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A. Negative pressure in the house
As the fire burns, air goes up the chimney.
This air must be replaced through leakage
into the house or through the outside air duct
(optional). When operating the WRT3820WS
fireplace, open a nearby window temporarily
to check if there is adequate replacement air
supply.
B. Fans operating (e.g.: range hood)
These fans draw air out of the house and
may actually cause a negative pressure in the
house. Turn off all fans and open a nearby
window to determine if this is the cause of
the problem.
C. Wet wood
Wet or tarred wood will smoulder and smoke
instead of burning properly. Your dealer
can help you determine if you have properly
seasoned wood for burning.
D. Dirty or blocked chimney
Check to make sure the chimney is clear and
clean. If dirty call a certified chimney sweep
or use a properly sized chimney brush to
clean.
E. Chimney not long enough
The minimum chimney height is twelve
(12) feet (3.7 m) not including the fireplace
height. The chimney must extend at least
three (3) feet (915 mm) above its point
of contact with the roof and at least two
(2) feet (610 mm) higher than any roof or
wall within ten (10) feet (3 m) of it. When
installed with offsets, the minimum chimney
height is fifteen (15) feet (4.6 m). Additional
height will increase draft and will decrease
the tendency to smoke.
F. Poor chimney draft
With no fire, there should be sufficient draft to
exhaust cigarette smoke introduced under the
baffle. Chimneys installed against an outside
wall without protection or a basement installa-
tion may generate back draft problems which
will cause start-up problems. To prevent this,
open a nearby window, roll up a piece of paper
and light it. Then, hold it in the upper part of
the firebox to warm up the chimney. Wait until
the draft is sufficient, then start the fire.
IMPORTANT CAUTIONS
A. Do not block the hot air vents to the fireplace
as this will cause the fireplace to overheat.
B. Never use gasoline, gasoline-type lantern
fuel, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, or
similar liquids to start or 'freshen up' a fire
in this fireplace. Keep all such liquids well
away from the fireplace while it is in use.
C. Do not burn coal. The sulphur in coal will
corrode the firebox and chimney.
D. Do not burn driftwood which has been in the
ocean or salt water. The salt will corrode
the firebox and chimney.
E. Do not burn wood in the area in front of the
grate.
F. Do not abuse the unit by burning paper, or
cardboard or construction material such as
pressed wood, plywood or lumber.
G. Do not allow the wood to smoulder or burn
without flame, since this will produce
excessive creosote in the unit as well as
increased particulate emissions.
Smoke Detectors
Since there are always several potential sources
of fire in any home, we recommend installing
smoke detectors. If possible, install the smoke
detector in a hallway adjacent to the room
(to reduce the possibility of occasional false
activation from the heat produced by these
appliances). If your local code requires a smoke
detector be installed within the same room, you
must follow the requirements of your local code.
Check with your local building department for
requirements in your area.
Carbon Monoxide Monitor Recommended
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Early signs of
carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu
with headaches, dizziness and/or nausea. If you
have these signs, obtain fresh air immediately.
Turn off the gas supply to the appliance and
have it serviced by a qualified professional, as
it may not be operating correctly. Some people
are more affected by carbon monoxide than
others, including pregnant women, people with
heart or lung disease or anemia, those under the
influence of alcohol, and those at high altitudes.
It is against federal regulations to operate
wood heaters in a manner inconsistent with
operating instructions in the manual.
MAINTAINING YOUR WRT3820WS
FIREPLACE
Creosote - Formation and Need for Removal
When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar
and other organic vapors, which combine
with expelled moisture to form creosote. The
creosote vapors condense in the relatively
cool chimney flue of a slow-burning fire. As
a result, creosote residue accumulates on the
flue lining. When ignited this creosote makes
an extremely hot fire.
The chimney shall be inspected at least twice
a year during the heating season to determine
when a creosote buildup has occurred.
When creosote has accumulated it shall be
removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
When the creosote accumulation is large, a
creosote fire in the chimney can damage the
chimney and overheat the surrounding wood
framing. Creosote formation in a chimney can
be minimized by making sure there is always
visible flame burning, avoid smouldering fires
and by proper refuelling techniques.
NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.
Chimney Maintenance
Regular chimney inspection and maintenance
combined with proper operation will prevent
chimney fires. Keep your chimney clean. Do not
allow more than 1/16" (1.6 mm) creosote build
up in your chimney. The amount of creosote
will depend on variables such as frequency of
use and type of fire. We recommend that you:
A. Initially inspect the chimney system weekly.
From this, you will learn how often it will be
necessary to clean your chimney.
B. Have your chimney cleaned by a qualified
chimney sweep. If you wish to clean it
yourself, we recommend using a stiff plastic
or non-metallic brush. If a metal brush is
used, its size should be slightly smaller than
the flue to avoid damaging the chimney. Do
not use a brush that will scratch the stainless
steel interior of the chimney.
C. Do not expect chemical cleaners to keep
your chimney clean. The rain cap can be
removed for inspection and/or cleaning of
the chimney.
Dealing With a Chimney Fire
Regular chimney maintenance and inspection
can prevent chimney fires. If you have a chimney
fire, follow these steps:
1. Close the fireplace door and the combustion
air controls.
2. Alert your family of the possible danger.
3. If you require assistance, alert your fire
department.
4. If possible, use a dry chemical fire extin-
guisher, baking soda or sand to control the
fire. Do not use water as it may cause a
dangerous steam explosion.
5. Check outside to ensure that sparks and hot
embers coming out of the chimney are not
igniting the roof.
6. Do not use the fireplace again until your
chimney and fireplace have been inspected
by a qualified chimney sweep or a Fire De-
partment Inspector.
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