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Electrical Supply
Circulating air blower electrical rating; 115V, 60 Hz, 1.1 A. For
your protection against shock hazard, use only a properly
grounded outlet that will accept a three-pronged plug. Do not
cut or remove the grounding prong. Do not route power cord
under unit. Power cord must be routed to avoid contact with
any hot or sharp surfaces.
Consult local codes or, in the absence of local codes, with the
current CSA C22.1 Canadian Electrical Code and in the USA
with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70 (latest edition).
Chimney Smoke and Creosote
Formation
When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other or-
ganic vapours, which combine with expelled moisture to form
creosote. The creosote vapours condense in the relatively
cool chimney fl ue of a slow burning fi re. As a result, creosote
residue accumulates on the fl ue lining. When ignited, this
creosote makes an extremely hot fi re. The chimney connector
and chimney should be inspected periodically (at least once
every two months) during the heating season to determine if
a creosote buildup has occurred. If creosote has accumulated
(3 mm. or more), it should be removed to reduce the risk of
a chimney fi re.
1. Highest smoke densities and emissions occur when a
large amount of wood is added to a bed of hot coals and
the air inlet is closed. The heated wood generates smoke,
but without ample air, the smoke cannot burn. Smoke-
free, clean burning requires small fuel loads, two or three
logs at a time or 1/4 to 1/2 of fuel load and leaving the air
inlet relatively wide open, especially during the fi rst 10 to
30 minutes after each loading, when most of the smoke
generating reactions are occurring. After 30 minutes or
so, the air inlet can be turned down substantially without
excessive smoke generation. Wood coals create very little
creosote-producing smoke.
2. The cooler the surface over which the wood smoke is pass-
ing, the more creosote will be condensed. Wet or green
wood contributes signifi cantly to creosote formation as the
excess moisture that is boiled off cools the fi re, making it
difficult for the tars and gases to ignite, thus creating dense
smoke and poor combustion. This moisture-laden smoke
cools the chimney, compounding the problem by offering
the smoke the ideal place to condense.
In summary, a certain amount of creosote is inevitable
and must be lived with. Regular inspection and cleaning
is the solution. The use of dry, seasoned wood and am-
ple combustion air will help to minimize annoying smoke
emissions and creosote buildup.
In summary, a certain amount of creosote is inevitable and
must be lived with. Regular inspection and cleaning is the
solution. The use of dry, seasoned wood and ample combus-
tion air will help to minimize the buildup.
©PACIFIC ENERGY FIREPLACE
16
PRODUCTS LTD.
Chimney Fires
The result of excessive creosote buildup is a chimney fi re.
Chimney fi res are dangerous. Chimney inside temperatures
can exceed 2000 degrees F. This causes much higher than
normal temperatures in the chimney and on its exterior sur-
faces thus ignition of nearby or touching combustible material
is more likely during a chimney fi re. Proper clearances are
critical if such a fi re should occur.
Chimney fi res are easy to detect; they usually involve one or
more of the following:
- Flames and sparks shooting out of the top of the chimney
- A roaring sound
- Vibration of the chimney
In Case of a Chimney Fire
1. Prepare to evacuate to ensure everyone's safety. Have
a well understood plan of action for evacuation. Have a
place outside where everyone is to meet.
2. Close air inlets on stove.
3. Call local fi re department. Have a fi re extinguisher handy.
Contact your local fi re authority for further information on
how to handle a chimney fi re. It is most important that
you have a clearly understood plan on how to handle a
chimney fi re.
4. After the chimney fi re is out, the chimney must be cleaned
and checked for stress and cracking before starting another
fi re. Also check combustibles around chimney and the
roof.
Avoiding a Chimney Fire
There are two ways to avoid chimney fi res:
1. Do not let creosote build up to a point where a chimney
fi re is possible.
2. Do not have fi res in the heater that may ignite chimney
fi res. These are hot fi res, such as when burning household
trash, cardboard, Christmas tree limbs, or even ordinary
fuel wood; (eg. with a full load on a hot bed of coals and
with the air inlet wide open).
ALT5.CPINSB 080515-24
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