Empire Comfort Systems RH-50-5, RH-65-5 Installation Instructions And Owner's Manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

AND

OWNER'S MANUAL

VENTED
VISUAL FLAME
ROOM HEATER

MODELS
RH-50-5
RH-65-5

WARNING: If the information in this
manual is not followed exactly , a fir e
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
vicinity of this or any other appliance.

— WHA T T O 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 build­ing.

• 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

AUGUST, 2000

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.

R-1923 Page 1

Introduction

Always consult your local Building Department regarding regulations,
codes or ordinances which apply to the installation of a vented room
heater.

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 heater.

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

Warning:
Any change to this room heater or its controls can be dangerous.
Any safety screen or guard removed for servicing a room heater
must be replaced prior to operating the room heater.

General Information

This series is design certified in accordance with American National
Standard / CSA Standard Z21.86b-1998 and CSA 2.32b-M98 by the
American Gas Association and Canadian Gas Association,as a Vented
Room Heater 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.

Important

All correspondence should refer to complete Model No., Serial No. and
type of gas.

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

Installation on Rugs and Tile

If this appliance is to be installed directly on carpeting, tile, or other
combustible material, other than wood flooring, the appliance shall be
installed on a metal or wood panel extending the full width and depth of
the appliance.

The base referred to above does not mean the fire-proof base as used on
wood stoves. The protection is primarily for rugs that may be extremely
thick and light-color tile that can discolor.

Heater pad is available from Empire Comfort Systems, Inc., Part No. RH-

425.

Specifications

Models RH-50-5 RH-65-5
Input BTU/HR (KW/H) 50,000 (14.6) 65,000 (19)
Height 29
Width 34" (864mm) 34" (864mm)
Depth including diverter 23
Gas Inlet 1/2" (13mm) 1/2" (13mm)
Size Draft Diverter Collar 5 " (127mm) 5 " (127mm)
Floor to top of collar on verti­cal position of Draft Diverter 27
Floor to center of collar on hori­zontal position of Draft Diverter 22 9/16" (573mm) 22 9/16" (573mm)

Accessories

Blower Package FRB-3 FRB-3
Radiant Package RAD-8 RAD-8
Heater Pad RH-425 RH-425
Ceramic Log RHL-1 RHL-1

9/16" (751mm) 29 9/16" (751mm)

3/16" (589mm) 27 11/16" (704mm)

5/32" (690mm) 27 5/32" (690mm)

THIS IS A HEATING APPLIANCE

DO NOT OPERATE THIS APPLIANCE WITHOUT FRONT PANEL INSTALLED.

• Due to high temperatures, the room heater should be
located out of traffic and away from furniture and drap­eries.

• Children and adults should be alerted to the hazards of
high surface temperature 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 room heater.

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

• Due to high surface temperatures, keep children, clothing
and furniture away.

• Keep burner and control compartment clean.

• Installation and repair should be done by a QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSON. The room heater 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 material,

etc. It is imperative that control compartments, burners
and circulating air passageways of the room heater be
kept clean.

• DO NOT put anything around the heater that will ob­struct the flow of combustion and ventilation air. See
clearances.

• DO keep the appliance area clear and free from combus­tible material, gasoline and other flammable vapors and
liquids.

• DO examine venting system periodically. Clean and re­place damaged parts. Examinations should be made at the
start of the heating season and also in mid heating season
under average conditions.

• DO examine burners periodically. Clean and replace
damaged parts.

• 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.

Page 2 R-1923

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!

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 reading the
following information, you feel you still need more informa­tion, please contact your gas supplier.

• 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

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.
Odorants in LP-Gas also are subject to oxidation. This fading can

firefighters declare them to be safe.

• 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 re­enter 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.

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.

• 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

R-1923 Page 3

SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER

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

Qualified Installing Agency

Installation and replacement of gas piping, gas utilization equipment
or accessories and repair and servicing of equipment shall be
performed only by a qualified agency. The term "qualified agency"
means any individual, firm, corporation,or company which whether
in person or through a representative is engaged in and is responsible
for (a) the installation or replacement of gas piping or (b) the
connection, installation, repair or servicing of equipment, who is
experienced in such work, familiar with all precautions required and
has complied with all the requirements of the authority having
jurisdiction.

The installation must conform with local codes, or in the absence of
local codes, with the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1*/

Canadian Installation Code,CAN/CGA B149.

*Available from the American National Standards Institute, Inc., 11 West
42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10036.

Locating and Venting the Room Heater

Clearances: When facing the front of the room heater the minimum
clearances to combustible construction (material) are the following:

Left side 6 inches (152mm). Right side 6 inches (152mm).
Recommed 18 inches ((457mm) on left side for servicing.
Do not install in alcove or closet. No horizontal projection above
heater permitted within 55 inches (140cm).
Ceiling 55 inches (140cm). Draft hood to rear wall 2 inches (51mm).

Open in front to provide service, access, and clearance to construction.

Venting

1. Flue pipe must be as large as the flue collar on the draft diverter.

2. Maintain an upward slope of at least 1/4 inch (6mm) per foot of
horizontal run.

3. Run flue pipe as directly as possible with a minimum of elbows.

4. Flue pipe should extend through the wall of a chimney to be
flush with inner wall.

5. Flue pipe must be adequately supported by metal strips.

6. Single wall vent pipe may be attached directly to the draft hood
of the room heater when a clearance of 2 1/2 inches (64mm) is
maintained between the single wall vent pipe and the combustible
wall of the room in which the room heater is located. Use double
wall vent pipe for 1 inch (25mm) clearance to combustibles.

7. For flue pipe running through walls and roof, use B-1 [1 inch
(25mm) clearance to combustibles] vent pipe.

8. Chimneys should extend at least 2 feet (.6m) above the roof and
above any object or nearby building within 10 feet (3m).

9. Open tees should not be used in the flue pipe.

10. Appliance must not be connected to a chimney flue that is
servicing a separate solid-fuel burning appliance.

For proper venting, do not attach a 90° elbow directly to draft
diverter. If possible, attach 2 feet (.6m) of straight vent pipe before
an elbow is used. Use of 45° elbows is recommended.

Uninsulated single-wall metal pipe shall not be used outdoors in
cold climates for venting gas utilization equipment.

Ventilation and Combustion Air

Room heaters shall be installed in a location in which the facilities
for ventilation permit satisfactory combustion of gas and proper
venting under normal conditions. In buildings of conventional frame,
brick or stone construction without tight storm windows and doors,
infiltration is normally adequate to provide for combustion and draft
hood dilution.

Where appliances are installed in a confined space within a building,
the building being of unusually tight construction, air for combustion
and ventilation must be obtained directly from outdoors or from such
spaces that freely communicate with the outdoors. Under these
conditions, the confined space shall be provided with two permanent
openings, one near the top of the enclosure and one near the bottom;

each opening shall have a free area of not less than one square inch
(6.5cm2) per 1,000 BTU's (.3KW) of total input. The draft hood must
be in the same atmospheric pressure zone as the combustion air inlet
to the appliance.

Gas Supply

Check all local codes for requirements, especially for the size and
type of gas supply line required. On Natural gas lines less than 15'
(4.5m) long, use 1/2" (13mm) pipe; on longer runs, use 3/4" (19mm)
iron pipe or equal. On LP gas lines please consult LP gas supplier.

Installing a New Main Gas Cock

Each appliance should have its own manual gas cock.
A manual main gas cock should be located in the vicinity of the unit.

Where none exists, or where its size or location is not adequate,
contact your local authorized installer for installation or relocation.

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!

A gas valve and ground joint union should be installed in the gas line
upstream of the gas control to aid in servicing. It is required by the
National Fuel Gas Code that a drip line be installed near the gas inlet.
This should consist of a vertical length of pipe, tee connected into the
gas line, that is capped on the bottom in which condensation and
foreign particles may collect.

Method of Installing A Tee Fitting Sediment Trap

The use of the following gas connectors is recommended:
— ANS Z21.24 Appliance Connectors of Corrugated Metal Tubing

and Fittings

— ANS Z21.45 Assembled Flexible Appliance Connectors of Other

Than All-Metal Construction

The above connectors may be used if acceptable by the authority having
jurisdiction.

Pressure Testing of the Gas Supply System

1. To check the inlet pressure to the gas valve, a 1/8" (3mm) N.P.T.
plugged tapping, accessible for the test gauge connection, must be
placed immediately upstream of the gas supply connection to the
appliance.

2. 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).

Page 4 R-1923