Totem CLASSIC Operating Instructions Manual

12/2017

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
"CLASSIC" Range

www.totemfire.com

Contents

1 Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... 2

2 Operating instructions ............................................................................................................................ 2

2.1 Basic safety rules ........................................................................................................................... 2

2.1.1 General points ......................................................................................................................... 2

2.1.2 Fire hazard zone ..................................................................................................................... 2

2.1.3 In the event of fire propagation in the flue ................................................................................ 2

2.2 How does your Totem fireplace work? ............................................................................................ 2

2.2.1 Door ........................................................................................................................................ 3

2.3 Combustion adjustment elements................................................................................................... 3

2.3.1 Control lever for smoke damper trap ....................................................................................... 3

2.3.2 Combustion air ........................................................................................................................ 3

2.3.3 Reflectors ................................................................................................................................ 4

2.4 Using your appliance for the first time ............................................................................................. 4

2.5 How to operate the fire ................................................................................................................... 4

2.5.1 Lighting ................................................................................................................................... 4

2.5.2 Adding wood ........................................................................................................................... 5

2.5.3 Extinction ................................................................................................................................. 5

2.6 Initial checks in case of poor functioning ......................................................................................... 5

2.7 Maintenance guide ......................................................................................................................... 5

2.7.1 Cleaning the glass ................................................................................................................... 5

2.7.2 Cleaning the fireplace .............................................................................................................. 5

2.7.3 Maintenance and Chimney Sweeping ..................................................................................... 6

2.8 Maintenance record ........................................................................................................................ 6

3 Basic information about firewood ........................................................................................................... 7

3.1 General points ................................................................................................................................ 7

3.2 Drying of wood and its moisture content ......................................................................................... 8

3.3 Types of fuel which are forbidden ................................................................................................... 8

4 Warranty ................................................................................................................................................ 8

4.1 Statutory warranty .......................................................................................................................... 8

4.2 Contract guarantee ......................................................................................................................... 8

4.3 The following are not covered by the warranty................................................................................ 8

2

1 Foreword

You have purchased a Totem fireplace, thank you for your custom. The fireplace is intended for burning logs, it cannot be used as
an incinerator or for burning liquid fuel, coal or similar by-products. Follow the instructions in this manual to the letter and install the
fireplace in line with good practice, any local regulations and notably DTU (French code of practice) 24.1, 24.2 and European
standards NF EN 13229. Keep this manual in a safe place. We strongly recommend that this appliance is installed by a qualified
professional. He shall have ensured, in particular, that the characteristics of the chimney flue and its environment are suitable for
the fireplace to be installed. The manufacturer shall not be held responsible if these instructions are not followed and this would
render the contractual guarantee null and void. The manufacturer reserves the right to carry out any assembly or functional
modifications that he deems necessary, without notice. Installation of the fireplace, its accessories and the materials which
surround it must be carried out according to best practice and in compliance with all local and national regulations as well as all
national and European standards. If you have any questions about how the appliance works, please contact your fitter. The
explanations in this manual apply to all Totem Classic (except Suspended) To make these operating instructions easier to read

and understand, we have used general illustrations and terms corresponding to a particular type of appliance. The images used
may differ from your appliance. For further information, consult our Internet site: www.totemfire.com

2 Operating instructions

2.1 Basic safety rules

2.1.1 General points

 Your Totem fireplace is fitted with foldaway swinging doors which allow it to operate with the door lowered (shut) in

complete safety and the door raised (open) like a traditional fireplace.

 When using the fireplace with the door raised (open), the fireplace must be permanently supervised. Watch out for flying

embers.

 It is essential to wear protective gloves or use the safe handling tool to handle the door.

When the door is lowered (shut) the accessible surfaces of the frame of the door and the vitro-ceramics rise considerably
in temperature when the appliance is in operation and can cause burns when touched.

 Explain the risks of burns to children and ensure that they are not close to the fireplace when it is in use.
 It is strictly forbidden to open the swinging door when the appliance is in use (see page 8)

2.1.2 Fire hazard zone

Do not store flammable items within an 80 cm radius around the fireplace door. (logs, tables, chairs,
firelighters…) No flammable material must be placed in the appliance’s fire hazard zone.

2.1.3 In the event of fire propagation in the flue

If maintenance and operating conditions are adhered to, there is no risk of fire in your flue.
Nevertheless, please read these rules concerning chimney flue fires. Never use water to put out
the fire. Water causes thermal shock which could cause the bricks and vitro-ceramics of the
fireplace to explode. Close all the combustion air inlets, the smoke damper trap as well
as the door, using the safe handling tool to extinguish the fire. Move any flammable
objects away from the fireplace. Call the fire brigade.
Before using again, it is compulsory to have the entire installation (especially the ducts)
checked and cleaned by a qualified professional.

A fit for use certificate provided by a professional is compulsory.

2.2 How does your Totem fireplace work?

Fire hazard zone

3

2.2.1 Door

Foldaway door

Your Totem fireplace is fitted with a foldaway door. This is used to make the appliance function on a daily
basis. Open door operation requires some precautions which may vary depending on the characteristics
of the installation. We recommend that you try to determine the most appropriate amount of wood and
refill frequency to avoid backflow. In addition, each reload must be followed by a closed door operation
period. It is strongly advised to start the fireplace with the door closed. To optimise heating performance
and use the fire in complete safety, fully lower the door. To prepare the fire and add wood or to take full
advantage of a traditional fire, raise the door. Our doors are fitted with a stainless steel handle to facilitate
use. When the appliance is hot, use a glove or the safe handling tool to operate it. Open the door by a
few centimetres before fully opening to prevent down draughts.

Note: To prevent smoke from being discharged into your house, never allow your fireplace to operate with the door half open.

The Totem safe handling tool The safe handling tool, supplied with every fireplace,
allows the various elements of the fireplace to be handled without risk of burns.
Forge effect When the appliance is functioning with the door closed, there must be
no passage of air under the door. Check that nothing is preventing the door from closing correctly (embers, pieces of

wood…)
The air flow entering the fireplace is accelerated by the reduced passage under the door. This
air causes the fire to be over active. The wood burns too quickly The appliance becomes less
efficient.

Swinging door The swinging door must only be used for cleaning the glass, never for operation with the

door open or for loading wood. To open the swinging door, lower the door to the maximum, Raise the latch
(1), located on the edge of the glass,Pull the swinging door, keeping the latch raised. To close the
swinging door, push the door in the direction of the fireplace, keeping the latch raised.

2.3 Combustion adjustment elements

Effective wood burning depends on the amount of air supplying the fire and the rate of smoke evacuation,
i.e. the draught of the chimney. When using the appliance with the door lowered (shut) for a completely safe, long-lasting fire, it is
necessary to control the amount of air supply and the rate of smoke evacuation. When using the appliance with the door open
(door raised) smoke evacuation must be at the maximum rate as well as the amount of air available.

2.3.1 Control lever for smoke damper trap

The control lever for the smoke damper trap is a control device
connected to the damper trap. It controls evacuation of smoke
from the appliance. The control lever was designed to be
operated using the Totem safe handling tool. This prevents the
risk of burns whilst your fireplace is in use. To increase smoke
evacuation, push to the right To reduce evacuation, push to the
left. Recommendation: In order to prevent down draughts of smoke, increase smoke evacuation to the maximum before opening
the door.

2.3.2 Combustion air

Combustion air is an essential element of the combustion of a fire; the following
adjustment elements allow you to manage its rate. Adjustable air grate The ash

tray’s adjustable air grate has two functions: controlling the rate of the fire and

deashing the fireplace. For your comfort and safety, the Totem company has
equipped the adjustable air grate so that you can handle it using the safe handling
tool. To increase the supply of combustion air and the rate of the fire, push the
grate. To reduce the supply of combustion air and the rate of the fire, pull the grate.
To deash the fireplace, manoeuvre the grate from front to back using the safe
handling tool.
Combustion air intake flap The combustion air intake flap is an optional extra which can be placed upstream of
the adjustable air grate. It allows you to control the incoming air flow rate. The Totem company strongly
recommends that you install one. It is used to close your appliance’s air inlets when it is not in use.

To increase the incoming air flow rate, pull the control lever.
To close or reduce the incoming air flow rate, push the lever.

Door raised

Door lowered

O

AIR

1

Backflow