FMI VSGF28NTF, VSGF28PTF Operation And Installation Manual

UNVENTED (VENT-FREE) GAS FIREPLACE SYSTEM

PFS

US

OWNER’S OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUAL

®

THERMOSTATICALLY-CONTROLLED MODELS

VSGF28NTF AND VSGF28PTF

WARNING: If the information in this manual is not

followed exactly, a re or explosion may result causing
property damage, personal injury or loss of life.

— Do not store or use gasoline or other ammable

vapors and liquids in the vicinity 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 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 re
department.

— Installation and service must be performed by a quali-

ed installer, service agency or the gas supplier.

INSTALLER: Leave this manual with the appliance.

CONSUMER: Retain this manual for future reference.

For more information, visit www.fmiproducts.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Safety .................................................................. 2

Local Codes......................................................... 4

Product Identication ........................................... 5

Unpacking............................................................ 5

Product Features ................................................. 5

Air For Combustion and Ventilation ..................... 6

Installation ........................................................... 8

Operation ........................................................... 18

Inspecting Burners............................................. 20

Cleaning ............................................................ 21

SAFETY

Wiring Diagram .................................................. 22

Specications .................................................... 22

Replacement Parts ............................................ 22

Troubleshooting ................................................. 23

Technical Service............................................... 27

Service Hints ..................................................... 27

Accessories ....................................................... 27

Parts .................................................................. 28

Warranty ..............................................Back Cover

WARNING: Improper in-

stallation, adjustment, al­teration, service or main-

tenance can cause injury
or property damage. Refer

to this manual for correct

installation and operation­al procedures. For assis-

tance or additional infor-

mation consult a qualied
installer, service agency
or the gas supplier.

WARNING: This is an

unvented gas-red heat­er. It uses air (oxygen)

from the room in which

it is installed. Provisions
for adequate combustion

and ventilation air must

be provided. Refer to Air
for Combustion and Ven­tilation section on page 6

of this manual.

This appliance may be in-

stalled in an aftermarket*,

permanently located,
manufactured (mobile)
home, where not prohib­ited by local codes.

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.

*Aftermarket: Completion of sale, not for

purpose of resale, from the manufacturer

WARNING: This product

contains and/or generates

chemicals known to the state
of California to cause cancer or

birth defects or other reproduc­tive harm.

IMPORTANT: Read this owner’s
manual carefully and completely
before trying to assemble,
operate or service this heater.
Improper use of this heater can
cause serious injury or death
from burns, fire, explosion,
electrical shock and carbon
monoxide poisoning.

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119303-01G

SAFETY

Continued

DANGER: Carbon monoxide

poisoning may lead to death!

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Early signs

of carbon monoxide poisoning resemble the

u, with headaches, dizziness or nausea. If
you have these signs, the replace may not

be working properly. Get fresh air at once!

Have replace serviced. Some people are

more affected by carbon monoxide than oth-

ers. These include pregnant women, people
with heart or lung disease or anemia, those
under the inuence of alcohol and those at

high altitudes.
Natural and Propane/LP Gas: Natural and

propane/LP gases are odorless. An odor­making agent is added to the gas. The odor

helps you detect a gas leak. However, 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 replace.

WARNING: Any change to

this heater or its controls can

be dangerous.

WARNING: Do not use a blow­er insert, heat exchanger insert
or other accessory not approved
for use with this replace.

WARNING: Do not allow fans

to blow directly into the replace.
Avoid any drafts that alter burner
ame patterns. Ceiling fans can
create drafts that alter burner
ame patterns. Altered burner
patterns can cause sooting.

Due to high temperatures, the
appliance should be located out
of trafc and away from furniture
and draperies.

Do not place clothing or other
ammable material on or near
the appliance. Never place any
objects on the replace.

Fireplace front and screen be­come very hot when running re­place. Keep children and adults

away from hot surfaces to avoid

burns or clothing ignition. Fire­place will remain hot for a time
after shutdown. Allow surfaces
to cool before touching.

Carefully supervise young chil-

dren when they are in the room

with replace.

You must operate this replace
with the replace screen and
hood in place. Make sure re­place screen and hood are in
place before running replace.

Keep the appliance area clear
and free from combustible ma­terials, gasoline and other am­mable vapors and liquids.

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. Locate 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 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 re department

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3

SAFETY

Continued

4. This replace shall not be installed in a

bedroom or bathroom.

5. Do not use this replace as a wood-burn­ing replace. Use only the logs provided
with the replace.

6. Do not add extra logs or ornaments such

as pine cones, vermiculite or rock wool.

Using these added items can cause soot­ing. Do not add lava rock around base.
Rock and debris could fall into the control

area of replace.

7. This replace is designed to be smoke­less. If logs ever appear to smoke, turn
off replace and call a qualied service

person. Note: During initial operation,
slight smoking could occur due to log cur-

ing and replace burning manufacturing

residues.

8. To prevent the creation of soot, follow the
instructions in Cleaning, page 21.

9. Before using furniture polish, wax, carpet
cleaner or similar products, turn heater off. If
heated, the vapors from these products may

create a white powder residue within burner
box or on adjacent walls or furniture.

10. This replace needs fresh air ventilation to
run properly. This replace has an Oxygen

Depletion Sensing (ODS) safety shutoff
system. The ODS shuts down the re­place if enough fresh air is not available.
See Air for Combustion and Ventilation,

page 6. If replace keeps shutting off, see
Troubleshooting, page 23.

11. Do not run replace

• where ammable liquids or vapors are

used or stored

• under dusty conditions

12. Do not use this replace to cook food or

burn paper or other objects.

13. Do not use replace if any part has been

exposed to or under water. Immediately

call a qualied service technician to in­spect the replace and to replace any part

of the control system and any gas control
which has been under water.

14. Do not operate fireplace if any log is

broken. Do not operate replace if a log
is chipped (dime-sized or larger).

15. Turn fireplace off and let cool before

servicing. Only a qualied service person
should service and repair replace.

16. Operating replace above elevations of
4,500 feet could cause pilot outage.

17. To prevent performance problems in

propane/LP units, do not use propane/LP

fuel tanks of less than 100 lbs. capacity
(propane/LP units only).

18. Provide adequate clearances around air

openings.

LOCAL CODES

Install and use replace 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 Institute, Inc.

National Fire Protection Association, Inc.

Note: Where listed vented decorative logs
are required, thermostat operation is not
permitted.

4

1430 Broadway

New York, NY 10018

Batterymarch Park

Quincy, MA 02269

www.fmiproducts.com

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

Sellers of unvented propane or natural

gas-red supplemental room heaters shall

provide to each purchaser a copy of 527
CMR 30 upon sale of the unit.

Vent-free gas products are prohibited for
bedroom and bathroom installation in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

119303-01G

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Rear

Log Set

Base
Assembly

Figure 1 - Log Base Assembly

Front
Burner

Burner

UNPACKING

CAUTION: Do not remove the

data plates attached to the heater
base assembly. The data plates
contain important warranty and
safety information.

1. With utility knife, cut carton all the way

around above staples on bottom tray. Lift
carton off of heater. Remove packing.

Note: Hood is located in packing on right

hand side of heater front. Lift heater off
bottom tray.

PRODUCT FEATURES

OPERATION

This vent-free replace is clean burning. It
requires no outside venting. There is no heat

loss out a vent or up a chimney. Heat is gen-

erated by both realistic ames and glowing
embers. When used without the blower, the
replace requires no electricity making it ideal

for emergency backup heat.

SAFETY DEVICE

This replace has a pilot with an Oxygen

Depletion Sensing (ODS) safety shutoff

system. The ODS/pilot is a required feature

for vent-free room heaters. The ODS/pilot

system shuts off the replace if there is not

enough fresh air.

PIEZO IGNITION SYSTEM

This replace has a piezo ignitor. This sys­tem requires no matches, batteries or other
sources to light replace.

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Top Outer Casing

Top Louver
Assembly

Fireplace
Hood

Screen
Assembly

Bottom Louver
Assembly

Figure 2 - Fireplace

2. Locate two screws above top corners of

the replace screen. Remove and discard
these screws. Lift replace screen up and

pull out to remove.

3. Remove protective packaging applied to

logs, log base assembly, and replace.

4. Remove replace hood from carton insert.

5. Check all items for any shipping damage.

If damaged, promptly inform dealer where
you bought replace.

Blower Assembly

BLOWER ASSEMBLY

This replace has a blower assembly. The

blower operates thermostatically and has a
variable speed control. The blower circulates

heated air from the replace into the room.

Use of blower is optional.

THERMOSTAT CONTROL

This replace has a thermostat sensing bulb

and control valve. The thermostat controls the

heat output and ame height. This maintains

a consistent room temperature. Even the

lowest setting provides realistic ames and

glowing embers from two burners. Selecting

higher comfort settings allows replace to run
longer, producing greater heat output. At lower
comfort settings, the replace will run less.

This results in increased heating comfort. This
can also result in lower gas results.

5

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

WARNING: This heater shall

not be installed in a room or
space unless the required vol­ume of indoor combustion air
is provided by the method de­scribed in the National Fuel Gas

Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, the
International Fuel Gas Code, or

applicable local codes. Read the
following instructions to insure
proper fresh air for this and
other fuel-burning appliances
in your home.

Today’s homes are built more energy efcient
than ever. New materials, increased insulation

and new construction methods help reduce
heat loss in homes. Home owners 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 possible.
While it is good to make your home energy

efcient, your home needs to breathe. Fresh

air must enter your home. All fuel-burning ap­pliances need fresh air for proper combustion
and ventilation.

Exhaust fans, reboxes, clothes dryers and

fuel burning appliances draw air from the

house to operate. You must provide adequate

fresh air for these appliances. 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, Air for
Combustion and Ventilation.

All spaces in homes fall into one of the three

following ventilation classications:

1. Unusually Tight Construction

2. Unconned Space

3. Conned Space

The information on pages 6 through 9 will
help you classify your space and provide

adequate ventilation.

Unusually Tight Construction

The air that leaks around doors and windows
may provide enough fresh air for combustion

and ventilation. However, in buildings of un­usually tight construction, you must provide

additional fresh air.

Unusually tight construction is dened as

construction where:

a. walls and ceilings exposed to the out-

side atmosphere have a continuous
water vapor retarder with a rating of
one perm (6 x 10
less with openings gasketed or sealed

and

b. weather stripping has been added on

openable windows and doors and

c. caulking or sealants are applied to

areas such as joints around window
and door frames, between sole plates
and oors, between wall-ceiling joints,
between wall panels, at penetrations
for plumbing, electrical and gas lines
and at other openings.

If your home meets all of the three criteria

above, you must provide additional fresh
air. See Ventilation Air From Outdoors,
page 8.

If your home does not meet all of the three

criteria above, proceed to Determining
Fresh-Air Flow for Heater Location, page 7.

Conned and Unconned Space

The National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/
NFPA 54 denes a conned space as a space

whose volume is less than 50 cubic feet per

1,000 Btu/hr (4.8 m3 per kw) of the aggregate

input rating of all appliances installed in that

space and an unconned space as a space

whose volume is not less than 50 cubic feet

per 1,000 Btu/hr (4.8 m3 per kw) of the ag-

gregate input rating of all appliances installed
in that space. Rooms communicating directly
with the space in which the appliances are

installed*, through openings not furnished
with doors, are considered a part of the un­conned space.

* Adjoining rooms are communicating only if
there are doorless passageways or ventilation
grills between them.

-11

kg per pa-sec-m2) or

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119303-01G

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

Continued

DETERMINING FRESH-AIR FLOW
FOR HEATER LOCATION

Determining if You Have a Conned or
Unconned Space

Use this work sheet to determine if you have

a conned or uncon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.

(volume of space)

Example: Space size 22 ft. (length) x 18 ft.

(width) x 8 ft. (ceiling height) = 3168 cu. ft.
(volume of space)

If additional ventilation to adjoining room

is supplied with grills or openings, add the

volume of these rooms to the total volume
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 = (Maxi-

mum Btu/Hr the space can support)

Example: 3168 cu. ft. (volume of space) x 20

= 63,360 (maximum Btu/Hr the space can

support)

3. Add the Btu/Hr of all fuel burning appliances
in the space.

Vent-free replace __________ Btu/Hr
Gas water heater* __________ Btu/Hr
Gas furnace __________ Btu/Hr
Vented gas heater __________ Btu/Hr
Gas replace logs __________ Btu/Hr
Other gas appliances*+ __________ Btu/Hr
Total = _________ Btu/Hr
* Do not include direct-vent gas appliances.

Direct-vent draws combustion air from the
outdoors and vents to the outdoors.

Example:
Gas water heater __________ Btu/Hr
Vent-free replace + _________ Btu/Hr
Total = _________ Btu/Hr

40,000
39,000
79,000

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

_______ Btu/Hr (maximum the space can

support)

_______ Btu/Hr (actual amount of Btu/Hr

used)

Example: 63,360 Btu/Hr (maximum the

space can support)

79,000 Btu/Hr (actual amount of

Btu/Hr used)

The space in the above example is a conned

space because the actual Btu/Hr used is more
than the maximum Btu/Hr the space can sup­port. You must provide additional fresh air. Your
options are as follows:

A. Rework worksheet, adding the space of an

adjoining room. If the extra space provides an

unconned space, remove door to adjoining

room or add ventilation grills between rooms.
See Ventilation Air From Inside Building,
page 8.

B. Vent room directly to the outdoors. See

Ventilation Air From Outdoors, page 8.

C. Install a lower Btu/Hr replace, if lower Btu/

Hr size makes room unconned.

If the actual Btu/Hr used is less than the

maximum Btu/Hr the space can support, the
space is an unconned space. You will need

no additional fresh air ventilation.

WARNING: If the area in which

the heater may be operated does
not meet the required volume for
indoor combustion air, combus­tion and ventilation air shall be
provided by one of the methods
described in the National Fuel

Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54,
the International Fuel Gas Code,

or applicable local codes.

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7

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

Or

Remove
Door into
Adjoining

Room,
Option

3

Ventilation Grills

Into Adjoining Room,

Option 2

Ventilation

Grills Into

Adjoining

Room,

Option 1

12"

12"

Continued

VENTILATION AIR

Ventilation Air From Inside Building

This fresh air would come from an adjoining

unconned space. When ventilating to an
adjoining unconned space, you must provide

two permanent openings: one within 12" of the

ceiling and one within 12" of the oor on the

wall connecting the two spaces (see options

1 and 2, Figure 3). You can also remove door
into adjoining room (see option 3, Figure 3).

Follow the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI

Z223.1/NFPA 54, 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 perma­nent openings: one within 12" of the ceiling

and one within 12" of the 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, Air for
Combustion and Ventilation for required size

of ventilation grills or ducts.
IMPORTANT: Do not provide openings for

inlet or outlet air into attic if attic has a thermo­stat-controlled power vent. Heated air entering
the attic will activate the power vent.

Figure 3 - Ventilation Air from Inside

Building

INSTALLATION

NOTICE: This heater is intended

for use as supplemental heat.
Use this heater along with your
primary heating system. Do not
install this heater as your pri­mary heat source. If you have a
central heating system, you may
run system’s circulating blower
while using heater. This will help
circulate the heat throughout the
house. In the event of a power
outage, you can use this heater
as your primary heat source.

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Ventilated
Attic

Crawl Space

Ventilated

To Attic

To

Crawl

Space

Outlet
Air

Inlet
Air

Outlet
Air

Inlet Air

Figure 4 - Ventilation Air from Outdoors

WARNING: A qualied service
person must install replace.
Follow all local codes.

WARNING: Never install the

replace

• in a bedroom or bathroom

• in a recreational vehicle

• where curtains, furniture,

clothing or other ammable
objects are less than 36" from
front and 42" from top of re­place. For side clearances see
Figure 8, page 10

• in high trafc areas

• in windy or drafty areas

119303-01G

INSTALLATION

Continued

WARNING: These models have

a three-prong, grounded electrical
plug. This plug helps protect you
against electrical shock. Only con­nect plug to a properly grounded,
three-prong receptacle. Do not cut
or remove the grounding prong
from this plug.

CAUTION: This replace cre-

ates warm air currents. These

currents move heat to wall sur-

faces next to replace. Installing
replace next to vinyl or cloth
wall coverings or operating
heater where impurities (such
as, but not limited, to tobacco

smoke, aromatic candles, clean-

ing uids, oil or kerosene lamps,
etc.) in the air exist, may discolor
walls or cause odors.

Note: Your replace is designed to be used in
zero clearance installations. Wall or framing ma­terial can be placed directly against any exterior
surface on the rear, sides or top of your replace,
except where standoff spacers are integrally at­tached. If standoff spacers are attached to your
replace, these spacers can be placed directly
against wall or framing materials.

Use the dimensions shown for rough openings
to create the easiest installation. See Built-In

Fireplace Installation, page 12.

IMPORTANT: Vent-free heaters add moisture

to the air. Although this is benecial, installing
replace in rooms without enough ventilation

air may cause mildew to form from too much
moisture. See Air for Combustion and Ventila-

tion, page 6.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the replace is level.
If replace is not level, log set will not work

properly.

CHECK GAS TYPE

Use the correct gas type (natural or propane/

LP) for your replace. If your gas supply is not
correct, do not install replace. Call dealer
where you bought replace for proper type
replace.

119303-01G

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WARNING: This appliance is
equipped for either natural gas
or propane/LP gas but not both.
Gas type is indicated on the rat­ing plate. Field conversion is not
permitted.

ELECTRICAL HOOKUP

This replace has a blower assembly with an
electrical cord. The electrical cord is ve feet
in length. You must locate replace within

reach of 120-volt grounded electrical outlet. If

not, you must install an electrical outlet within
reach of replace power cord. The GA3555

outlet accessory may be used for built-in
installation when a blower is installed.

INSTALLING HOOD

Install hood to rail already installed in replace

as shown in Figure 5. Use 3 Phillips screws
provided.

Rail

Hood

Screw

Figure 5 - Installing Hood

ASSEMBLING AND ATTACHING

OPTIONAL PERIMETER TRIM
(Included with Mantel Accessory)

IMPORTANT: If you are recessing the rebox
in a wall, do not attach trim at this time. See
Built-In Fireplace Installation, page 12.

Note: These instructions are for assembling

and attaching trim to replace.

1. Remove packaging from three pieces
of trim.

2. Locate four screws, two adjusting plates
with set screws, and two shims in the

hardware packet.

3. Align shim under adjusting plate as shown

in Figure 6, page 10.

4. Slide one end of adjusting plate/shim
in slot on mitered edge of top trim (see

Figure 6, page 10).

9

INSTALLATION

Continued

5. Slide other end of adjusting plate/shim
in slot on mitered edge of side trim (see
Figure 6).

6. While rmly holding edges of trim together,

tighten both set screws on the adjusting
plate with slotted screwdriver.

7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for other side.

8. Tighten trim hanging screws (#10 x 6.25
shoulder) into holes in cabinets. Place

the assembled trim onto replace cabinet.

Align hanging notches on trim with hang-

ing screws on side of replace (see Figure

7). Push trim rmly into place, sliding

hanging notches over hanging screws.

Set Screws

Top
Trim

Side Trim

Adjusting
Plate

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

A. Clearances from the side of the replace

cabinet to any combustible material and
wall should follow diagram in Figure 8.

Example: The face of a mantel, bookshelf,

etc. is made of combustible material and
protrudes 3 1/2" from the wall. This com­bustible material must be 4" from the side

of the replace opening (see Figure 8).

B. Clearances from the top of the replace

opening to the ceiling should not be less
than 42".

Example

Mitered

Shim

Edge
Mitered
Edge

Slot

Figure 6 - Assembling Perimeter Trim

Assembled
Trim

Figure 7 - Attaching Perimeter Trim to

Fireplace

Slot

Trim
Hanging
Screws

Hanging
Notches
on Trim

INSTALLATION CLEARANCES

WARNING: Maintain the

minimum clearances. If you can,
provide greater clearances from
oor, ceiling, and adjoining wall.

Carefully follow these instructions. This will
ensure safe installation.

*

*Minimum 16" from Side Wall

Figure 8 - Minimum Clearance for

Combustible to Wall

CONVENTIONAL FIREPLACE

INSTALLATION

Conventional installation of this fireplace

involves installing replace along with the
corner, face, or cabinet mantel with hearth

base accessories against a wall in your home.
Follow the instructions in this section to install

the replace in this manner.

1. Assemble cabinet mantel, hearth base,

and trim accessories. Assembly instruc­tions are included with each accessory.

2. When installing blower, install a properly
grounded, 120 volt three-prong electrical
outlet at replace location if an outlet is not
there. If possible, locate outlet so cabinet

mantel will cover it when installed (see

Figure 9, page 11).

3. Install gas piping to replace location. This
installation includes an approved exible

gas line (if allowed by local codes) after

the equipment shutoff valve. The exible

gas line must be the last item installed on
the gas piping. See Installing Gas Piping
to Fireplace Location, page 13.

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119303-01G