Empire 7088, 3588, 5088 Owner's Manual

INSTALLER AND

SERVICEMAN'S MANUAL

FLOOR FURNACE

MODELS

3588-3
5088-3
7088-3

WARNING: If the information in
this manual is not followed exactly, a
fire or explosion may result causing
property damage, personal injury or
loss of life.

— Do not store or use gasoline or other

flammable vapors and liquids in the vi
cinity of this or any other appliance.

— 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.

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• 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 fire department.

— Installation and service must be per-

formed by a qualified installer, service
agency or the gas supplier.

EFFECTIVE DATE

APRIL, 2003

Installer: Please leave these instructions
with the consumer.

Consumer: Please retain these instructions
for future use.

WARNING: If not installed, operated
and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions, this prod­uct could expose you to substances in
fuel or from fuel combustion which can
cause death or serious illness.

12417-12416-2-0403

Page 1

Introduction

Always consult your local Building Department regarding regu
lations, codes or ordinances which apply to the installation of a
floor furnace.

Instructions to Installer

1. Installer must leave instruction manual with owner after
installation.

2. Installer must have owner fill out and mail warranty card
supplied with furnace.

3. Installer should show owner how to start and operate furnace
and thermostat.

Warning:
Any change to this furnace or its control can be dangerous.
This is a heating appliance and any panel, door or guard
removed for servicing an appliance must be replaced prior
to operating the appliance.

General Information

This series is design certified in accordance with American National
Standard Z21.86b-2002 by the Canadian Standards Association
as a gravity type Floor Furnace and must be installed according
to these instructions.

Any alteration of the original design, installed other than
as shown in these instructions or use with a type of gas not
shown on the rating plate is the responsibility of the person
and company making the change.

Qualified Installing Agency

The installation must conform with local codes, in the absence of
local codes, with the National Fuel Gas Code ANSI Z2231*

*Available from the American National Standards Institute, Inc. 11 West 42nd

St., New York, N.Y. 10018.

State of Massachusetts: The installation must be made by
a licensed plumber or gas fitter in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.

Important

All correspondence should refer to complete Model Number,
Serial Number and type of gas.

Notice: During initial firing of this furnace, its paint will bake
out and smoke will occur. To prevent triggering of smoke alarms,
ventilate the room in which the furnace is installed.

THIS IS A HEATING APPLIANCE

DO NOT OPERATE THIS APPLIANCE WITHOUT FLOOR REGISTER INSTALLED

Specifications

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Models 3588 5088 7088
Input BTU/HR 32,500 45,000 65,000

Dimensions

Register Length
&Width

34 3/4" x 22 3/4" 36 3/4" x 24 3/4" 36 3/4" x 32 3/4"
Casing Length
& Width 32" x 20" 34" x 22" 34" x 30"
Overall Length
Including Diverter 40" 43 1/2" 45 1/4"
Floor Opening,
Length & Width 32 5/16" x 20 5/16" 34 5/16" x 22 5/16"
34 5/16" x 30 5/16"
Height 23" 26" 27"

Minimum Clearance to Combustibles

Top Must Be Open and Clear of ALL OBJECTS and Covering
Each Side to
Nearest Wall 6" 6" 6"
Bottom of Unit for Air 6" 6" 6"
Draft Diverter and
Vent Connector 6" 6" 6"
Two Adjoining Sides
to Walls to Provide
a Walkway 18" 18" 18"

Gas Inlet

Iron pipe Size (N.P.T.) 1/2" 1/2" 1/2"
Inlet to Floor 18 1/2" 20 1/4" 20 1/4"

Venting

Floor to Top of
Diverter Shield 10 1/2" 12 3/4" 12 3/4"
Center of Flue
(Horizontal) to
Floor Covering 17 1/4" 18 3/4" 17 3/4"
Size of Flue Collar 4" Dia. 4" Dia. 5" Dia.

The flue pipe diameter must be as large as the flue collar on the
draft diverter and run as directly as possible to the chimney at
least 1/4" rise per foot of run properly supported by metal straps,
and enter the chimney so the end of the flue pipe is flush with the
inner wall of the chimney. Any flue pipe passing through walls
and roof must be "B" type vent. The chimney must extend at least
two feet above the roof and any object or building within 10 feet
of the chimney. The flue pipe must NOT have any open tees or
be connected to the chimney of an existing fireplace.

• Due to high temperatures the appliance should be located

out of traffic and away from furniture and draperies.

• Children and adults should be alerted to the hazards of
high surface temperatures and should stay away to avoid
burns or clothing ignition.

• Young children should be carefully supervised when they
are in the same room as the appliance.

• Clothing or other flammable material should not be
placed on or near the appliance.

• Any safety screen or guard removed for servicing an
appliance must be replaced prior to operating the
appliance.

• Installation and repair should be done by a QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSON. The appliance should be inspected
before use and at least annually by a qualified service
person. More frequent cleaning may be required due to
excessive lint from carpeting, bedding materials, etc. It

is imperative that control compartments, burners and
circulating air passageways of the appliance be kept
clean.

• DO NOT use this heater if any part has been under water.
Immediately call a qualified service technician to inspect
the heater and to replace any part of the control system
and any gas control which has been under water.

• Floor furnace must not be connected to a chimney flue
serving a separate solid fuel burning appliance.

• The draft hood shall be installed so as to be in the same
atmospheric pressure zone as the combustion air inlet
to the appliance.

• A burn hazard can occur in the use of the floor furnace
when the temperature control (limit) is in the manual
override position.

• Contact of bare skin with the hot air register may result
in burns when the floor furnace is in operation.

Page 2 12417-12416-2-0403

SAFETY INFORMATION FOR USERS OF LP-GAS

Propane (LP-Gas) is a flammable gas which can cause fires
and explosions. In its natural state, propane is odorless and
colorless. You may not know all the following safety precau­tions which can protect both you and your family from an
accident. Read them carefully now, then review them point

LP-GAS WARNING ODOR

If a gas leak happens, you should be able to smell the gas because of the odorant put in the LP-Gas.

That's your signal to go into immediate action!

• Do not operate electric switches, light matches, use your
phone. Do not do anything that could ignite the gas.

• Get everyone out of the building, vehicle, trailer, or area.
Do that IMMEDIATELY.

• Close all gas tank or cylinder supply valves.

• LP-Gas is heavier than air and may settle in low areas such
as basements. When you have reason to suspect a gas leak,
keep out of basements and other low areas. Stay out until
firefighters declare them to be safe.

NO ODOR DETECTED - ODOR FADE

Some people cannot smell well. Some people cannot smell
the odor of the chemical stench put into the gas. You must
find out if you can smell the odorant in propane. Smoking

can decrease your ability to smell. Being around an odor for
a time can affect your sensitivity or ability to detect that odor.
Sometimes other odors in the area mask the gas odor. People
may not smell the gas odor or their minds are on something
else. Thinking about smelling a gas odor can make it easier
to smell.

The odorant in LP-gas is colorless, and it can fade under
some circumstances. For example, if there is an underground

leak, the movement of the gas through soil can filter the odorant.

by point with the members of your household. Someday
when there may not be a minute to lose, everyone's safety
will depend on knowing exactly what to do. If, after read
ing the following information, you feel you still need more
information, please contact your gas supplier.

• Use your neighbor's phone and call a trained LP-Gas service
person and the fire department. Even though you may not
continue to smell gas, do not turn on the gas again. Do not
re-enter the building, vehicle, trailer, or area.

• Finally, let the service man and firefighters check for escaped
gas. Have them air out the area before you return. Properly
trained LP-Gas service people should repair the leak, then
check and relight the gas appliance for you.

Odorants in LP-Gas also are subject to oxidation. This fading
can occur if there is rust inside the storage tank or in iron gas
pipes.

The odorant in escaped gas can adsorb or absorb onto or into
walls, masonry and other materials and fabrics in a room. That
will take some of the odorant out of the gas, reducing its odor
intensity.

LP-Gas may stratify in a closed area, and the odor intensity
could vary at different levels. Since it is heavier than air, there
may be more odor at lower levels. Always be sensitive to the
slightest gas odor. If you detect any odor, treat it as a serious
leak. Immediately go into action as instructed earlier.

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SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Learn to recognize the odor of LP-gas. Your local LP-Gas
Dealer can give you a "Scratch and Sniff" pamphlet. Use it
to find out what the propane odor smells like. If you suspect
that your LP-Gas has a weak or abnormal odor, call your
LP-Gas Dealer.

• If you are not qualified, do not light pilot lights, perform
service, or make adjustments to appliances on the LP-Gas
system. If you are qualified, consciously think about the
odor of LP-Gas prior to and while lighting pilot lights or
performing service or making adjustments.

• Sometimes a basement or a closed-up house has a musty
smell that can cover up the LP-Gas odor. Do not try to light
pilot lights, perform service, or make adjustments in an area
where the conditions are such that you may not detect the
odor if there has been a leak of LP-Gas.

• Odor fade, due to oxidation by rust or adsorption on walls
of new cylinders and tanks, is possible. Therefore, people
should be particularly alert and careful when new tanks or
cylinders are placed in service. Odor fade can occur in new
tanks, or reinstalled old tanks, if they are filled and allowed

12417-12416-2-0403

to set too long before refilling. Cylinders and tanks which
have been out of service for a time may develop internal rust
which will cause odor fade. If such conditions are suspected
to exist, a periodic sniff test of the gas is advisable. If you

have any question about the gas odor, call your LP-gas
dealer.
measure under any condition.

• If, at any time, you do not smell the LP-Gas odorant and you
think you should, assume you have a leak. Then take the
same immediate action recommended above for the occasion
when you do detect the odorized LP-Gas.

• If you experience a complete "gas out," (the container is un
der no vapor pressure), turn the tank valve off immediately.
If the container valve is left on, the container may draw in
some air through openings such as pilot light orifices. If this
occurs, some new internal rusting could occur. If the valve is
left open, then treat the container as a new tank. Always be
sure your container is under vapor pressure by turning it off
at the container before it goes completely empty or having
it refilled before it is completely empty.

A periodic sniff test of the LP-gas is a good safety

Page 3

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INSTALLATION PLANNING

Plan the furnace installation with three questions in mind:

1. Where is the heat most needed in the house?

2. Where should the furnace be so that it will vent properly?

3. Where should it be placed so that it is not in home traffic
areas or walkways?

Remember! Good Venting is essential to Good Heating.

VENTING

The installer must consider all of the following venting rules. They
will help plan where and how to install the furnace.

1. Flue pipe MUST always have an upward slope (1/4 inch per
foot minimum) (see 1).

3

NOTE

Do not use Type C single wall flue pipe.

Uninsulated single-wall metal pipe shall not be used out-

doors in cold climates for venting gas utilization equip­ment.

4. For flue pipe running through walls, roof and within one (1)
inch of combustible construction, use B-1 (one inch clearance
to combustibles) vent pipe (see 4). Any combustible mate­rial that is within 6 inches of the vent connection or the draft
diverter must be shielded with a non-combustible material.

1

2. Flue pipe MUST NOT have any downward sloping sections,
dips or sags (see 2 and 3).

3. Flue pipe MUST be Type B (double wall insulated).

2

4

5. Flue pipe MUST run as directly as possible and have as few
elbows as possible.

6. Flue pipe MUST be as large as the flue collar on the draft
diverter (see 5).

7. The flue pipe MUST be on the outside of the draft diverter
collar (see 6).

8. Each new piece of flue pipe that is connected when getting
farther away from the furnace MUST connect on the outside
of the previous one (see 6). Remember, the exhaust must
flow "into" the next pipe.

9. The flue pipe MUST NOT be connected to a chimney that
has a fireplace connected to it (see 3).

Page 4 12417-12416-2-0403

5

10. When connecting the flue pipe to the chimney, the pipe MUST
go fully in and be cemented (see 7). The flue pipe MUST
NOT go too far into the chimney. It should be cut off as it
will interfere with normal venting (see 7).

11. The flue pipe MUST be sealed. No open "Tees" (see 5).

Here are some suggestions.

1. If you have a choice, select a location close to the chimney.

2. If there is no chimney, you will have to run a flue pipe from
the furnace, up to and above the house roof (see 1). Select
a location permitting the most direct run. Try going up to
the roof through a closet. Remember that the flue pipe must
slope upwards at least 1/4 of an inch for each foot and you
may find floor joints in our path, so it is important to plan the
run carefully (see 8).

6

12. The flue pipe's vertical rise MUST always be at least twice
the length of the horizontal run.

8

3. If you have decided to go up to the roof through a closet (see

9), remember that you MUST keep a minimum distance of 1

7

12417-12416-2-0403

9

Page 5

inch between Type B vent pipe and any combustible material.
Run it through a single wall pipe that is 2 inches larger in
diameter than the flue pipe. Use thimbles when going through
floor and ceiling and flashing when going through roof.

4. Position the furnace so that the long sides are running the
same way as the floor joists (see 10), so that you will only
have to cut one joist. Be sure you install headers or cross
supports between each joist next to the one you cut (see 10). If
the furnace is narrow, you will have to also run an additional
furnace support between the two headers or cross supports
you add (see 10). There is a "Cutout Template" in the box the
furnace came in. It is the exact size for the opening needed
in the floor to fit the furnace. Use the cardboard template
when preparing and cutting the floor but always double check
the dimensions (see Table on next page). HINT: When you
cut the joist, don't forget to allow for the thickness of the
two headers you will install. Each one is about 1 1/2 inches
thick. Since you will be using two of them, that is a total of
3 inches.

5. If the house has a sealed or unventilated foundation, an open­ing will have to be provided to admit air for burning at the
burner. The opening or vent MUST BE at least 1 square inch
per thousand BTUs. (The owner will also have to provide
a gate or door as an entrance to the crawl space so that the
serviceman can get to the bottom of the furnace for making
any necessary adjustments.) The furnace must have at least
6 inches clearance at the bottom.

6. If you have a completely open foundation strong winds will
cause your burner to flutter, make noise and cause the pilot
to go out. The best setting for a furnace is an enclosed but
ventilated foundation with an access door or gate.

CUTTING THE FLOOR

HERE'S HOW TO DO IT

1. Place the template on the floor where you want the furnace
and draw an outline on the floor around the template. Recheck
the dimensions carefully.

2. Remove the template and drive a long nail through the floor
within the outline. If you hit a joist instead of going through,
try another spot within the outline.

3. Go below and find where the nail came through, so you will
know where the furnace will be located downstairs.

4. If the furnace location does not have to be exact, plan on
placing the furnace against one of the joists (see 10).

5. Cut out some of the floor along the joist so that you can look
through and see where you are. Use that joist and cutout
as a guide by laying the template along it, and draw a new
outline.

6. Cut away the flooring around the outline but do not cut the
joist yet. Remember that the joist has to be cut back farther
than the flooring to make room for the headers (see 10).

7. Place jacks or supports under the joist that is to be cut. This
will prevent the joist sagging and pinching the saw when you
are cutting.

8. Move any heavy furniture, or appliance (refrigerator) away
from the area where the joist is being cut. If not properly sup­ported, the floor could sag and furniture could fall on you.

9. Cut through the joist at each end and remove. Put the header
in place (see 10) and jack it up against the floor. Make sure
it is butted up against the end of the joist you have just cut.
Use the template to make sure the header is square to the two
joists on each side of it.

10. Drive three large nails through each of the joists and into each
end of the header. Now drive three large nails through the
header and into the end of the joist just cut. Install the other
header in the same way (see 10).

11. Use the template to position the additional furnace support
(see 10) and then nail the support in place by driving three
nails into each end of it, through the headers.

12. Remove the jacks and supports.

13. Make sure the furnace is facing the way you want it with draft
diverter closet to the vent pipe chimney. Then, with someone
helping you, slowly lower it into the opening.

14. Drive two nails through each side and at least one nail through
each end of the furnace from the inside into each joist and
header that surrounds it.

Page 6 12417-12416-2-0403

*Dotted lines show the gas valve and flue collar for Model No. 3588 only. (Same side)

11

3588 only

Register width

Model No. A B C D E F G H I

3588 22 3/4 34 3/4 20 32 24 15 1/4 10 1/2 18 1/2 4 D.

5088 24 3/4 36 3/4 22 34 26 16 3/4 12 3/4 20 1/4 4 D.

7088 32

Floor joists are on 16-inch centers. If you cut away one joist, the
next two are then on 32-inch centers. Because of the thickness
of the joists, that means there is about 30 1/2 inches of space
between them—just enough for the biggest floor furnace, Model

12417-12416-2-0403

3/4 36 3/4 30 34 27 15 1/4 12 3/4 20 1/4 5 D.

Register length

Casing width

Casing length

Overall height

7088, which is 30 inches wide. The smaller furnaces will need an
additional support along the one side (see 10), or on both sides
if you are centering the furnace between two joists because loca­tion is critical. If the location is not critical, it is easier for you to
put the furnace against a joist and then fill in with one additional
support.

Floor to Flue C.

Floor to shield

Floor to gas inlet

Flue C. size

Page 7

INSTALLING DRAFT DIVERTER

The draft diverter mounts on the exhaust end of the furnace with
four #10 x 1/2" sheet metal screws. The holes are already drilled
in the furnace and the screws are supplied with the furnace. Make
sure collars of the diverter go outside the collars on the furnace.

When the diverter is tightened against the furnace, its collars
should be embedded into the gasket in the recesses.

12

After the installation of the diverter as shown, do not install walls
or partitions that would place the diverter in a different pressure
zone than the combustion air for the main burner.

DEBRIS PAN

A flat rectangular burner pan (debris pan) is attached to the burner.
This pan is designed to catch hot particles that might drop from the
combustion chamber. SEE LABEL ON SIDE OF FURNACE.

at least 1/2 inch pipe to avoid excessive pressure drop; check lo
cal codes. Install the piping in accordance with the requirements
described in Installation Planning.

Compounds used on threaded joints of gas piping shall be resistant
to the action of liquefied petroleum gases. The gas lines must be
checked for leaks by the installer. This should be done with a soap
solution watching for bubbles on all exposed connections and,
if unexposed, a pressure test should be made. NEVER USE AN
EXPOSED FLAME TO CHECK FOR LEAKS. Appliance must
be disconnected from piping at inlet of control valve, and pipe
capped or plugged for pressure test. NEVER PRESSURE TEST
WITH APPLIANCE CONNECTED; CONTROL VALVE WILL
SUSTAIN DAMAGE.

TESTING THE SUPPLY PIPING

The appliance and its individual shutoff valve must be disconnected
from the gas supply piping system during any pressure testing of
that system at test pressures in excess of 1/2 psig (3.5kPa).

The appliance must isolated from the gas supply piping system by
closing its individual manual shut off valve during any pressure
testing of the gas supply piping system at test pressures equal to
or less than 1/2 psig (3.5 kPa).

ATTENTION! If one of the above procedures results in pressures
in excess of 1/2 psig (14 in. w.c.) (3.5 kPa) on the appliance gas
valve, it will result in a hazardous condition.

WALL THERMOSTAT

No wire is supplied with the thermostat because the wire size
depends on low long the wire has to be.

FOR DISTANCE OF— 10' 30'

USE WIRE SIZE — 18-2 16-2

Thermostat is mounted to the wall with two screws that are sup
plied. Mount the thermostat about 4 to 5 feet up from the floor,
in the room heated by the furnace, and exposed to normal free
air circulation.

Connect thermostat to gas valve terminals as shown in 14.

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13

Method of Installing a Tee Fitting Sediment Trap

In the state of Massachusetts the gas cock must be a T handle
type.

To check the inlet pressure to the gas valve, a 1/8" N.P.T. plugged
tapping, accessible for test gauge connection must be placed imme
diately upstream of the gas supply connection to the appliance.

GAS CONNECTIONS

1. A manual valve and ground-joint type union should be installed
close to the furnace for servicing.

2. A "drip" shall be put in the gas line to collect condensate or
dirt. This can be a "tee" fitting near the furnace inlet with an
extension downward that is capped.

3. Use a large enough pipe to prevent excessive pressure drop.
The pipe should be at least the size of the opening on the
furnace inlet.

The state of Massachusetts requires that a flexible appliance con
nector cannot exceed three feet in length.

The gas inlet to the furnace is 1/2 inch nominal pipe thread. Use

Page 8 12417-12416-2-0403

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