Soot Or Creosote Fire; High Ash Fuel Content Maintenance - Quadra-Fire MTVERNON-AE-CSB Owner's Manual

MT. VERNON AE
13. Soot and Fly Ash: Formation & Need for Removal
in Exhaust Venting System.
• Frequency: Prior to each burn season and after
prolonged shut down.
• By: Qualified Service Technician/Homeowner
The products of combustion will contain small particles
of flash. The flash will collect in the exhaust venting
system and restrict the flow of the flue gases. Incom-
plete combustion, such as occurs during startup, shut-
down, or incorrect operation of the room heater will lead
to some soot formation which will collect in the exhaust
venting system. The exhaust venting system should be
inspected at least once every year to determine if clean-
ing is necessary.
The venting system may need to be cleaned at least once
a year or more often depending upon the quality of your
fuel or if there is a lot of horizontal pipe sections. Ash will
build up more quickly in the horizontal sections.
14. Preparing Firebox for Non-Burn Season
• Frequency: Yearly at end of burn season
• By: Homeowner
a. The appliance must be in complete shutdown and
allow the appliance to completely cool down.
b. Remove all ash from firebox and vacuum thoroughly.
c. Paint all exposed steel, including cast-iron. Use the
Touch-Up paint supplied with the appliance or purchase
paint from your local dealer. You must use a high-tem-
perature paint made specifically for heating appliances.
d. Cleaning the flue at the end of the burn season will
prevent corrosives to build-up and damage the flue.
e. Outside temperatures should have no affect on the
performance of the appliance under freezing conditions.
15. Creosote Formation: Guidance on minimizing
• Frequency: Periodically during heating season
• By: Qualified Service Technician/Homeowner
This chimney should be inspected periodically during the
heating season to determine if a creosote build-up has oc-
curred. If a significant layer of creosote has accumulated
(3mm or more) it should be removed to reduce the risk of
chimney fire.
• This unit is required to be cleaned
frequently because soot creosote and
ash may accumulate.
26
NOTE
D. Soot or Creosote Fire
Establish a routine for the fuel, wood burner and firing tech-
nique. Check daily for creosote build-up until experience
shows how often you need to clean to be safe. Be aware that
the hotter the fire the less creosote is deposited, and weekly
cleaning may be necessary in the mild weather even though
monthly cleaning may be enough in the coldest months.
Contact your local municipal or provincial fire authority for
information on how to handle a chimney fire.
In the event of a soot or creosote fire, close the firebox
door, exit the building immediately and contact the proper
fire authorities.
DO NOT under any circumstances re-enter the building.
E. High Ash Fuel Content Maintenance
• Frequency: When the ash build-up exceeds the half
way point in the firepot
• By: Homeowner
If the ash build-up exceeds the half way point in the firepot
before it automatically cleans, then the firepot is not being
cleaned often enough.
Another symptom is if clinkers are adhering to the sides of
the firepot.
Double check the wall control to ensure the proper setting has
been selected for the fuel you are burning. If that is correct,
change the setting to "Utility Pellet".
NOTE: You will need to empty the ash pan more fre-
quently if using the "Utility Pellet" setting.
WARNING! Risk of Fire and Smoke!
• High ash fuels or lack of maintenance can cause firepot to
overfill. Follow proper shutdown procedure if ash buildup
exceeds half way point in firepot.
• Failure to do so could result in smoking, sooting and pos-
sible hopper fires.
Pellets Back-Up
in Feed Tube
Ash Build-Up in Firebox
Figure 26.1
7034-276
Firepot Overfills
January 29, 2014