Superior BGE18NE, BGE18PE, BGE2436PE, BGE2436NE Installation And Operation Instructions Manual

Installation and Operation Instructions

Superior™ Unvented (Vent-Free) Gas Log Heater

P/N 126828-01 Rev. NC 02/2014 Models

BGE18NE BGE18PE BGE2436NE BGE2436PE

P126828-01

INSTALLER: Leave this manual with the appliance.
CONSUMER: Retain this manual for future reference.

This appliance may be installed 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.

WARNING: This appliance is for installation only in a solid-fuel burning masonry or UL127 factory-built
fireplace or in a listed ventless firebox enclosure. It is design-certified for these installations in accordance
with ANSI Z21.11.2. Exception: DO NOT install this appliance in a factory-built fireplace that includes
instructions stating it has not been tested or should not be used with unvented gas logs.

This is an unvented gas-fired 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.

WARNING: If the information in these instructions 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 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 fire department.

— Installation and service must be performed by a qualified installer, service agency or the gas supplier.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

Local Codes......................................................... 5

Product Features ................................................. 6

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

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

Operation ........................................................... 23

Inspecting Burners............................................. 29

Cleaning and Maintenance ................................ 30

SAFETY

Wiring Diagram .................................................. 32

Specications .................................................... 32

Troubleshooting ................................................. 33

Service Hints ..................................................... 40

Technical Service............................................... 40

Replacement Parts ............................................ 40

Accessories ....................................................... 40

Parts .................................................................. 41

Warranty ............................................................ 46

WARNING: Improper

installation, adjustment,
alteration, service or
maintenance can cause
injury or property dam­age. Refer to this manual
for correct installation
and operational proce­dures. For assistance or
additional information
consult a qualified in­staller, service agency or
the gas supplier.

WARNING: This ap­pliance is for installation
only in a solid-fuel burning
masonry or UL127 factory-

built replace or in a listed

ventless firebox enclo-

sure. It is design-certied

for these installations in
accordance with ANSI
Z21.11.2. Exception: DO
NOT install this appliance

in a factory-built replace

that includes instructions
stating it has not been test­ed or should not be used
with unvented gas logs.

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 in­stalled 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

SAFETY

Continued

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, op-

erate or service this replace.
Improper use of this replace

can cause serious injury or
death from burns, re, 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, the replace may not be

working properly. Get fresh air at once! Have
replace 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u-

ence of alcohol and those at high altitudes.
Natural and Propane/LP gases are odorless.

An odor-making agent is added to these gases.

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 heater.

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 heater.

Heater base assembly becomes
very hot when running heater.
Keep children and adults away
from hot surface to avoid burns
or clothing ignition. Heater
will remain hot for a time after
shutdown. Allow surface to cool
before touching.

Carefully supervise young chil­dren when they are in the room
with heater.

You must operate this heater with

the replace screen and hood in
place. Make sure replace screen

and hood are in place before running

heater. The replace screen shall

have openings for introduction of
combustion air.

Keep the appliance area clear
and free from combustible
materials, gasoline and other

ammable vapors and liquids.

SAFETY

Continued

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

4. This heater shall not be installed in a bed­room or bathroom.

5. Before installing in a solid fuel burning re­place, the chimney ue and rebox must
be cleaned of soot, creosote, ashes and
loose paint by a qualied chimney cleaner.

Creosote will ignite if highly heated. A dirty

chimney ue may create and distribute

soot within the house. Inspect chimney

ue for damage. If damaged, repair ue
and rebox before operating heater.

6. Do not burn solid-fuel in a masonry or

UL127 factory-built replace in which a

vent-free room heater is installed.

7. If replace has glass doors, never operate

this heater with glass doors closed. Any
glass doors shall be fully opened when the
appliance is in operation. If you operate

heater with doors closed, heat buildup
inside replace will cause glass to burst.

Make sure there are no obstructions

across openings of replace.

8. To prevent the creation of soot, follow the

instructions in Cleaning and Maintenance,
page 33.

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 and furniture.

10. This heater needs fresh, outside air ven­tilation to run properly. This heater has an
Oxygen Depletion Sensing (ODS) safety
shutoff system. The ODS shuts down the
heater if enough fresh air is not available.
See Air for Combustion and Ventilation,

page 6. If heater keeps shutting off, see
Troubleshooting, page 36.

11. Do not run heater

• where ammable liquids or vapors are

used or stored

• under dusty conditions

12. Do not use this heater to cook food or burn
paper or other objects.

13. Do not use heater if any part has been ex­posed to or under water. Immediately call

a qualied service technician to inspect

the room heater and to replace any part
of the control system and any gas control
which has been under water.

14. Do not operate heater if any log is broken.
Do not operate heater if a log is chipped

(dime-sized or larger).

15. Turn heater off and let cool before servic-

ing, installing or repairing. Only a qualied
service person should install, service or

repair heater.

16. Make sure the remote is set to the OFF
position when you are away from home
for long periods of time.

17. Remote heaters must not be connected
to any external electrical source.

18. Operating heater above elevations of

4,500 feet may cause pilot outage.

19. To prevent performance problems, do not

use propane/LP fuel tank of less than 100
lb. capacity (propane/LP units only).

20. Provide adequate clearances around air
openings.

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

126828-01A4

UNPACKING

CAUTION: Do not remove the
data plates from the grate as­sembly. The data plates contain
important warranty and safety
information.

1. Remove logs and heater base assembly
from cartons.

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Note: Do not pick up heater base assem-

bly by burners. This could damage heater.
Always handle base assembly by grate.

2. Remove all protective packaging applied
to logs and heater for shipment.

3. Check heater for any shipping damage.
If heater is damaged call INNOVATIVE
HEARTH PRODUCTS at 1-800-655-2008
for replacement parts before returning to
dealer.

Log Set

Left
Side

Front

Base Assembly

Figure 1 - Product Identication

LOCAL CODES

Install and use heater 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.

1430 Broadway

New York, NY 10018

Batterymarch Park

Quincy, MA 02269

Rear Burner

Right
Side

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.

126828-01A 5

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

PRODUCT FEATURES

OPERATION

This heater 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 coals. This

heater is designed for vent-free operation with
ue damper closed. It has been tested and ap­proved to ANSI Z21.11.2 standard for unvented
heaters. State and local codes in some areas
prohibit the use of vent-free heaters.

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, replaces, 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.

SAFETY DEVICE

This heater 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 shuts off the
heater if there is not enough fresh air.

ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM

This heater has an electronic ignitor to light
heater fuel supply.

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 8 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.

-11

kg per pa-sec-m2) or

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

126828-01A6

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

Continued

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,
below.

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.

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

replace 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 20 ft. (length) x 16 ft.

(width) x 8 ft. (ceiling height) = 2560 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: 2560 cu. ft. (volume of space) x 20

= 51,200 (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

4.

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

_______ Btu/Hr (maximum can support)
_______ Btu/Hr (actual amount used)
Example: 51,200 Btu/Hr (maximum the

73,000 Btu/Hr (actual amount of

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 maxi-

mum Btu/Hr the space can support, the space is
an unconned space. You will need no additional

fresh air ventilation.

space can support)

Btu/Hr used)

40,000
33,000
73,000

126828-01A 7

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION

Outlet
Air

Ventilated
Attic

Outlet
A

ir

Inlet
Air

Inlet Air

Ventilated

Crawl Space

To

Crawl

Space

To Attic

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

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.

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

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 Outdoors

Figure 2 - Ventilation Air from Inside Building

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

126828-01A8

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.

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

WARNING: Before installing

in a solid fuel burning replace,
the chimney ue and rebox

must be cleaned of soot, creo­sote, ashes and loose paint by
a qualified chimney cleaner.
Creosote will ignite if highly

heated. A dirty chimney ue may

create and distribute soot within
the house. Inspect chimney and

rebox ue for damage. If dam­aged, repair ue and rebox

before operating heater.

WARNING: Any outside air ducts

and/or ash dumps in the replace

shall be permanently closed at time
of appliance installation.

WARNING: Seal any fresh
air vents or ash clean-out doors
located on oor or wall of re­place. If not, drafting may cause
pilot outage or sooting. Use a
heat-resistant sealant. Do not

seal chimney ue damper.

WARNING: Never install the
heater

• in a bedroom or bathroom

• in a recreational vehicle

• where curtains, furniture,

clothing or other ammable

objects are less than 36" from
the front and 42" from top
heater, For side clearances
see Figure 4 page 10

• in high trafc areas

• in windy or drafty areas

CAUTION: This heater cre­ates warm air currents. These
currents move heat to wall sur­faces next to heater. Installing
heater next to vinyl or cloth wall
coverings or operating heater
where impurities (such as, but
not limited to, tobacco smoke,
aromatic candles, cleaning u­ids, oil or kerosene lamps, etc.) in
the air exist, may discolor walls
or cause odors.

IMPORTANT: Vent-free heaters add moisture

to the air. Although this is benecial, installing

heater in rooms without enough ventilation
air may cause mildew to form from too much
moisture. See Air for Combustion and Ventila-

tion, page 6.

126828-01A 9

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

INSTALLATION

Continued

CHECK GAS TYPE

Use the correct type of gas (natural or propane/
LP). If your gas supply is not the correct gas

type, do not install heater. Call dealer where

you bought heater for proper type heater.

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.

INSTALLATION AND CLEARANCES
FOR VENT-FREE OPERATION

WARNING: Maintain the
minimum clearances. If you
can, provide greater clearances

from oor, ceiling and adjoining

wall.

Minimum Fireplace Clearance to

Combustible Materials

Side Wall 16", Ceiling 42", Floor 5",

LOG SIZING REQUIREMENTS

Log Set

Models

LBG18-SM 17" 13.5" 20" 14"
LBG24-SM 17" 13.5" 26" 18"
LBG30-SM 21" 13.5" 32" 22"
LBG36-SM 21'' 13.5'' 38'' 27.5''
LBG18-BM 17'' 14.5'' 26'' 20''
LBG24-BM 17'' 14.5'' 29'' 22''
LBG30-BM 21'' 14.5'' 32'' 22''

Front 36"

Minimum Firebox Size

Height Depth

Front

Width

Rear

Width*

Carefully follow these instructions. This will

ensure safe installation into a masonry,
UL127-listed manufactured replace or listed
vent-free rebox.

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 4.

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 4).

Note: When installing your gas logs into

a manufactured rebox, follow rebox

manufacturer’s instructions for minimum
clearances to combustible materials.

B. Clearances from the top of the replace

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

Example

*

*Minimum 16" from Side Wall

Figure 4 - Minimum Clearance for

Combustible to Wall

MINIMUM NONCOMBUSTIBLE
MATERIAL CLEARANCES

If Not Using Mantel

Note: If using a mantel proceed to If Using
Mantel. If not using a mantel, follow the infor­mation on this page.

You must have noncombustible material(s)

above the replace opening. Noncombustible
materials (such as slate, marble, tile, etc.)
must be at least 1/2" thick. With sheet metal,

you must have noncombustible material be­hind it. Noncombustible material must extend
at least 8" up (for all models). If noncombus-

tible material is less than 12", you must install

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

126828-01A10

INSTALLATION

Heat Resistant
Material

(A)

Minimum
Noncombustible
Material

Minimum
Noncombustible
Material Height

Distances to
Underside of
Mantel

Top of
Fireplace
Opening

Underside of
Mantel Shelf

12"

8"

(A)

18"

14"

20"

17"

22"

19"

24"

20"

All minimum
distances are
in inches

Log Set
24"/30"/36"
Models
18" Model

2 1/2"

6"

8"

10"

Mantel Shelf

Continued

the replace hood accessory (24", 30" and

36" Models Only). See Figure 5 for minimum
clearances.

Noncombustible

Material

Distance (A)

1

2" or more Noncombustible mate-

Between 8" and 12"

Less than 8"

Requirements for Safe

Installation

rial OK.

24", 30" or 36" Models:
Install replace hood

accessory (GA6050 or
GA6053 see Acces-

sories, page 43). 18"

Model: Noncombustible
material OK.
Noncombustible mate­rial must be extended
to at least 8". See

Between 8" and 12",

above. If you cannot ex-

tend material, you must
operate heater with ue

damper open.

MANTEL CLEARANCES

In addition to meeting noncombustible mate-

rial clearances, you must also meet required
clearances between replace opening and

mantel shelf. If you do not meet the clearances

listed below, you will need a hood.

Determining Minimum Mantel Clearance

If you meet minimum clearance between

mantel shelf and top of replace opening, a

hood is not required (see Figure 6).

If Using Mantel

You must have noncombustible material(s)

above the replace opening. Noncombustible
materials (such as slate, marble, tile, etc.)
must be at least 1/2" thick. With sheet metal,

you must have noncombustible material be­hind it. Noncombustible material must extend
at least 8" up (for all models). If noncombus-

tible material is less than 12", you must install
the replace hood accessory (24", 30" and

36" Models Only). Even if noncombustible

material is more than 12", you may need the
hood accessory to deect heat away from

your mantel shelf. See Figures 5 and 6 and

Figure 7, page 12, for minimum clearances.

126828-01A 11

Figure 5 - Heat Resistant Material (Slate,

Marble, Tile, etc.) Above Fireplace

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

Figure 6 - Minimum Mantel Clearances

Without Using Hood

Determining Minimum Mantel Clearance
When Using a Hood

If minimum clearances in Figure 6, page 11, are
not met, you must have a hood. When using

a hood there are still certain minimum mantel
clearances required. Follow minimum clear-

ances shown in Figure 7, when using hood.

NOTICE: Surface temperatures
of adjacent walls and mantels
become hot during operation.
Walls and mantels above the
firebox 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.

Minimum
Noncombustible
Material

8"
Min.

12" 15" 18"

All minimum
distances are
in inches

Log Sets
18", 24",
30" & 36"
Models

20"

2

1

/2

"

6"

8"

10"

12"

Distances to
Underside of
Mantel

Hood
(GA6050 or
GA6053)

Top of
Fireplace
Opening

Underside of
Mantel Shelf

Mantel Shelf

14"
Min.

Combustible
Material

Noncombustible Material

Hearth

5"
Min.

Combustible
Material

INSTALLATION

Continued

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

• operate the logs only with the

ue damper open

• raise the mantel to an accept-

able height

• remove the mantel

Figure 7 - Minimum Mantel Clearances

FLOOR CLEARANCES

A. If installing appliance on the oor level,

you must maintain the minimum distance
of 14" to combustibles (see Figure 8).

B. If combustible materials are less than

14" to the replace, you must install ap­pliance at least 5" above the top surface

of combustible ooring including tile and

carpet (see Figure 9).

Figure 8 - Minimum Fireplace Clearances

When Using Hood

If Installed at Floor Level

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

Figure 9 - Minimum Fireplace Clearances

Above Combustible Flooring

INSTALLING HEATER BASE
ASSEMBLY

WARNING: You must secure

this heater to replace oor. If

not, heater will move when you
adjust controls. Moving heater
may cause a gas leak.

WARNING: If installing in a

sunken replace, special care

is needed. You must raise the

replace oor to allow access

to heater control panel. This

will insure adequate air ow

and guard against sooting and
controls being damaged. Raise
replace oor with noncombus­tible material. Make sure material
is secure.

CAUTION: Do not pick up
heater base assembly by burn­ers. This could damage heater.
Only handle base assembly by
grates.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the heater burners

are level. If heater is not level, heater will not

work properly.

Installation Items Needed

• hardware package (provided with heater)

• approved exible gas hose and ttings (if

allowed by local codes)

• sealant (resistant to propane/LP gas, not

provided)

• electric drill with 3/16” masonry drill bit

126828-01A12

INSTALLATION

Continued

1. Apply pipe joint sealant lightly to male

threads of gas tting (provided). Connect
approved exible gas hose to inlet side of

gas control (see Figure 10).

IMPORTANT: Hold gas regulator with

wrench when connecting flexible gas
hose.

2. Position heater base assembly in
fireplace.

3. Mark screw locations through holes in
front panel of base (see Figure 11). If

installing in a brick-bottom replace, mark

screw locations in mortar joint of bricks.

4. Remove heater base from replace.

5. Drill holes at marked locations using 3/16"
drill bit.

6. Attach base, through holes in front panel
of base, to replace oor using masonry

screws provided in hardware package
(see Figure 11).

7. Connect to gas supply. See Connecting
To Gas Supply.

CONNECTING TO GAS SUPPLY

WARNING: This appliance
requires a 1/2" NPT (National
Pipe Thread) inlet connection to
the pressure regulator.

WARNING: A qualied ser­vice person must connect heater
to gas supply. Follow all local
codes.

CAUTION: Never connect

propane/LP replace directly

to the propane/LP supply. This
heater requires an external regu­lator (not supplied). Install the
external regulator between the
heater and propane/LP supply.

Heater Gas
Regulator

WARNING: Never connect

natural gas replace to private

(non-utility) gas wells. This
gas is commonly known as

Flexible Gas Hose (if
allowed by local codes)

Figure 10 - Attaching Flexible Gas Hose

126828-01A 13

to Heater Gas Regulator

Masonry

Screw

Figure 11 - Attaching Base to Fireplace

Floor

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

wellhead gas.

Installation Items Needed

Before installing heater, make sure you have

the items listed below.

• external regulator (supplied by installer)

• piping (check local codes)

• sealant (resistant to propane/LP gas)

• equipment shutoff valve *

• test gauge connection *

• sediment trap

• tee joint

• pipe wrench

• approved exible gas line with gas connec-

tor (if allowed by local codes)

* An equipment shutoff valve with 1/8" NPT tap

is an acceptable alternative to test gauge
connection. Purchase the optional equip­ment shutoff valve from your dealer.

INSTALLATION

Continued

For propane/LP units, the installer must

supply an external regulator. The external
regulator will reduce incoming gas pressure.
You must reduce incoming gas pressure to
between 11" and 14" of water. If you do not re-

duce incoming gas pressure, heater regulator

damage could occur. Install external regulator
with the vent pointing down as shown in Figure

12. Pointing the vent down protects it from

freezing rain or sleet.

CAUTION: Use only new,
black iron or steel pipe. Inter­nally-tinned copper tubing may
be used in certain areas. Check
your local codes. Use pipe of
1/2" diameter or greater to allow
proper gas volume to heater. If
pipe is too small, undue loss of
volume will occur.

Propane/LP
Supply Tank

Figure 12 - External Regulator With Vent

Pointing Down

Installation must include an equipment shutoff

valve, union and plugged 1/8" NPT tap. Locate

NPT tap within reach for test gauge hook up.
NPT tap must be upstream from heater (see
Figure 13).

IMPORTANT: Install equipment shutoff valve
in an accessible location. The equipment
shutoff valve is for turning on or shutting off
the gas to the appliance.

Check your building codes for any special
requirements for locating equipment shutoff

valve to replaces.

Apply pipe joint sealant lightly to male NPT
threads. This will prevent excess sealant from
going into pipe. Excess sealant in pipe could
result in clogged heater valves.

External
Regulator
with Vent
Pointing
Down

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com

PROPANE/LP From
External Regulator
(11" W.C.** to 14"
W.C. Pressure)
NATURAL From
Gas Meter (5" W.C.**
to 10.5" W.C.
Pressure)

Tee Cap Pipe
Joint Nipple

Sediment Trap

Figure 13 - Gas Connection

* Purchase the optional equipment shutoff

valve from your dealer.

**Minimum inlet pressure for purpose of input

adjustment.

Equipment Shutoff Valve
With 1/8" NPT Tap*

Approved

Flexible Gas

Hose (if allowed

by local codes)

3" Minimum

Gas

Regulator

WARNING: Use pipe joint
sealant that is resistant to liquid
petroleum (LP) gas.

We recommend that you install a sediment
trap in supply line as shown in Figure 13.
Locate sediment trap where it is within reach
for cleaning. Install in piping system between
fuel supply and heater. Locate sediment trap

where trapped matter is not likely to freeze.

A sediment trap traps moisture and contami­nants. This keeps them from going into heater
controls. If sediment trap is not installed or is

installed wrong, heater may not run properly.

CAUTION: Avoid damage to
gas control. Hold gas control
with wrench when connecting

it to gas piping and/or ttings.

126828-01A14

INSTALLATION

Continued

CHECKING GAS CONNECTIONS

WARNING: Test all gas piping
and connections, internal and
external to unit, for leaks after
installing or servicing. Correct
all leaks at once.

WARNING: Never use an

open ame to check for a leak.

Apply a noncorrosive leak detec-

tion uid to all joints. Bubbles

forming show a leak. Correct all
leaks at once.

CAUTION: Make sure exter­nal regulator has been installed
between propane/LP supply
and heater. See guidelines un­der Connecting to Gas Supply,
page 13.

PRESSURE TESTING GAS SUPPLY
PIPING SYSTEM

Test Pressures In Excess Of 1/2 PSIG
(3.5 kPa)

1. Disconnect appliance with its appliance
main gas valve (control valve) and equip­ment shutoff valve from gas supply piping
system. Pressures in excess of 1/2 psig
(3.5 kPa) will damage heater regulator.

2. Cap off open end of gas pipe where equip­ment shutoff valve was connected.

3. Pressurize supply piping system by either

opening propane/LP supply tank valve
for propane/LP gas or opening main gas
valve located on or near gas meter for
natural gas or using compressed air.

4. Check all joints of gas supply piping sys­tem. Apply noncorrosive leak detection

uid to all joints. Bubbles forming show

a leak.

5. Correct all leaks at once.

6. Reconnect heater and equipment shutoff
valve to gas supply. Check reconnected

ttings for leaks.

Test Pressures Equal To or Less Than
1/2 PSIG (3.5 kPa)

1. Close equipment shutoff valve (see Fig­ure 14).

2. Pressurize supply piping system by either

opening propane/LP supply tank valve
for propane/LP gas or opening main gas
valve located on or near gas meter for
natural gas or using compressed air.

3. Check all joints from gas meter to equip­ment shutoff valve for natural gas or
propane/LP supply to equipment shutoff
valve for propane/LP (see Figure 15 or 16).

Apply noncorrosive leak detection uid to

all joints. Bubbles forming show a leak.

4. Correct all leaks at once.

Equipment
Shutoff
Valve

Figure 14 - Equipment Shutoff Valve

Propane/LP
Supply Tank

Figure 15 - Checking Gas Joints

(Propane/LP Only)

Gas Meter

Figure 16 - Checking Gas Joints (Natural

Equipment
Shutoff Valve

Equipment Shutoff Valve

Control Valve Location

Gas Only)

Open

Closed

Control Valve
Location

126828-01A 15

www.SuperiorFireplaces.US.com