Vermont Casting 2310 User Manual
Vigilant II
Coal Stove
Model #2310
Homeowner’s
Installation and
Operating
Instructions
For Use in North America
SAFETY NOTICE: IF THIS APPLIANCE IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, OPERATED AND
MAINTAINED, A HOUSE FIRE MAY RESULT.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. FAILURE
TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY OR
EVEN DEATH. CONTACT LOCAL BUILDING OFFICIALS ABOUT RESTRICTIONS AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR AREA.
Do Not Discard This Manual: Retain for Future Use
2000898 8/06 Rev. 7
Vermont Castings Vigilant
Welcome
Congratulations on your choice of a Vermont Castings Vigilant II Coal Stove. With this purchase, you have made a
commitment to make the hearth a place of warmth, beauty and comfort in your home. At Vermont Castings, we share
that joy and appreciation for the hearth, and we show it in all our cast-iron stoves and fireplaces.
As you become acquainted with your new stove or fireplace, you will find that its visual appearance is matched by its
functionality, due to cast iron’s unique capability to absorb and radiate heat.
Also, Vermont Castings products are among the cleanest-burning stoves and fireplaces available today. And as an
owner of a Vermont Castings stove, you are making a strong statement for pollution-free energy. But clean burning
depends on both the manufacturer and the operator. Please read this manual carefully to understand how to operate
your stove properly.
At Vermont Castings, we are equally committed to your satisfaction as a customer. That is why we maintain an exclusive network of the finest dealers in the industry. These dealers are chosen for their expertise and dedication to
customer service. They are factory-trained to know the most minute detail of every Vermont Castings product. Contact
your Authorized Vermont Castings Dealer anytime you have a particular question about your stove or its performance.
Be assured that your cast-iron Vermont Castings stove or fireplace has been made with the utmost care and will provide you with many years of service.
This manual contains valuable instructions on the installation and operation of your Vermont Castings stove. It also
contains useful information on maintenance and assembly of this product. We urge you to read the manual thoroughly
and to keep this manual as a reference.
Sincerely,
All of us at CFM Corporation
Table of Contents
Specifications ........................................................... 3
Installation ................................................................
Operation ...............................................................
Maintenance ..........................................................
Warranty .................................................................
16
19
27
The Vigilant II Coal Stove has been tested and is listed
by Warnock Hersey according to ANSI/UL 1482 for
the United States and AN/ULC S627 for Canada. The
4
Vigilant II Coal Stove is listed for burning coal. Do not
burn other fuels. The Vigilant II Coal Stove is not listed
for installation in mobile homes.
The Vermont Castings Vigilant II Coal Stove is exempt
from the standards set forth by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, 40 CFR Part 60.530 (g), as
stated on the permanent label attached to this appliance.
Proposition 65 Warning: Fuels used in gas, woodburning or oil fired appliances, and the products of
combustion of such fuels, contain chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm.
California Health & Safety Code Sec. 25249.6
2
2000898
Vigilant II Coal Stove Model #2310
VIGILANT
28¹⁄₄" (720mm)
31"
(787mm)
33
⁷⁄₈"
(861mm)
30" (762mm)
23" (584mm)
20¹⁄₂" (520mm)
28³⁄₈"
(721mm)
30¹⁄₂"
(775mm)
31³⁄₈"
(797mm)
33¹⁄₂"
(851mm)
20" (510mm)
7⁷⁄₈" Legs
10" Legs
7⁷⁄₈" Legs
10" Legs
Vermont Castings Vigilant
Specifications
Coal type ................................ Anthracite or bituminous
Coal size ....................................................... Pea or nut
Maximum heat output .......................... 50,000 Btu’s/hr*
Maximum area heated .................................. 2,000sq.ft.
Fuel Capacity ......................................... 45 lbs. (20 kg)
Fuel Loading ............................................................. top
Glass Panel ............................. Hi-temperature ceramic
Weight .................................................425 lbs. (212kg)
Flue exit position ..........................................Top or rear
Flue exit size ...............................................6” standard
...................................................................... 8” optional
*This value can vary depending on how the unit is
operated, and the type and moisture content of the fuel
used. Figure shown is based on maximum fuel consumption obtained under laboratory conditions and on
average efficiencies.
**These values are based on operation in building-code
conforming homes under typical winter climate conditions in New England. If your home is of nonstandard
construction (e.g. unusually well insulated, not insulated, built under ground, etc.) or if you live in a more
severe or more temperate climate, these figures amy
not apply. Since so many variables affect performance,
consult your Vermont Castings’ Authorized Dealer to
determine realistic expectations for your home.
Fig. 1 Vigilant II dimensions.
2000898
0898
3
Vermont Castings Vigilant
Installation
Codes and Listings
Conforming to local building codes will be an important
part of your planning. Local authorities make the final
decision on whether or not an installation will be approved. They need to know that your installation is safe
and meets local codes.
The metal label permanently attached to every Vermont
Castings stove indicates that the stove has been tested
to current UL and ULC standards, and gives the name
of the testing laboratory. Clearance and installation
information is also printed on the label. In most cases,
local authorities will accept the label as evidence that,
when the stove is installed according to the information
on the label and in this manual, the installation meets
codes and can be approved.
However, codes vary in different areas. Be sure to
review your installation plans with your local authority
before starting the installation. Check with your local
Vermont Castings Authorized Dealer for help in providing the necessary information to local officials.
This section will answer clearance and construction
questions for almost all installations. Your local Vermont Castings Authorized Dealer will also be able to
help. For questions left unanswered, we recommend
that you refer to the National Fire Protection Association
ANSI/NFPA 211-1988 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances, or in
Canada, CSA B365. These standards are the basis for
many national codes.
Remember, your local building official makes the final
decision on approvals of installations.
CAUTION: Follow all installation and use instructions
exactly. Failure to follow instructions may result in a
dangerous situation, including a chimney or house fire.
Chimneys and Draft
Understanding how your chimney contributes to stove
operation is essential if you are to obtain optimum performance from your Vigilant Coal Stove. The chimney
provides a safe pathway for hot smoke and exhaust
gases to exit from the stove, but in addition, the chimney strongly influences the “draft” necessary for operation of your stove.
Draft is the force which produces a flow of warm gases
up and out of the chimney, and draws fresh combus
tion air into the stove. Your Vigilant does not come
equipped with “draft”. Draft is the result of a difference
in weight (due largely to a difference in temperature)
between the gases inside the chimney, and gases outside the chimney. Because gas expands when heated,
-
warm gases inside the chimney weigh less than cool
gases outside. This weight difference creates the pressure necessary to produce and sustain draft.
As the lighter, more buoyant gases rise up the chimney,
draft causes a flow of cooler air into the stove. When
starting a fire in a cold stove on an unheated chimney, it
may be necessary to provide some assistance by igniting several sheets of crumpled newspaper which have
been placed in the flue collar area.
There are other factors which influence draft, such as
barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, the
height, configuration and size of the chimney, and the
airtightness of the home itself.
Improving Draft With Outside Air
In some modern, super-insulated homes, the air necessary for combustion is inadequate due to restricted air
infiltration into the dwelling. (Infiltrated air is simply
that air which finds its way into a home through various
cracks and openings in the foundation, along windows
and doors, and at other non-weathertight areas.) If the
stove is competing with kitchen or bath exhaust fans for
available air, the situation is aggravated further. Where
poor draft is the result of a low infiltration rate, opening a ground floor window in the vicinity of the stove,
or installing a permanent outside air supply, will often
alleviate the problem.
In some areas, bringing air for combustion from outside
the home directly to the air inlet of the stove is required
for new construction. When the air supply for the fire
is brought directly from the outside, it is not affected by
variations in air pressure within the house. Improved
stove performance often results. An Outside Air Adaptor Kit is available from your local Vermont Castings
Authorized Dealer.
How Draft Affects Stove Performance
A strong draft will allow you to successfully fine-tune
the Vigilant’s performance by adjusting the primary air
supply to determine the rate of combustion and heat
output. With a strong draft, you can restrict the primary
air supply and lower the heat output without risk of suffocating the fire.
A strong draft will be maintained by operating your
stove so that combustion gases entering the chimney
are hot, and stay hot. Air must not be allowed to enter
the chimney without first having passed through the
stove. Make sure that clean-out doors and thimbles are
sealed tightly, and that the chimney is structurally sound.
4
2000898
Vermont Castings Vigilant
2' Min.
2' Min.
3'
Min.
0 To 10'
3'
Min.
0 To 10'
Weak draft situations are characterized by smoking
and odor problems in the house, low heat output, and
difficulty maintaining a fire, especially at low thermostat
settings. The reverse situation, overdraft, is rare, but
can be recognized by short burn time, poor response
when trying to slow down the fire, or by any part of the
stove glowing red.
A more common cause of overdraft is inadequate
maintenance, such as worn gasket allowing uncontrolled air to enter the stove. Following recommended
maintenance procedures will ensure consistent stove
performance.
Following the stove manufacturer’s recommendation on
both chimney size and height will also help ensure adequate chimney flow capacity. Flow capacity measures
the ability of the chimney to evacuate combustion gases quickly. Even the strongest draft cannot overcome
an insufficient flow capacity; the result is a back up of
combustion gases in the chimney which forces smoke
out of chimney connector joints or the stove itself. Remember, the Vigilant and the chimney must function as
a unit. For optimum performance, they must be sized
properly for each other. Your Vermont Castings Authorized Dealer can help you assess your existing chimney
or plan a new one for best stove operation.
Chimney Guidelines
DO NOT CONNECT TO ANY AIR DISTRIBUTION DUCT OR SYSTEM.
New Chimneys
Both masonry and prefabricated metal chimneys work
well.
Prefabricated Doublewall Insulated Chimney
Tile-lined
Masonry
Chimney
Fig. 2 Chimney types.
A new masonry chimney should be constructed to conform to the standards of your local building code or a
recognized national code. Masonry chimneys must be
lined with code-approved masonry or pre-cast refractory tiles, stainless steel pipe suitable for use with coal,
or a code-approved poured-in-place liner. The chimney
must have a tight sealing clean-out door.
2000898
ST241
A new prefabricated metal chimney should be one tested and listed for use with solid-fuel burning appliances
to the High-Temperature (H.T.) Chimney Standard UL103-1985 (2100° F.) and have interior walls especially
designed for use with coal-burning stoves. Be sure to
follow the chimney manufacturer’s instructions exactly
when passing the chimney through a combustible wall
or ceiling. Special accessories may be necessary for
this type of installation.
The chimney should extend at least 3 feet above the
highest point where it passes through a roof, and at
least 2 feet higher than any portion of a building within
10 feet.
Reference
Point
Fig. 3 The 2’-3’-10’ chimney rule.
AC617
For proper draft and good performance, any chimney
used with a Vermont Castings wood or coal burning
stove should extend at least 16 feet above the flue col-
lar of the stove.
Existing Chimneys
An existing masonry chimney may work well, but be
sure to have it carefully inspected before using it. Defects may have gone unnoticed if the chimney previously was used only occasionally. Defects must be
repaired before the chimney is used with your stove.
If you are not sure that you can make the inspection
yourself, your local professional chimney sweep, building inspector, or fire inspector will be able to make the
inspection or direct you to someone who can.
The chimney should be thoroughly cleaned before being used with your stove.
First, check to see that the chimney has a lining. Do
not use an unlined chimney. Your local Vermont Castings Authorized Dealer or chimney sweep can help
you with information about approved chimney lining
systems. In addition, look for and repair (if necessary)
these defects: (Fig. 4)
A. Improper chimney height and roof clearance; check
local building codes for proper construction.
B. Chimney cap deterioration; rebuild.
C. Creosote stains indicate flue damage; inspect and
repair.
5
Vermont Castings Vigilant
A
B
C
E
D
F
G
H
I
J
H
J. Loose or broken clean-out door; repair or replace.
Existing masonry chimneys, especially older ones, may
have two or more openings through the chimney walls
to the same flue. The openings were used to connect
stoves in different rooms to the chimney. The unused
openings must be sealed with masonry to the thickness
of the chimney wall. Unused openings sealed with
pie plates or wallpaper are a hazard. In the event of a
chimney fire, flames and smoke may be forced out of
these unused thimbles.
DO NOT CONNECT YOUR STOVE OR INSERT TO A
CHIMNEY FLUE SERVING ANOTHER APPLIANCE.
Chimney Size
When outfitted with the standard 6” (150 mm) flue collar, The Vigilant II Coal Stove is designed to perform
well when vented through flues that have these dimensions:
Prefabricated
Round Liner, I.D. 6” (150 mm)
Fig. 6 Existing chimney.
D. Blockage within flue; remove.
E. Improper clearance between chimney and com-
bustible materials. Generally, a clearance of 2” (50
mm.) is required to all combustible walls and framing
members; check local codes.
F. Improper clearance between smoke chamber and
adjacent framing members; check local codes.
G. Creosote accumulation; chimney needs thorough
cleaning.
H. Structural deterioration of the fireplace; must be
repaired before use.
I. Loose or broken bricks or mortar; replace and
remortar.
ST562
6
Masonry
Square Liner 8” x 8” (nominal)
Rectangular Liner 7” x 11” (nominal)
Round Liner 6” (inside dimensions)
A Vigilant II Coal Stove equipped with the optional 8”
(200 mm) flue collar is designed to perform well when
vented through flues that have these dimensions:
Prefabricated
Round Liner 8” (inside dimension)
Masonry
Square Liner 8” x 8” (nominal)
Rectangular Liner 8” x 12” (nominal)
Round Liner 8” (inside dimensions)
CHIMNEYS WITH LINERS LARGER THAN 8” X 12”
MAY EXPERIENCE RAPID COOLING OF COMBUSTION GASES AND REDUCTION IN DRAFT, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE
HOME.
These large chimneys may need to be insulated or the
flues re-lined for good stove performance. Vermont
Castings offers chimney lining accessories to help
make the connection between stainless steel chimney
liners and our stoves and fireplaces.
If you are planning to vent a small stove into a large
flue, particularly an exterior masonry flue, you may find
it necessary to insulate the chimney, reline the chimney,
or operate the stove with the damper open to maintain
high flue temperatures.
2000898
Vermont Castings Vigilant
20" (510mm)
18"
(460mm)
Clearances
Your stove and chimney connector will radiate energy
in all directions when in operation. An important part
of planning a safe installation is to be sure combustible
materials near your stove do not overheat due to inadequate clearance.
Clearance is the distance between your stove (or chimney connector) and nearby walls, ceiling, and floors, as
well as other combustible materials. Correct clearance
must also be maintained to moveable items, such as
furniture, newspapers, or clothes left to dry near the
stove. Keep all combustibles a considerable distance
away from the stove; 48” is a good minimum clearance. Installing your Vigilant to the tested clearance
and keeping those clearance areas empty assures that
nearby surfaces will not overheat.
Clearances must be large enough so that furniture and
other combustibles near your stove will not overheat
and catch fire. Wood framing that is part of a wall
or floor will dry as it ages, and its ignition point (the
temperature at which it will start to burn) will be lowered. The change may take place slowly over a period
of many years, or more quickly if the wood is near a
source of heat such as a stove.
Your Vermont Castings Vigilant II Coal Stove has been
carefully and thoroughly tested by independent testing laboratories to determine safe clearances. During
testing, heat sensors installed in all surfaces near the
stove and chimney connector, including floors and ceilings, show the temperatures reached during a variety
of combustion situations. Clearance distances are
accepted only when the sensors show the stove is far
enough from nearby surfaces to meet strict UL or ULC
standards.
The clearance distance must be empty except for noncombustible heat shields. Air flowing between the stove
(and/or chimney connector) and nearby shields carries away heat. Do not block the air flow by filling this
empty space with any insulating material.
Clearance Reductions
When no shields are used, empty space alone provides
protection against overheating. When shields are used,
it is usually possible to reduce the required clearance,
as the shields offer additional protection.
Stove shields and connector shields (used only on
single-wall connectors) attach directly to the stove or
connector. Wall shields attach to wall surfaces. Combinations of the these shield types may be used.
When shields are attached to the stove or chimney connector, they are mounted 1” - 2” away from the stove
or connector surface on non-combustible spacers. The
shiny shield surface facing the heat source must be left
unpainted, enabling it to reflect heat back towards the
stove or connector and away from the wall.
The greatest clearance reductions result from using
both stove and chimney connector shields in conjunc-
tion with walls which are protected with wall shields.
Unprotected Walls
Clearances With No Heat Shields
If the Vigilant is installed parallel to the rear wall (parallel installation) and no shields are used, the stove must
be at least 20” (510 mm) from the wall behind it, and at
least 18” (460 mm) from walls beside it.
Using The Clearance Chart
If your stove will be parallel to the wall behind it (parallel
installation), use the columns of the chart labelled “side”
and “rear”. If your stove will be installed in a corner
(corner installation), use the columns labelled “corner”.
Your stove will be in either a parallel or a corner installation, not both. Use only the part of the chart that applies to your installation. Note: Side clearances do not
apply to corner installations.
Measure clearance between the edge of the stove’s top
plate and the nearby combustible surface. For most
common installations, when the stove has the proper
clearance from nearby surfaces, the chimney connector
will also have the proper clearance. However, installations vary. It is important to double check all installations for proper chimney connector clearance, as well
as stove clearance.
2000898
ST683
Fig. 5 Minimum clearances, parallel installation, no heat
shield.
7
Vermont Castings Vigilant
16" (410mm)
16"
(410mm)
20" (510mm)
18"
(460mm)
13" (330mm)
18"
(460mm)
If the Vigilant is installed in a corner (corner installation)
and no shields are used, the corners of the stove must
be at least 16” (410 mm) from nearby walls. (Fig. 6)
ST684
Fig. 6 Minimum clearance, corner installation, no heat shield.
Measure these distances from the edge of the top plate
of the stove nearest the wall to the combustible part of
the wall.
Unshielded single wall chimney connectors must be a
minimum of 17” (430 mm) from the wall or ceiling.
Clearances With Only the
Stove Rear Heat Shield
If you install a Vigilant with a rear heat shield in a
parallel installation, but use no chimney connector heat
shields, different clearances will be required for top-exiting and rear-exiting stoves.
For top-exiting stoves, clearance to the rear wall is
determined by heat from the unshielded chimney con-
nector, not heat from the stove. Stove placement must
ensure that the unshielded connector cannot overheat
the rear wall. Reminder: Use the Flue Collar Heat
Shield (#140-0924) included with the Rear Heat Shield
#0175 to protect the area directly behind the flue collar.
Rear clearance must be a minimum of 20” (510 mm),
measured from the edge of the stove top to the rear
wall. Side clearance is determined by heat from the
stove. It must be a minimum of 18” (460 mm) , measured from the edge of the stove top to the combustible
component of the unprotected wall. (Fig. 7)
For rear-exiting stoves, both rear and side clearances
are determined by the heat from the stove (provided
that the connector does not pass near a combustible
surface).
The rear heat shield protects the wall behind the stove
so that clearance may be reduced to 13” (330 mm),
measured from the rear edge of the stove’s top plate
to the combustible part of the wall. Side clearance remains the same — 18”, measured from the edge of the
stove top to the side wall. (Fig. 8)
ST686
Fig. 8 Minimum clearance, rear exit, rear heat shield.
For corner instllations, the clearance is 16”, measured
from the corners of the stove perpendicular to the wall.
Clearances With Double-wall Connectors,
Or Single-wall Connectors And Connector
Heat Shields
The Vigilant II Coal Stove listing includes using singlewall or double-wall chimney connectors. The rows
of the clearance chart labelled “Chimney Connector
Clearance” give clearances measured from the chimney connector to nearby walls and ceilings. (“Ceilings”
is emphasized to remind you that ceiling clearance is
an important clearance that is sometimes overlooked.)
Be sure to double-check chimney connector clearances
before completing your installation.
Reminder: For top-exiting stoves using a rear heat
shield, install the Flue Collar Heat Shield (#140-0924),
included with the Rear Heat Shield #0175, to protect
the area directly behind the flue collar. Instructions are
included with the heat shield package.
When using a chimney connector heat shield on a
single-wall connector, it may only extend 24” (610 mm)
above the flue collar. The shield must come down to
meet the top of the Flue Collar Heat Shield. (Fig. 9)
Fig. 7 Minimum clearance, parallel installation, rear heat
shield.
8
ST685
2000898
VIGILANT
24"
(610mm)
Max.
Prefabricated
13" (330mm)
18"
(460mm)
Chimney
Single-wall
Chimney Connector
Chimney
Connector
Heat Shield
Bottom
Heat
Shield
ST687
Fig. 9 Chimney connector heat shields may be used to reduce clearances when single-wall connectors are used.
Clearances With Double Wall Chimney
Connectors And Rear Stove Heat Shields
When a rear heat shield is used on the stove and a
double wall chimney connector is used, the rear clearance is 15¹⁄₂" (395 mm) and the chimney connector
clearance is 12" (300 mm).
Clearances With Single-wall Chimney
Connectors, Connector Shields And Rear
Stove Heat Shields
Use of both stove and chimney connector heat shields,
on single-wall connectors, in top-exiting installations
reduces the required clearance. (Fig. 10)
Vermont Castings Vigilant
Protected Walls
A properly constructed wall shield may be used to
change an unprotected wall to a protected wall, allowing the clearances given in the right half of the Clearance Chart.
Wall shields should be
constructed of 24 gauge
or heavier sheetmetal,
1/2” noncombustible insulation board, or common
brick laid on flat (3¹⁄₂" side
down). Shields must be
spaced out from the combustible wall or ceiling 1"
on noncombustible spacers. The spacers should
not be directly behind the
stove or chimney connector.
Air must be able to flow
between the wall and the
shield. At least one-half
(50%) of the bottom 1"
of the shield should be
open and the shield must
stop 1" from the ceiling.
Protect the top opening
with metal screening to
Fig. 11 Wall shield construction.
prevent objects from falling behind the shield.
Rear wall shields must extend 18" above the top of the
stove or to within 1" of the ceiling, must be centered
behind the stove, and must be a minimum of 48" (1220
mm) wide by 48" high.
Side wall shields must be 48" (1220 mm) wide by 44"
high, and must extend 15" (380 mm) beyond the front
of the stove as measured from a point on the wall that
is on the same plane as the door glass.
Air Flow
Wall Shield
Stud Wall Fram
ing
Noncombustible
Spacer and
Fasteners
Drywall
Air Flow
ST248
-
Fig. 10 Minimum clearance, chimney connector heat shield,
rear heat shield.
ST688
2000898
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