Valor ALPHA 647 Owner's Manual

3002614/01

OWNER’S GUIDE

THIS APPLIANCE IS FOR USE WITH NATURAL GAS (G20)

WHEN CONVERTED USING CONVERSION KIT NO.0591149 THIS

APPLIANCE IS FOR USE WITH PROPANE GAS (G31)

THIS APPLIANCE IS FOR USE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (GB) AND

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (IE) ONLY.

We trust that this guide gives sufficient details to enable the appliance to be operated and

maintained satisfactorily. However, if further information is required, our Valor

Technical Helpline will be pleased to help.

Please telephone [phone] (National call rates apply in the United Kingdom).

In the Republic of Ireland call 0044 08706 061 065

This guide to be left with the owner

© Valor Heating

MODEL 647

INSET LIVE FUEL

EFFECT GAS FIRE

INCORPORATING THE VALOR

CONTROL

(

GC No. 32-032-50

)

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 2

Safety First.

Valor fires are CE Approved and designed to meet the appropriate British Standards and

Safety Marks.

Quality and Excellence.

At the heart of every Valor fire.

All Valor fires are manufactured to the highest standards of quality and excellence and

are manufactured under a BS EN ISO 9001 quality system accepted by the British

Standards Institute.

The Highest Standards

Valor is a member of the Society of British Gas Industries which works to ensure high

standards of safety, quality and performance.

Careful Installation

Valor is a CORGI registered company. All our gas fires must be

installed by a competent CORGI Registered Installer in accordance

with our Installer Guide and should not be fitted directly on to a

carpet or floor of combustible material.

Valor Heating, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9QP

www.firesandstoves.co.uk

Because our policy is one of constant development and improvement, details may vary slightly from those

given in this publication

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 3

CUSTOMER CARE

Thank you for choosing Valor.

All Valor gas fires are designed to meet the most stringent quality, performance and safety
requirements to provide our customers with many years’ trouble-free service.
Your owner guide aims to improve your understanding and appreciation of your Valor gas
appliance by providing simple and informative instructions to ensure that you benefit from
the excellent performance and features it has to offer.

If you require further assistance or any advice about gas in general, our Technical Helpline
will be pleased to help.

Please telephone [phone] (National call rates apply in the United Kingdom).
In the Republic of Ireland please telephone [phone]

LIST OF CONTENTS

SAFETY..................................................................................................................... 4

APPLIANCE DIMENSIONS .................................................................................. 6

OPERATING YOUR FIRE..................................................................................... 7

CLEANING............................................................................................................... 9

REFITTING THE CERAMICS ........................................................................... 10

MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................... 12

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 4

Graph 1 Combustible shelf clearances

SAFETY

IF YOU SMELL GAS
DON’T SMOKE
EXTINGUISH ALL NAKED FLAMES
DON’T TURN ELECTRICAL SWITCHES ON OR OFF
TURN OFF THE GAS SUPPLY AT THE METER
OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS TO GET RID OF THE GAS
IMMEDIATELY CALL THE GAS EMERGENCY SERVICE – SEE YOUR
LOCAL TELEPHONE DIRECTORY

DO

• Have the fire installed by a competent person. In the United Kingdom, installation

must be in accordance with the latest edition of the Gas Safety (installation & use)
Regulations. In the Republic of Ireland, installation must be in accordance with all
national and local regulations in force.

• Have the chimney swept prior to installation if it was previously used for solid fuel.

• Have the fire installed in accordance with the installation instructions

• Provide a minimum clearance as shown below from the top surface of the hearth to any

shelf made of wood or other combustible material. Please bear this in mind if you are
making any alterations to the room. (See graph 1).

For a shelf up to 150mm deep

Minimum height = 750mm.

For a shelf deeper than 150mm

Minimum height = 750mm + 12.5mm for every 25mm depth over 150mm.

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 5

DO

• Always use a fireguard complying with BS6539 or BS6778 for the protection of young

children, the elderly or infirm.

• Wait three minutes before attempting to relight if the fire is switched off or the flames

are extinguished for any reason.

• Get advice about the suitability of any wall covering near your fire. Soft wall coverings

(e.g. embossed vinyl, etc.) which have a raised pattern are easily affected by heat. They
may, therefore, scorch or become discoloured when close to a heating appliance.
Please bear this in mind whenever you are considering redecorating.

• Provide a minimum clearance of 100mm from the outside of the fire case to any corner

wall or other combustible surface that projects beyond the front of the appliance. On
the right hand side this is also the minimum recommended clearance to non­combustible surfaces to allow for access. On the left hand side a 10mm access
clearance from a non-combustible surface is recommended (See figure 1). Please bear
this in mind if ever you are altering the room.

DON’T

• Hang clothing, towels or any other fabrics over the fire.

• Throw paper or other materials onto your fire.

• Use the fire with damaged base coals.

• Put more loose coals on the fire than the number given in this guide or use any coals

other than those authorised for this fire. Incorrect combustion could result.

• Attempt to clean or service the fire until it has been switched off and allowed to cool

completely.

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 6

APPLIANCE DIMENSIONS

Figure 1. Appliance Dimensions

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 7

Figure 2. control

OPERATING YOUR FIRE

PLEASE NOTE

When operating your fire for the first time, some vapours may be given off which may
cause a slight odour and could possibly set off any smoke alarms in the immediate
vicinity. These vapours are quite normal with new appliances. They are totally harmless
and will disappear after a few hours use.

The Oxysafe flame sensing & flue blockage safety system.

For your safety, this appliance is fitted with a flue blockage safety device which will shut
down the appliance in the event of abnormal flue conditions. This device is NOT a

substitute for an independently mounted Carbon Monoxide detector.

The device will also automatically shut off the gas supply to the fire if the pilot flame
goes out due to lack of oxygen or for any other reason.

If this device starts to repeatedly shut off the gas, get expert advice.

This device incorporates a probe which senses that the heat from the pilot flame is
correct. If this probe is cool, the device will prevent any gas flow unless the control knob
is kept depressed at the “Pilot/Ign” position.
If, for any reason, the flames go out when the fire is hot or if the fire is turned off when
hot, always wait at least three minutes before attempting to relight.

Lighting the pilot

The control is shown in figure 2.

K Slide the control button to the bottom

(ignition) position marked

.
In this position, the electronic ignition
system should cause a series of sparks that
should light the pilot. Within four seconds
of the pilot igniting, the main burner should
light at its minimum setting.
If no sparks are produced to light the pilot,
the battery may need replacing. Details of
battery replacement are given further on in
this manual. Until you can obtain a
replacement battery the fire can be lit with a
taper as described later in the instructions.

K Keep the button at the ignition position

for a further ten seconds. This will prevent

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 8

Figure 3. Lighting with
a taper.

the flame sensing device from shutting off the gas while its probe warms up as explained
above.

K If low heat is required, release the button. The button will automatically spring up to

the low heat position shown in figure 2 (See note i).

K For a higher heat level slide the button upwards. The burner flames and heat output

will gradually increase until the button reaches the high heat position shown in figure 2.
When the button reaches the high heat position you will feel a check to its movement. Do
not slide the button above the high heat position unless you want to turn the fire off
(See note i).

Note

i. If the flames go out while setting the control, repeat the full lighting procedure. If

the flames repeatedly go out have the fire serviced.

ii. When first turned on the flames will appear predominantly blue. The coals will

take time to warm up. Although some glow will be seen after approximately ten minutes,
the full visual effect will only be apparent after a somewhat longer time.

iii. The appliance will operate to its maximum potential if the flue is primed during

the first 20 – 30 minutes of operation. To do this, simply slide the control to its highest
setting. This will also burn off any carbon deposits that may have formed during previous
operations.

iv. If operating the appliance for long periods it is beneficial to change between

settings. This will also help to remove any carbon deposits that may form during
operation.

Lighting with a taper

See figure 3.
In the unlikely event of failure of the ignition spark, the
pilot can be lit by a taper or long spill. Insert the taper or
spill alongside of the left side of the firebox and operating
the slide control as described above.

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 9

CLEANING

To maintain the high performance and quality finish of your Valor appliance, please
follow these guidelines:

• Before attempting to clean the fire, please remember to turn off the fire and wait for
the appliance to cool completely. The fire will retain heat for some time before cleaning
can begin.

• If any pieces of debris are found in the firebox, have the chimney inspected before
further use.

Metal Parts

• Clean the metal parts with a slightly damp cloth and then dry.

• Do not use abrasive cleaners as these will scratch the fire surface.

Ceramic Coals and Rear Wall

• Light coatings of soot will usually be burnt off during the normal operation of the fire.

• Should any soot accumulation become excessive, the fuel effect pieces and walls

should be removed from the fire for cleaning.

• This product uses fuel effect pieces, burner compartment rear wall and gaskets
containing Refractory Ceramic Fibres (RCF), which are man-made vitreous silicate
fibres. Excessive exposure to these materials may cause irritation to eyes, skin and
respiratory tract. Consequently, it is important to take care when handling these articles
to ensure that the release of dust is kept to a minimum. To ensure that the release of
fibres from these RCF articles is kept to a minimum, during installation and servicing we
recommend that you use a HEPA filtered vacuum to remove any dust and soot
accumulated in and around the fire before and after working on the fire. When replacing
these articles we recommend that the replaced items are not broken up, but are sealed
within a heavy duty polythene bag, clearly labelled as RCF waste. This is not classified
as “hazardous waste” and may be disposed of at a tipping site licensed for the disposal of
industrial waste. Protective clothing is not required when handling these articles, but we
recommend you follow the normal hygiene rules of not smoking, eating or drinking in
the work area and always wash your hands before eating or drinking.

• Cleaning should be carried out in a well ventilated area or in the open air by gently
brushing with the pieces held away from your face so that you avoid inhaling the dust.

• We suggest that you remove the coals in the reverse order to that shown in the fuel
bed refitting instructions.

Burner

• The burner surface can be carefully cleaned to remove any loose particles after taking
off the coals. Make sure that no particles are pushed into the burner slots.

Note: Surface cracking of the burner is normal and no cause for concern.

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 10

Figure 6. Front Base Coal
Position

Figure 5. Rear Base Coal
Position

Figure 4. Ceramic Rear Wall
Position

REFITTING THE CERAMICS

1. Fit the ceramic rear wall into the bracket at
the back of the firebox .See figure 4.

2. Place the rear base coal in the firebox. It
should rest on the ledges at the sides and back of
the firebox and its rear face should touch the rear
ceramic wall. See figure 5.

3. Place the front base coal in the firebox with
its bottom front locating over the front rim of the
firebox. Pull the coal forward so that it locates
immediately behind the front rim of the
firebox. See figure 6.

There are two types of loose coals. These are
identified with the letter “A” or “B” on the
underside of the coal.
There are three “A” coals and two “B” coals.

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 11

Figure 11

Figure 10

Figure 9

Figure 8

Figure 7

4. Place a type “A” coal between
the front and rear base coals with the
letter “A” upright and so that the
coal is against the left side of the
firebox. See figure 7.

5. Place a type “B” coal
between the front and rear base
coals as shown in figure 8. The
letter “B” should be upright.

6. Place a type “A” coal
between the front and rear base
coals with the letter “A” upright.
The top of the coal should rest
against the centre coal of the rear
base coal as shown in figure 9.

7. Place the remaining type “B”
coal at the right side of the firebox
between the front and rear base
coals. The letter “B” should be
upright. The coal should touch the
right side of the firebox. See
figure 10.

8. Place the remaining type
“A” coal between the front and
rear base coals. The letter “A”
should be upside down with its
rear face between the right and
centre coals of the rear base coal.
Angle the coal so that the gap
between it and the type “B” coal to
its right is appreciably larger than
the gap between it and the type “A”
coal to its left but do not have it
touching the type “A” coal. This
will give the best flame effect. See
figure 11.

OWNER’S GUIDE

Page 12

MAINTENANCE

Regular maintenance

In order to achieve and maintain high levels of personal safety and performance
efficiency, it is essential that the opening at the back of the fire and the flue are kept clear
of any form of obstruction. It is possible that deposits of mortar or soot could fall and
accumulate causing the flue to be blocked or restricted and so preventing proper
clearance of dangerous exhaust fumes.
In the United Kingdom it is the law that a landlord must have any gas appliance, flue and
pipework which is situated in a tenant’s premises checked for safety at least every twelve
months by a competent person (In the U.K, a CORGI registered installer).
We recommend that all gas appliances and their flues, wherever situated, are checked
annually.

Servicing

• In the United Kingdom servicing can be carried out either by a Valor service engineer

or a CORGI registered installer.

• If you require your fire to be serviced, please contact Valor Service on 08706 090

081 and quote the following details:

a) model name and number.
b) appliance serial no. (To be found on the plate close to the control knob.)

• If you wish to replace any of the owner replaceable parts listed below, please contact

Valor spares on 08706 00 454 for your nearest stockist of these parts. When ordering
please quote the part number shown below.

Owner Replaceable Parts
Description Part No

Ceramic rear wall 0579139
Front base coal 0579119
Rear base coal 0579129
Pack of 5 loose coals 0582839

• When fitting replacement parts, follow the instructions contained in this guide. It

is important that only Valor approved parts are used for maximum safety.

• In the United Kingdom, for general advice about gas and your gas fire call our

Technical Helpline 08706 061 065.

• In the Republic of Ireland call 0044 08706 061 065 for all enquiries.