Totem EPI, EPI 900 TECHNIKA Operating Instructions Manual

OPERATING

INSTRUCTIONS

www.totemfire.com

EPI

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"technika" Range

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Contents

1 Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... 3

2 Operating instructions ............................................................................................................................ 4

2.1 Basic safety rules ........................................................................................................................... 4

2.1.1 General points ......................................................................................................................... 4

2.1.2 Fire hazard zone ..................................................................................................................... 4

2.1.3 In the event of fire propagation in the flue ................................................................................ 5

2.2 How does Totem fireplace work?.................................................................................................... 6

2.2.1 Door ........................................................................................................................................ 7

2.2.2 Smoke damper trap ............................................................................................................... 11

2.2.3 Reflectors .............................................................................................................................. 14

2.3 Using your appliance for the first time ........................................................................................... 15

2.4 How to operate the fire ................................................................................................................. 16

2.4.1 Lighting ................................................................................................................................. 16

2.4.2 Adding wood ......................................................................................................................... 17

2.4.3 Extinction ............................................................................................................................... 18

2.5 Initial checks in case of poor functioning ....................................................................................... 19

2.6 Maintenance guide ....................................................................................................................... 20

2.6.1 Cleaning the glass ................................................................................................................. 20

2.6.2 Cleaning the fireplace ............................................................................................................ 21

2.6.3 Maintenance and Chimney Sweeping ................................ ................................................... 22

2.7 Maintenance record ...................................................................................................................... 25

3 Basic information about firewood ......................................................................................................... 26

3.1 General points .............................................................................................................................. 26

3.2 Drying of wood and its moisture content ....................................................................................... 29

3.3 Types of fuel which are forbidden ................................................................................................. 30

4 Dimensions.......................................................................................................................................... 31

5 EC certifications .................................................................................................................................. 32

6 Warranty .............................................................................................................................................. 33

6.1 Statutory warranty ........................................................................................................................ 33

6.2 Contract guarantee ....................................................................................................................... 33

6.3 The following are not covered by the warranty.............................................................................. 33

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1 Foreword

You have purchased a Totem fireplace, thank you for your custom.
Read these operating instructions carefully in order to obtain the best and safest use of your new

installation.
Totem fireplaces are high-tech, high-performance appliances, in particular with regard to safety.
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.

A qualified professional shall have ensured, in particular, that the characteristics of the chimney flue and its
environment are suitable for the fireplace to be installed.

Any modification to your Totem fireplace will render the warranty null and void.
If you have any questions about how the appliance works, please contact your fitter.
The explanations in this manual only apply to the Totem Epi Technika fireplace.
For further information, consult our Internet site: www.totemfire.com

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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 an easy wood loading door open.

 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 vitro­ceramics 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.

Fire hazard zone

80 cm

Fireplace

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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 vitro­ceramics 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.

In the European Union
dial 112

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2.2 How does Totem fireplace work?

HEATING BY RADIATION AND CONVECTION

Burning wood produces heat by radiation and convection.
To optimise radiation of the fire, Technika fireplaces are equipped with very large panes of glass and

reflectors (see p14). The reflectors reduce the temperature of the smoke evacuated and increase that of
the fire. In this way, they directly contribute to improving your appliance’s performance.

Convection air is taken from inside the house at floor level; it increases in temperature by circulating around
the fireplace and inside its double lining before being redistributed via the 4 hot air vents.

Ambient air

Warmed air,
redistributed into
your house

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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.

The foldaway door must not be open when using the fireplace except when loading wood.
The fireplace is designed to operate with the door closed in order to optimise heating performance and

allow you to enjoy the fire in complete safety.
To prepare the fire and add wood 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 centimeters 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.

Door raised

Door lowered

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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,
Push the latches (1)
Pull the swinging door (2)
To close the swinging door, push the door in the direction of

the fireplace.
Check that the latches lock correctly.

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AIR

The door must be COMPLETELY closed.

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1.1 Normal operation

Fresh air is distributed in three directions and for three co-operating functions:

- Under the hearth floor, primary air is used to intensify the fire

- Above the glass panes, secondary air creates a film of air along them which reduces carbon

deposits

- the portion injected into the after-burn reduces the amount of carbon monoxide released into the
atmosphere.

PRIMARY AIR

The primary air control connected to the air intake flap allows you to control the
rate of your fire and adjust its power.

A hole in the control has been created to allow you to handle it using the safe handling tool and in this way
prevent burns.

Primary air

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SECONDARY AIR

Above the glass panes, secondary air creates a film of air along them which
reduces carbon deposits.

AFTERBURN AIR

Afterburn air is injected into the centre of the fireplace above the flames.
The injected air reduces the amount of carbon monoxide released into the

atmosphere. It reduces the impact of combustion on the environment and increases
the appliance’s output.

Secondary air

Afterburn air