Superior VRE4032RS, VRE4032RH, VRE4036WS, VRE4036WH, VRE4036RS Installation And Operation Instruction Manual

PFS

US

Installation and Operation Instructions

Superior™ Indoor/Outdoor Vent-Free Firebox
Models

VRE4032RS
VRE4032RH

VRE4032WS
VRE4032WH

®

Report No. F09-130

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

WARNING: Carefully review the instructions supplied with the decorative type unvented room heater

for the minimum fireplace size requirement.

DO NOT INSTALL THE APPLIANCE IN THIS FIREBOX, UNLESS THIS FIREBOX MEETS THE MINIMUM DI­MENSIONS REQUIRED FOR THE INSTALLATION.

P/N 127032-01 Rev. B 01/2015

VRE4036RS
VRE4036RH

VRE4036WS
VRE4036WH

P127032-01

VRE4042RS
VRE4042RH

VRE4042WS
VRE4042WH

This firebox has been tested and approved under ANSI Z21.91 for use with any gas log approved to ANSI
Z21.11.2 for indoor applications and ANSI Z21.97 for outdoor applications.

WARNING: FOR USE ONLY WITH A LISTED, GAS-FIRED UNVENTED DECORATIVE ROOM HEATER NOT TO
EXCEED 40,000 BTU/H.

DO NOT BUILD A WOOD FIRE.

WARNING: If the information in this manual is not followed exactly, a fire or explosion may result caus-

ing 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redepartment.

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

For more information, visit Superiorfireplaces.US.com

Thank you for your purchase. We appreciate your
business!

Please carefully read and follow all instructions in this manual. Pay
special attention to all warnings and safety information.

Following these safety, care, and operation instructions will help
ensure many years of dependable and enjoyable service from your
fireplace.

Register your product online today!

To help us keep you up-to-date on product information and of­fers, please take a few moments to register your product online
at Superiorfireplaces.US.com (Owner Resources/Product Reg-

istration).

Please read and understand these instructions before installing
or operating.

SAFETY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

Local Codes ................................................................................... 3

Product Features ............................................................................ 3

Requirements for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts............... 3

Locating Firebox ............................................................................ 3

Product Specifications ................................................................... 4

Air for Combustion and Ventilation ................................................ 6

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

Replacement Parts ....................................................................... 13

Technical Service ......................................................................... 13

Accessories .................................................................................. 13

Parts ............................................................................................ 14

Warranty ...................................................................................... 19

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.

This appliance may be installed in an aftermarket,*
permanently located, manufactured (mobile) home,
where not prohibited by local codes.

* 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 fireplace can
cause serious injury or death from burns, fire, explo­sion, electrical shock and carbon monoxide poisoning.

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

Firebox front and screen become very hot when run­ning heater. Keep children and adults away from hot
surface to avoid burns or clothing ignition. Firebox will
remain hot for a time after shutdown. Allow surface
to cool before touching.

Do not place clothing or other flammable material on
or near the appliance. Never place any objects in the
firebox or on logs.

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

You must operate this fireplace with the provided
fireplace screen, hood if provided, in place. Make
sure these parts are in place and screens are closed
before running firebox. The supplied hood may not
be replaced with a hood which may be provided with
a log heater.

WARNING: Any change to this firebox or its controls

can be dangerous.

WARNING: Do not allow fans to blow directly into
the firebox. Avoid any drafts that alter burner flame
patterns. Ceiling fans can create drafts that alter
burner flame patterns. Altered burner patterns can
cause sooting.

Superiorfireplaces.US.com 126773-01B2

Keep the fireplace area clear and free from combus­tible materials, gasoline and other flammable vapors
and liquids.

Young children should be carefully supervised when they
are in the same room as the appliance. Toddlers, young
children and others may be susceptible to accidental
burns. A physical barrier is recommended if there are
at-risk individuals in the house. To restrict access to a
fireplace or stove, install an adjustable safety gate to keep
toddlers, young children and other at-risk individuals out
of the room and away from hot surfaces.

SAFETY Continued

1. Do not use this firebox as a wood-burning fireplace. Use only

decorative unvented room heaters (log sets).

2. Do not add extra logs or ornaments such as pine cones, vermiculite
or rock wool. Using these added items can cause sooting.

3. Use only provided hood or appropriate hood accessory. See Ac­cessories on page 13.

4. Vent-free gas log heaters installed in these fireboxes require
fresh air ventilation to run properly. See Air for Combustion and
Ventilation, page 6.

5. Do not run heater in firebox

•whereammableliquidsorvaporsareusedorstored

•underdustyconditions

6. Do not use heater in this firebox to cook food or burn paper or
other objects.

7. Turn installed heater off and let cool before servicing firebox. Only
a qualified service person should service and repair firebox.

8. Do not use the firebox if it has been under water due to the shock
hazard that could result with the blower accessary (if installed) in
place.

LOCAL CODES

Install and use 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*. Firebox must be electrically grounded in accor­dance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA70 (latest edition).

*Available from:

American National Standards Institute, Inc.

1430 Broadway

New York, NY 10018

National Fire Protection Association, Inc.

Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02269

PRODUCT FEATURES

PRODUCT FEATURES

OPERATION

This firebox has been tested and approved under ANSI Z21.91 for use
with any gas log approved to ANSI Z21.11.2 for indoor applications
and ANSI Z21.97 for outdoor applications. (Physical size limitations
apply. Refer to minimum firebox requirements supplied with log
heater.) It requires no outside venting or chimney making installation
easy and inexpensive. When used without blower, heater installed in
firebox requires no electricity making it ideal for emergency backup
heat.

REFRACTORY BRICK LINER

Your firebox may feature a concrete refractory brick liner. As with all
concrete liners, this liner may develop slight cracks when exposed
to heat. These cracks will not affect performance of fireplace or
vent-free gas logs.

OUTSIDE AIR KIT ACCESSORY

An optional AK4 air kit provides additional outdoor air to improve burner
efficiency and reduce build-up of condensation in the living space. Follow
instructions included with air kit.

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-fired 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.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS REQUIREMENTS

These appliances are approved for installation in the US state of
Massachusetts if the following additional requirements are met:

• Un-vented Room Heaters shall be installed in accordance with
527 CMR 30.

• Installation and repair must be done by a plumber or gas fitter
licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

• Theexiblegaslineconnectorusedshallnotexceed36inches

(92 centimeters) in length.

• The individual manual shut-off must be a T-handle type valve.

• Unvented appliances may NOT be installed in bedrooms or

bathrooms.

• A working smoke detector must be installed in the area where
vent-free appliances are installed.

Seller of unvented propane or natural gas-fired supplemental room
heaters shall provide to each purchaser a copy of 527 CMR 30 upon
sale of the unit.

LOCATING FIREBOX

PLANNING

Plan where you will install the firebox. This will save time and money
later when you install the firebox. Before installation, consider the
following:

1. Where firebox will be located: Allow for wall and ceiling clearances

(see Installation Clearances, page 8).

2. Everything needed to complete fireplace 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 6).

Superiorfireplaces.US.com126773-01B 3

32" MODELS

237/8"

39/16"

17

3

/8"

297/16"

34

7

/16"

36

3

/8" Indoor

37

3

/8" Indoor/Outdoor

Standoffs

227/16"

321/4"

361/2"

3

9

/16"

8

1

/8"

41/4"

Built-In
Side
Nailing
Flanges

5/8"

237/8"

3

9

/16"

17

3

/8"

297/16"

34

7

/16"

36

3

/8" Indoor

37

3

/8" Indoor/Outdoor

Standoffs

227/16"

321/4"

361/2"

815/16"

93/4"

19 3/8 "

16 5/8"

19/16"

3

9

/16"

8

1

/8"

213/16"

85/8" Indoor

8

1

/4" Indoor/Outdoor

41/4"

Built-In
Side
Nailing
Flanges

Square
Gas Line
Access
Holes

5/8"

Left Side
View with
Air Kit

Outside Air
Kit Location
(Optional)

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

1

/8"

8

1

10

/2"

8

3

1

7

/8"

/16"

Top View

Front View

Figure 1 - Firebox Dimensions (32" Models)

Firebox Top View

3 9/16"

3

9

/4"

Right Side View

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Back View

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Continued

20 1/2"

(36" Models)

24

1

/8"

(42" Models)

9

/16"

2 9/16"

26

3

/4" (36" Models)

29

5

/8" (42" Models)

35" (36" Models)
42" (42" Models)

40" (36" Models)

44

1

/

4

" (42" Models)

43"(36" Models)

51

1

/8"(42" Models)

29

1

/8" (36" Models)

36

1

/8" (42" Models)

41

1

/8"(36" Models)

48

1

/4"(42" Models)

5/8"

36

1

/

8

" (36" Models)

40" (42" Models)

Built-In
Side
Nailing
Flanges

13 11/16" (36" Models)
12

3

/8" (42" Models)

7 1/4" (36" Models)
9" (42" Models)

2 9/16"

10

1

/2"

(36" Models)

12

1

/2"

(42" Models)

13 11/16" (36" Models)

15

9

/16" (42" Models)

20 1/2"

(36" Models)

24

1

/8"

2

9

/16"

2 9/16"

3

13

/16"

26

3

/4" (36" Models)

29

5

/8" (42" Models)

35" (36" Models)
42" (42" Models)

40" (36" Models)

44

1

/

4

" (42" Models)

43"(36" Models)

51

1

/8"(42" Models)

29

1

/8" (36" Models)

36

1

/8" (42" Models)

8

1

/8"

(36" Models)

9"

(42" Models)

21

1

/8" (36" Models)

23

1

/16" (42" Models)

41

1

/8"(36" Models)

48

1

/4"(42" Models)

5/8"

36

1

/

8

" (36" Models)

40" (42" Models)

Built-In
Side
Nailing
Flanges

36" AND 42" MODELS

Note: If only one dimension is shown, dimension is the same for both 36" and 42" models.

Left Side
View with
Air Kit

Top View

Outside Air
Kit Location
(Optional)

Right
Side
View

Firebox Top View

Front View

Back View

Figure 2 - Firebox Dimensions (36" and 42" Models)

Superiorfireplaces.US.com126773-01B 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 efficient 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 heat­ing months, home owners want their homes as airtight as possible.

While it is good to make your home energy efficient, 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, fireboxes, 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
classifications:

1. Unusually Tight Construction

2. Unconfined Space

3. Confined Space
Information on page 7 through 9 will help you classify your space

and provide adequate ventilation.

Unusually Tight Construction

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 defined as construction where:

a. walls and ceilings exposed to outside atmosphere have a con-

tinuous water vapor retarder with a rating of one perm (6 x 10
kg per pa-sec-m2) or 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 floors, be­tween wall-ceiling joints, between wall panels, at penetrations
for plumbing, electrical and gas lines and at other openings.

If your home meets all three criteria above, you must provide
additional fresh air. See Ventilation Air From Outdoors, page 7.

If your home does not meet all
Determining Fresh-Air Flow for Firebox Location.

three criteria above, proceed to

-11

Confined and Unconfined Space

The National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 defines a confined
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 aggregate input rating of all ap­pliances installed in that space and an unconfined 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 unconfined 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 Confined or Unconfined Space
Use this work sheet to determine if you have a confined or unconfined
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 = (Maximum 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 heater _____ Btu/Hr
Gas water heater* _____ Btu/Hr
Gas furnace _____ Btu/Hr
Vented gas heater _____ Btu/Hr
Gas fireplace logs _____ Btu/Hr

Other gas appliances*

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 40,000 Btu/Hr
Vent-free heater + 39,000 Btu/Hr
Total = 79,000 Btu/Hr

+ _____ Btu/Hr

Superiorfireplaces.US.com 126773-01B6