FMI VSGF36NRC, VSGF36PRC User Manual

PFS

US

TM

Vantage

UNVENTED (VENT-FREE) GAS FIREPLACE SYSTEM

OWNER’S OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUAL

®

MODELS VSGF36NRC AND VSGF36PRC

WARNING: If the information in this manual is not

Hearth

by FMI PRODUCTS, LLC

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

Locating Firebox .................................................. 6

Product Specications ......................................... 6

Air For Combustion and Ventilation ..................... 7

Installation ........................................................... 9

Operation ........................................................... 20

Inspecting Burners ............................................ 24

SAFETY

Cleaning and Maintenance ................................ 25

Troubleshooting ................................................. 26

Specications .................................................... 30

Technical Service............................................... 30

Service Hints ..................................................... 30

Wiring Diagram .................................................. 30

Replacement Parts ............................................ 31

Accessories ....................................................... 31

Parts .................................................................. 32

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

WARNING: Improper

installation, 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 7

of this manual.

This firebox has been
tested and approved by
the PFS Corporation un­der ANSI Z21.11.2 as a
decorative type unvented
room heater.

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: For use only

with a listed decorative type
unvented room heater. Do
not build a wood re.

2

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121082-01K

SAFETY

Continued

WARNING: This product con-

tains and/or generates chemicals

known to the state of California

to cause cancer or birth defects
or other reproductive harm.

WARNING: Do not allow fans

to blow directly into 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.

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.

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, heater may not be working

properly. Get fresh air at once! Have heater
serviced. Some people are more affected by
carbon monoxide than others. 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 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 heater.

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 heater.

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 heater.

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

children when they are in the

room with replace. When us­ing optional hand-held remote
accessory, keep selector switch
in OFF position to prevent chil­dren from turning on burners
with remote.

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

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

121082-01K

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3

SAFETY

Continued

1. This appliance is only for use with type of
gas indicated on 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 gas supplier’s
instructions

• if you cannot reach your gas supplier,

call the re department

4. This replace shall not be installed in a

bedroom or bathroom.

5. Do not use this fireplace as a wood-

burning replace. Use only logs provided
with 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 control

area of replace.

7. To prevent creation of soot, follow in-

structions in Cleaning and Maintenance,
page 25.

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

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

9. 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 7. If replace keeps shutting off, see
Troubleshooting, page 26.

10. Do not run replace

• where ammable liquids or vapors are

used or stored

• under dusty conditions

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

burn paper or other objects.

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

exposed to or under water. Immediately

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

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

13. Do not operate fireplace if any log is

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

14. Turn fireplace off and let cool before

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

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

16. 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).

17. 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 fitter 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.

121082-01K

Log Set

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Rear
Burner

Top Louver
Assembly

Fireplace
Hood

Top Outer Casing

Remote
Control

Figure 1 - Log Base Assembly

Front
Burner

Base
Assembly

UNPACKING

CAUTION: Do not remove

data plates attached to 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 on top of replace

in a carton.

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 generated

by both realistic ames and glowing embers.
When used without blower, 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 sys-

tem. ODS/pilot is a required feature for vent-

free room heaters. ODS/pilot system shuts off

replace if there is not enough fresh air.

Screen
Assembly

Bottom Louver Assembly

Figure 2 - Fireplace

2.

Locate one screw above top left corner

of replace screen. Remove and discard
screw. Lift replace screen up and pull out

to remove.

3. Remove protective packaging applied to

logs, log base assembly and replace.

4. Check heater for any shipping damage. If

heater is damaged call FMI PRODUCTS,

LLC at 1-866-328-4537 for replacement
parts before returning to dealer.

IGNITION SYSTEM

This replace has an electronic ignitor to light

heater fuel supply.

REMOTE CONTROL

This replace is equipped with a thermostat

remote control. Remote can also be used
manually. Use this remote to control tempera-

ture and ame height.

121082-01K

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5

LOCATING FIREBOX

PLANNING

Plan where you will install rebox. This will

save time and money later when you install

your rebox. Before installation, consider the

following:

1. Where rebox will be located. Allow for

wall and ceiling clearances (see Installa­tion Clearances, page 10).

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Left Side View

2. Everything needed to complete installation.

3. These models CANNOT be installed in
a bedroom unless maximum Btu rating
of installed vent-free log set is less than

10,000 Btu/hr.

4. Proper air for combustion and ventilation
(page 7).

Firebox Top View

Right Side View

Front View

Figure 3 - Firebox Dimensions

6

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121082-01K

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 cold air out and warm air in. During heat-

ing 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 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 these three

following ventilation classications:

1. Unusually Tight Construction

2. Unconned Space

3. Conned Space

The information on pages 7 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 9.

If your home does not meet all of the three

criteria above, proceed to Determining
Fresh-Air Flow for Heater Location, page 8.

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 per hour (4.8 m3 per kw) of the ag-

gregate 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 per hour (4.8 m3 per kw)

of the aggregate 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

121082-01K

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7

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 9.

B. Vent room directly to the outdoors. See

Ventilation Air From Outdoors, page 9.

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.

8

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121082-01K

Or

Remove
Door into
Adjoining

Room,
Option

3

Ventilation Grills

Into Adjoining Room,

Option 2

Ventilation

Grills

Into

Adjoining

Room,

Option 1

12"

12"

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

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

ceiling and one within 12" of oor on wall

connecting two spaces (see options 1 and

2, Figure 4). 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.

Figure 4 - Ventilation Air from Inside

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.

121082-01K

Building

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Continued

Outlet
Air

Inlet
Air

Figure 5 - Ventilation Air from Outdoors

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.

person must install replace.
Follow all local codes.

replace

• in a bedroom or bathroom

• in a recreational vehicle

• where curtains, furniture,

• in high trafc areas

• in windy or drafty areas

Outlet
Air

Inlet Air

Ventilated
Attic

Crawl Space

Ventilated

To Attic

To

Crawl

Space

INSTALLATION

WARNING: A qualied service

WARNING: Never install the

clothing or other ammable
objects are less than 36" from
the top and 42" from front of
heater. For side clearances see
Figure 6, page 10

9

INSTALLATION

Continued

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

Firebox Installation, page 11.
IMPORTANT: Vent-free heaters add moisture

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

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

Ventilation, page 7.
IMPORTANT: Make sure replace is level.

If replace is not level, log set will not work

properly.

CHECK GAS TYPE

Use 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.

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.

10

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INSTALLATION CLEARANCES

WARNING: Maintain the

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

Carefully follow the instructions below. This
will ensure safe installation.

Minimum Wall and Ceiling Clearances (see
Figure 6)

A. Clearances from the side of the replace

cabinet to any combustible material and
wall should follow diagram in Figure 6.

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 cabinet (see Figure 6).

B. Clearances from top of rebox opening to

ceiling should not be less than 42".

C. When rebox is installed on carpeting or

other combustible material, other than
wood ooring, rebox should be installed

on a metal or wood panel extending full
width and depth of the enclosure.

D. Clearances from bottom of rebox to oor

is 0".

These reboxes can be installed as freestand­ing units against a wall with approved, optional

cabinet mantels (see Accessories, page 31)
or as a built-in unit. Clearances are the same
for either installation method.

CAUTION: Do not install

the rebox directly on carpet
or vinyl.

Example

*

*Minimum 16" from Side Wall

Figure 6 - Minimum Clearance for

Combustible to Wall

121082-01K

INSTALLATION

Supplied
Firebox Hood
Must Be Used
at All Times

Wire-mesh
Screen

Firebox

Noncombustible
Material May
Project Off this
Surface above
the Firebox Hood

Mantel Shelf

Note: Any portion of the
mantel shelf must NOT
extend beyond this profile.

12" 16" 20"

1

1

/

2

"

6

3

/

4

"

12"

Note: All vertical
measurements are
from top of fireplace
hood opening to
bottom of mantel shelf.
These minimum
clearances replace any
other recommended
clearances supplied
with your ANSI Z21.11.2
approved gas logs.

Wall board or facing
material (above
firebox) may be of
combustible material,
including decorative
mantel ornaments or
other similar projec­tions off of the facing
material.

Framing
Material

Continued

Mantel Clearances for Built-In
Installation

If placing custom mantel above built-in rebox,

you must meet minimum allowable clearance
between mantel shelf and top of firebox
opening shown in Figure 7. These are mini­mum allowable mantel clearances for a safe
installation. Use larger clearances wherever

possible to minimize heating of objects and

materials placed on mantel.

CAUTION: Do not allow vent-

free gas log heater to touch or ex­tend beyond replace screen.

NOTICE: Surface temperatures
of adjacent walls and mantels
become hot during operation.
Walls and mantels above rebox
may become hot to the touch.
If installed properly, these tem­peratures meet the requirement
of the national product standard.

Follow all minimum clearances

shown in this manual.

NOTICE: If your installation does
not meet the minimum clearances
shown, you must do one of the

following:

• raise the mantel to an accept­able height

• remove the mantel

BUILT-IN FIREBOX INSTALLATION

Built-in installation of this rebox involves
installing rebox into a framed-in enclosure.
This makes front of rebox ush with wall.

Optional brass trim accessories are available
(see Accessories, page 31). Brass trim will ex-

tend past sides of rebox approximately 1/2".

This will cover rough edges of wall opening.

If installing a mantel above rebox, you must
follow clearances shown in Figure 6, page 10.
Follow instructions below to install rebox in

this manner.

1. Frame in rough opening. Firebox framing
should be constructed of 2 x 4 lumber or
heavier. Use dimensions in Table 1 and

rough opening layout in Figure 8, page

12. Adjust framing so that rebox ushes
with nished wall surface. If installing in a
corner, use dimensions in Figures 8 and
9, page 12 for rough opening.

121082-01K

Figure 7 - Minimum Mantel Clearances for Built-In Installation

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