Empire Comfort Systems VFFB-42D, VFFB-36D User Manual

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

EMPIRE COMFORT SYSTEMS, INC.

UNIVERSAL FIREPLACE FOR ALL
VENT-FREE LOG SYSTEMS

MODELS:
VFFB-36D Non-Circulating - Black Hood
VFFB-42D Non-Circulating - Black Hood

Effective Date
April, 2001

NON-CIRCULATING
APPLIANCES CAN BE
CONVERTED TO USE
LOUVER OPTIONS
SEE PAGE 14

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.

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 building.

- Immediately call your gas supplier from a
neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s
instructions.

- If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call
the fire department.

FOR USE ONLY

WITH DECORATIVE TYPE

UNVENTED ROOM HEATERS

DO NOT BUILD A WOOD FIRE.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MODIFY OR ALTER THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE APPLIANCE OR ITS
COMPONENTS. ANY MODIFICATION OR
ALTERATION OF CONSTRUCTION MAY VOID
THE WARRANTY OF THESE UNITS.

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 APPLIANCE.

• A qualified installer, service agency or the
gas supplier must perform installation and
service of the Vent-Free gas log heater.

• Do not store or use gasoline or other
flammable vapors and liquids in the vicinity
of this or any other appliance.

WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment,
alteration, service or maintenance can cause
injury or property damage. Refer to this manual.
For assistance or additional information,
consult a qualified installer, service agency or
the gas supplier.

Carefully review the instructions supplied

with the decorative type unvented room heater

for the minimum fireplace size requirement.

DO NOT INSTALL THE APPLIANCE IN

THIS FIREBOX, UNLESS THIS FIREBOX

MEETS THE MINIMUM DIMENSIONS REQUIRED

FOR THE INST ALLA TION.

R-5010

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A

GENERAL INFORMATION 2

PAGE

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

A

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES 4
INSTALLATION OF FIREPLACE 4

INSTALLATION OF OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES 7

INSTALLATION OF YOUR VENT-FREE GAS LOG HEATER 10
MAINTENANCE 10

ACCESSORY PARTS 11
REPLACEMENT PARTS 12

GENERAL INFORMATION

The installation must conform with local codes or, in the absence of local codes, with the National Fuel Gas
Code, ANSI Z223.1 (latest edition) and to the National electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA70 (latest edition).
NOTE: 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 material, etc. It is imperative that control compartment,
burners and circulating air passageways of the appliance be kept clean.
Any safety screen or guard removed for servicing an appliance must be replaced prior to operating the
appliance. Provide adequate combustion and ventilation air.
The flow of combustion and ventilation air MUST NOT be obstructed.
Provide adequate clearance around air openings into the combustion chamber and adequate accessibility
clearance for servicing and proper operation. NEVER obstruct the front opening of the appliance.

INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS

This Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. fireplace and its components have been tested and will operate safely when installed in
accordance with this installation manual. Read all instructions before starting installation, then follow these instructions
carefully during installation to maximize fireplace benefit and safety. Report to your dealer any parts damaged in shipment.

The Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. warranty will be voided by, and Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. disclaims any
responsibility for the following actions:

- Installation of any damaged fireplace.

- Modification of the fireplace or any of the components parts thereof.

- Installation other than as instructed by Empire Comfort Systems, Inc.

- Installation and/or use of any component part or accessory not approved by Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. in
combination or assembly with a Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. fireplace, not withstanding any independent
testing laboratory or other third party approval of such component part or accessory.

Any such action may create a possible fire hazard.

Consult your local building codes.

Fireplace Screen.

The fireplace screen must be in place when the fireplace is operating.

R-50102

VFFB-36/42

FINISHED
WALL

8”

6” FROM
INSIDE EDGE
OF OPENING

FINISHED
WALL

42” MIN.

TOP VIEW

OUTER CASING

FIREBOX

FIRE BOX

16" ON 36
19" ON 42

STAND-OFF

MANTEL
TRIM

FLAT
MANTEL

3”

11” MIN. CLEARANCE

HOOD

SHELF

MANTEL
TRIM

5”

NON-COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIAL

5”

Fig. 1. Clearances to combustibles.

1. CLEARANCES.
Sidewall Clearances: The clearance from the inside of the fireplace to any combustible wall should not be less than 6”.
Fireplace Side and Back Clearances: The fireplace outer casing sides and back have zero clearance to combustibles.
Ceiling Clearances: The ceiling height should not be less than 42” from the top of the fireplace opening.
Mantel Clearances: Vent free fireplace models must use the hood supplied with the fireplace. If a combustible mantel is

installed, it must meet the clearance requirements detailed above.
Grate Clearance: The minimum clearance between the front legs of the grate and front edge of the fireplace is 2”.

R-5010

3

B

- Simulated Brick Panels

- Polished Brass Hood

- Extended Hoods

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES.

C

In planning the installation for the fireplace, it is necessary to determine where the unit is to be installed and whether
optional accessories are desired. Gas supply piping should also be planned at this time.

The fireplace can be mounted on any of these surfaces:

1. A flat hard combustible or non-combustible surface.

2. A raised platform of combustible or non-combustible material.

3. Four (4) corners of the fireplace so contact is made on all four perimeter edges on the bottom of the unit. (Example:

If the fireplace is installed directly on carpeting, tile or other combustible material other than wood flooring, it should be
installed on a metal or wood panel extending the full width and depth of the unit.

At this point, you should have decided what components to include in your installation, and where the fireplace is to be
located. If this has not been done, stop and consult your dealer for assistance with this planning.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Four (4) concrete masonry blocks.)

C-1. FIREPLACE FRAMING.

Fireplace framing can be built before or after the fireplace is set in place. Framing should be positioned to accommodate
wall covering and fireplace facing material. The fireplace framing should be constructed of 2 x 4 lumber or heavier. The
framing headers may rest on the top of the fireplace standoffs. Refer to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 for fireplace framing dimensions.

A

B

36 42

A 39-1/4" 41-1/4"

B 39-1/4" 45-1/4"

C 21-1/4" 24-1/4"

C

Fig. 2. Framing dimensions.

R-50104

E

L

E

F

K

M

D

STANDOFF

J

SYSTEM INTAKE

56 3/4"
56 3/4"
80 3/8"

42

45"
32"
24"
42"
24"
38"

41"

FRESH AIR

36

D

39"

27 3/4"

E
F

21"

36"

G
H

22"

I

36"

J

39"

49 3/4"

K
L

49 3/4"

M

70 1/4"

I

GAS LINE
OPENING

H

ELECTRICAL

G

CONNECTION
OPENING

GAS LIN
OPENING

Fig. 3. Fireplace dimensions.

C-2. LOCATING FIREPLACE.

Place fireplace in framing opening.
Using the four (4) nailing tabs provided on the fireplace, attach two (2) tabs on each side. Attach tabs through prepunched
holes. Additional hole locations will be used for different finishing material with thicknesses of 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4”. Attach
these materials with screws provided, two (2) per nailing tab.

Nailing tabs should fit directly against framing material. Use at least one (1) nail per tab to secure in place.

NAIL SIDE
THROUGH
FASTENING
TABS

Fig. 4. Fasten fireplace in place with tabs.

R-5010

NAIL SIDE
THROUGH
FASTENING
TABS

NAIL OR OTHER
SUITABLE
FASTENER

5