches up (for all models). If noncombus­tible ma te ri al is less than 12", you must install the fi re place hood
ac ces so ry (24" Models Only). Even if noncombustible material is
more than 12", you may need the hood accessory to defl ect heat
away from your mantel shelf. See Fig ure 5 and Figures 6 and 7,
page 9, for min i mum clear anc es.

IMPORTANT: If you cannot meet these minimum clearances, you
must operate heat er with chimney fl ue damper open. Go to In stall ing
Damper Clamp Accessory for Vented Op er a tion, page 10.

Noncombustible Requirements for
Material Distance (A) Safe Installation

12" or more Noncombustible material OK.
Between 8" and 12" 24" Models: Install fi re place hood

accessory (GA6050, GA6052, or
GA6053 see Ac ces so ries, page 36).

18" Model: Noncombustible mate-

rial OK.

Less than 8" Noncombustible material must be ex-

tended to at least 8". See Be tween 8"
and 12", above. If you cannot extend
material, you must operate heater
with fl ue damper open.

Heat Resistant
Material

(A)

Minimum Noncombustible Material Clearances

If Not Using Mantel

Note: If using a mantel proceed to If Using Mantel. If not using a
mantel, follow the in for ma tion on this page.

Y ou must have noncombustible material(s) abov e the fi replace open­ ing. Noncom bus ti ble materials (such as slate, marble, tile, etc.)
must be at least 1/2 inch thick. With sheet metal, you must have

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Figure 5 - Heat Resistant Material (Slate, Marble, Tile, etc.)
Above Fireplace

111826-01

INSTALLATION

Continued

MANTEL CLEARANCES

In addition to meeting noncom bus ti ble ma te ri al clearances, you must also
meet required clearances between fi replace open ing and mantel shelf. If
you do not meet the clear anc es listed below, you will need a hood.

Determining Minimum Mantel Clearance

If you meet min i mum clear ance be tween mantel shelf and top of
fi re place open ing, a hood is not required (see Figure 6).

Determining Minimum Mantel Clearance When
Using a Hood

If minimum clearances in Figure 6 are not met, you must have
a hood. When using a hood there are still certain min i mum
mantel clearances required. Fol low minimum clear anc es shown
in Fig ure 7 when using hood.

Minimum Non-

Combustible

Material

10"
8"
6"

1

/2

"

2

(A)

12"
8"

Minimum Non­Combustible
Material Height

18"
14"

INSTALLATION

Mantel Clearances

Floor Clearances

Mantel Shelf

20"

22"

17"

19"

Distances to
Underside of
Mantel

24"
20"

Underside of
Mantel Shelf

All minimum
distances are
in inches

Log Set

24" Models
18" Model

Top of Fireplace
Opening

9

9

NOTICE: Surface temperatures of ad ja cent walls and
mantels be come hot dur ing operation. Walls and man­tels above the fi rebox may become hot to the touch.
If installed properly, these tem per a tures meet the re­ quire ment of the national prod uct stan dard. Fol low all
minimum clear anc es shown in this manual.

NOTICE: If your installation does not meet the min­ i mum clear anc es shown, you must do one of the
fol low ing:

• operate the logs only with the fl ue damper open

• raise the mantel to an ac cept able height

• remove the mantel

FLOOR CLEARANCES

A. If installing appliance on the fl oor lev el, you must maintain the

min i mum dis tance of 14" to combustibles (see Fig ure 8).

B. If combustible materials are less than 14" to the fi replace, you

must install ap pli ance at least 5" above the com bus ti ble fl oor ing
(see Figure 9).

Figure 6 - Minimum Mantel Clearances Without Using Hood

Mantel Shelf

"

8"
Min.

12" 15"

Distances to
Underside of
Mantel

18"

Underside of
Mantel Shelf

20"

Top of Fireplace
Opening

All minimum
distances are
in inches

Log Set

18"-24" Models

Minimum Non­Combustible
Material

12"
10"

8"
6"

1

/2

2

Hood
(GA6050,GA6052,
or GA6052)

Figure 7 - Minimum Mantel Clearances When Using Hood

Combustible

14"
Min.

Material

Non-Combustible
Material

Hearth

5"
Min.

Combustible
Material

111826-01

Figure 8 - Minimum Fireplace
Clearances If Installed at Floor
Level

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Figure 9 - Minimum Fireplace
Clearances Above
Combustible Flooring

INSTALLATION

10

Installing Damper Clamp Accessory for Vented Operation
Installing Heater Assembly

INSTALLATION

Continued

INSTALLING HEATER ASSEMBLY

INSTALLING DAMPER CLAMP ACCESSORY
FOR VENTED OPERA TION

Note: When used as a vented decorati ve, ap pli ance must be installed
only in a solid-fuel burning fi replace with a working fl ue and con­structed of noncombustible material.

If your heater is a non-thermostatically-controlled mod el, you may
use this heater as a vented prod uct. There are three reasons for op er ­at ing your heater in the vented mode.

1. The fi replace does not meet the clear ance to com bus ti bles
re quire ments for vent-free operation.

2. State or local codes do not permit vent-free operation.

3. You prefer vented operation.

If reasons number 1 or 2 above apply to you, you must permanently
open chim ney fl ue damper. You must install the damper clamp ac­cessory (to order, see Accessories, page 27). This will insure vented
op er a tion (see Figure 10). The damper clamp will keep damper open.
Installation instructions are included with clamp accessory.

See chart below for minimum permanent fl ue opening you must
provide. Attach damp er clamp so the minimum permanent fl ue
opening will be main tained at all times.

Area of Various Standard

Round Flues

Diameter (ins.) Area (sq. ins.)

5" 20 sq. inches
6" 29 sq. inches
7" 39 sq. inches
8" 51 sq. inches

WARNING: If installing in a sunken fi re place,
special care is needed. You must raise the fi re place
fl oor to allow access to heat er control panel. This will
in sure ad e quate air fl ow and guard against soot ing.
Raise fi replace fl oor with noncom bus ti ble ma te ri al.
Make sure material is secure.

CAUTION: Do not pick up heat er as sem bly by
logs. This could damage unit. Only handle assembly
by grates.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the heater burn ers are level. If heater is
not level, heater will not work properly.

Installation Items Needed

• control cover kit (provided with heater)

• approved fl exible gas hose and fi ttings (pro vid ed with heater)
(if al lowed by lo cal codes)

• sealant (resistant to propane/LP gas, not pro vid ed)

Note: Install optional GHRCTA Receiver and Hand-Held Remote
Control Kit (see Ac ces so ries, page 27) before in stall ing gas log
heater (Remote-Ready Models Only). See installation in struc tions
in clud ed with the kit.

1. Apply pipe joint sealant lightly to male threads of gas fi tting

(not provided). Connect ap proved fl exible gas hose to inlet side
of gas con trol (see Figure 11).

2. Position heater assembly in fi re place.

3. Connect to gas supply. See Con nect ing To Gas Supply, (see

Figure 12, page 11).

Chimney Minimum Permanent
Height (ft.) Flue Opening (sq. ins.)

6' to 15' 39 sq. inches
15' to 30' 29 sq. inches

Damper Clamp

Damper

Masonry Fire place

Figure 10 - Attaching Damper Clamp

Manufactured Fire place

Damper

Flexible Gas
Hose (if allowed

Damper Clamp

Damper

Figure 11 - Attaching Flexible Gas Hose to Heater Gas
Regulator

by local codes)

For more information, visit www.desatech.com

Gas Control

111826-01