Empire Comfort Systems VF24FP2-1 Quick start guide

Page 120248-2-0806
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
AND
OWNER'S MANUAL
UNVENTED
GAS FIREPLACE
MODELS
VF24FP2-1
VF24FP3-1
EFFECTIVE DATE
AUGUST 2006
The Vail Vent-Free Gas Fireplaces
This appliance may be installed in an aftermar-
ket, permanently located, manufactured (mobile)
home, where not prohibited by local codes.
This appliance is only for use with the type of gas
indicated on the rating plate. This appliance is not
convertible for use with other gases.
This is an unvented gas-fired heater. It uses air
(oxygen) from the room in which it is installed.
Provisions for adequate combustion and ventila-
tion air must be provided. Refer to page 6.
WATER VAPOR: A BY-PRODUCT OF
UNVENTED ROOM HEATERS
Water vapor is a by-product of gas combustion.
An unvented room heater produces approximate-
ly one (1) ounce (30ml) of water for every 1,000
BTU's (.3KW's) of gas input per hour. Refer to
page 6.
WARNING: If not installed, operated and main-
tained in accordance with the manufacturer's in-
structions, this product could expose you to sub-
stances in fuel or from fuel combustion which can
cause death or serious illness.
— Do not store or use gasoline or other flamma-
ble vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or
any other appliance.
— WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS
• Do not try to light any appliance.
• Do not touch any electrical switch; do not
use any phone in your building.
• Immediately call your gas supplier from a
neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas suppli-
er’s instructions.
• If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call
the fire department.
— Installation and service must be performed by
a qualified installer, service agency or the gas
supplier.
WARNING: If the information in these instruc-
tions are not followed exactly, a fire or explosion
may result causing property damage, personal
injury or loss of life.
Installer: Leave this manual with the appli-
ance.
Consumer: Retain this manual for future refer-
ence.

Page 2 20248-2-0806
SECTION PAGE
Important Safety Information ................................................................................................................... 3
Safety Information for Users of LP Gas .................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Specifications ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Water Vapor: A By-Product of Unvented Room Heaters ........................................................................... 6
Provisions for Adequate Combustion and Ventilation Air ..................................................................... 6-7
Gas Supply ................................................................................................................................................. 8
Clearances .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Combustible Material ................................................................................................................................ 9
Installation of Fireplace Into Mantel ........................................................................................................ 10
Built-In Fireplace Installation .................................................................................................................. 11
Log Placement .......................................................................................................................................... 12
Placement of Glowing Embers ( Rock Wool) .......................................................................................... 12
Operation Instructions/Flame Appearance ............................................................................................... 12
VF24FP3-1 Lighting Instructions ............................................................................................................ 13
VF24FP2-1 Lighting Instructions ............................................................................................................ 14
Pilot Flame Characteristics ................................................................................................................ 15-16
Main Burner and Thermostat Operation .................................................................................................. 16
VF24FP2-1 Conversion to 10,000 BTU's for Bedroom Installation ....................................................... 16
Wiring ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Parts List .................................................................................................................................................. 19
How to Order Repair Parts ....................................................................................................................... 19
Parts View ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Optional Brick Liner Installation Instructions ......................................................................................... 21
Optional Blower Installation Instructions .......................................................................................... 22-25
Parts List and Parts View for Optional Trim Kits .................................................................................... 26
Service Notes ........................................................................................................................................... 27
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 320248-2-0806
When used without adequate combustion and ventilation air,
heater may give off CARBON MONOXIDE, an odorless,
poisonous gas.
Do not install heater until all necessary provisions are
made for combustion and ventilation air. Consult the writ-
ten instructions provided with the heater for information
concerning combustion and ventilation air. In the absence
of instructions, refer to the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1, Section 5.3 or applicable local codes.
This heater is equipped with a PILOT LIGHT SAFETY
SYSTEM designed to turn off the heater if not enough fresh
air is available.
DO NOT TAMPER WITH PILOT LIGHT SAFETY
SYSTEM!
If heater shuts off, do not relight until you provide fresh air.
If heater keeps shutting off, have it serviced. Keep burner and
control compartment clean.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING MAY LEAD TO
DEATH.
Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning resemble the flu,
with headache, dizziness and/or nausea. If you have these signs,
heater may not be working properly. Get fresh air at once!
Have heater serviced.
Some people — pregnant women, persons with heart or lung
disease, anemia, those under the influence of alcohol , those at
high altitudes — are more affected by carbon monoxide than
others.
The pilot light safety system senses the depletion of oxygen at its
location. If this heater is installed in a structure having a high
vertical dimension, the possibility exists that the oxygen supply
at the higher levels will be less than that at the heater. In this type
of application, a fan to circulate the structure air will minimize
this effect. The use of this fan will also improve the comfort level
in the structure. When a fan is used to circulate air, it should be
located so that the air flow is not directed at the burner.
WARNING
• An unvented room heater having an input rating of
more than 6,000 Btu per hour shall not be installed in a
bathroom.
• An unvented room heater having an input rating of
more than 10,000 Btu per hour shall not be installed in
a bedroom or bathroom.
• Due to high temperatures, the appliance should be located
out of traffic and away from furniture and draperies.
• Children and adults should be alerted to the hazard of
high surface temperature and should stay away to avoid
burns or clothing ignition.
• Young children should be carefully supervised when they
are in the same room with the appliance.
• Do not place clothing or other flammable material on or
near the appliance.
• Installation and repair should be done by a QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSON. This appliance should be inspected
before use and at least annually by a professional service
person. More frequent cleaning may be required due to
excessive lint from carpeting, bedding materials, etc. It
is imperative that control compartments, burners and
circulating air passageways of the appliance be kept
clean.
• DO NOT use this fireplace if any part has been under
water. Immediately call a qualified service technician
to inspect the fireplace and to replace any part of the
control system and any gas control which has been under
water.
• You must operate fireplace with fireplace screen closed in
place. Do not close glass doors while operating heater.
• Do not place trash, logs or other articles on the log set
during operation.
• During manufacturing, fabricating and shipping, various
components of this appliance are treated with certain
oils, films or bonding agents. These bonding agents are
not harmful but may produce annoying smoke and
smells as they are burned off during initial operation of
the appliance. This is a normal temporary occurrence.
A window should be opened during the initial bake out
period.
• Correct installation of the ceramic fiber logs, proper
location of the fireplace and annual cleaning are necessary
to avoid potential problems with sooting. Sooting, resulting
from improper installation or operation, can settle on
surfaces outside the fireplace. See instructions for proper
installation.
• WARNING: Do not allow fans to blow directly into
the fireplace. Avoid any drafts that alter burner flame
patterns.
• WARNING: Do not use a blower insert, heat exchanger
insert or other accessory not approved for use with this
heater.
• WARNING! This fireplace needs fresh air for ventilation
to operate properly. This fireplace has an ODS (oxygen
depletion sensor) which will shut off the fireplace if
adequate fresh air is not available.
• Keep appliance area clear and free from combustible
materials, gasoline and other flammable vapors and
liquids.
THIS IS A HEATING APPLIANCE
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Page 4 20248-2-0806
Some people cannot smell well. Some people cannot smell the
odor of the chemical put into the gas. You must find out if you
can smell the odorant in propane. Smoking can decrease your
ability to smell. Being around an odor for a time can affect your
sensitivity or ability to detect that odor. Sometimes other odors
in the area mask the gas odor. People may not smell the gas odor
or their minds are on something else. Thinking about smelling a
gas odor can make it easier to smell.
The odorant in LP-gas is colorless, and it can fade under some
circumstances. For example, if there is an underground leak, the
movement of the gas through soil can filter the odorant. Odorants
in LP-Gas also are subject to oxidation. This fading can occur if
by point with the members of your household. Someday
when there may not be a minute to lose, everyone's safety
will depend on knowing exactly what to do. If, after read-
ing the following information, you feel you still need more
information, please contact your gas supplier.
Propane (LP-Gas) is a flammable gas which can cause fires
and explosions. In its natural state, propane is odorless and
colorless. You may not know all the following safety precau-
tions which can protect both you and your family from an
accident. Read them carefully now, then review them point
there is rust inside the storage tank or in iron gas pipes.
The odorant in escaped gas can adsorb or absorb onto or into
walls, masonry and other materials and fabrics in a room. That
will take some of the odorant out of the gas, reducing its odor
intensity.
LP-Gas may stratify in a closed area, and the odor intensity
could vary at different levels. Since it is heavier than air, there
may be more odor at lower levels. Always be sensitive to the
slightest gas odor. If you detect any odor, treat it as a serious
leak. Immediately go into action as instructed earlier.
• Learn to recognize the odor of LP-gas. Your local LP-Gas
Dealer can give you a "Scratch and Sniff" pamphlet. Use it
to find out what the propane odor smells like. If you suspect
that your LP-Gas has a weak or abnormal odor, call your
LP-Gas Dealer.
• If you are not qualified, do not light pilot lights, perform
service, or make adjustments to appliances on the LP-Gas
system. If you are qualified, consciously think about the
odor of LP-Gas prior to and while lighting pilot lights or
performing service or making adjustments.
• Sometimes a basement or a closed-up house has a musty
smell that can cover up the LP-Gas odor. Do not try to light
pilot lights, perform service, or make adjustments in an area
where the conditions are such that you may not detect the
odor if there has been a leak of LP-Gas.
• Odor fade, due to oxidation by rust or adsorption on walls
of new cylinders and tanks, is possible. Therefore, people
should be particularly alert and careful when new tanks or
cylinders are placed in service. Odor fade can occur in new
tanks, or reinstalled old tanks, if they are filled and allowed
to set too long before refilling. Cylinders and tanks which
have been out of service for a time may develop internal rust
which will cause odor fade. If such conditions are suspected
to exist, a periodic sniff test of the gas is advisable. If you
have any question about the gas odor, call your LP-gas
dealer. A periodic sniff test of the LP-gas is a good safety
measure under any condition.
• If, at any time, you do not smell the LP-Gas odorant and you
think you should, assume you have a leak. Then take the same
immediate action recommended above for the occasion when
you do detect the odorized LP-Gas.
• If you experience a complete "gas out," (the container is un-
der no vapor pressure), turn the tank valve off immediately.
If the container valve is left on, the container may draw in
some air through openings such as pilot light orifices. If this
occurs, some new internal rusting could occur. If the valve is
left open, then treat the container as a new tank. Always be
sure your container is under vapor pressure by turning it off
at the container before it goes completely empty or having
it refilled before it is completely empty.
• Do not operate electric switches, light matches, use your
phone. Do not do anything that could ignite the gas.
• Get everyone out of the building, vehicle, trailer, or area. Do
that IMMEDIATELY.
• Close all gas tank or cylinder supply valves.
• LP-Gas is heavier than air and may settle in low areas such
as basements. When you have reason to suspect a gas leak,
keep out of basements and other low areas. Stay out until
firefighters declare them to be safe.
• Use your neighbor's phone and call a trained LP-Gas service
person and the fire department. Even though you may not
continue to smell gas, do not turn on the gas again. Do not
re-enter the building, vehicle, trailer, or area.
• Finally, let the service man and firefighters check for escaped
gas. Have them air out the area before you return. Properly
trained LP-Gas service people should repair the leak, then
check and relight the gas appliance for you.
SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER
NO ODOR DETECTED - ODOR FADE
LP-GAS WARNING ODOR
If a gas leak happens, you should be able to smell the gas because of the odorant put in the LP-Gas.
That's your signal to go into immediate action!
SAFETY INFORMATION FOR USERS OF LP-GAS

Page 520248-2-0806
instructions.
Any alteration of the original design, installed other than as
shown in these instructions or use with a type of gas not shown
on the rating plate is the responsibility of the person and com-
pany making the change.
Important
All correspondence should refer to complete Model Number, Serial
Number and type of gas.
Attention: During initial use of ceramic log you will detect an
odor as the ceramic log is cured. Also, during the curing process
the ceramic log will burn with a yellow flame.
Notice: During initial firing of this unit, its paint will bake out, and
smoke will occur. To prevent triggering of smoke alarms, ventilate
the room in which the unit is installed.
Installation on Rugs and Tile
If this appliance is installed directly on carpeting, tile or other
combustible material other than wood flooring the appliance shall
be installed on a metal or wood panel extending the full width and
depth of the appliance.
The base referred to above does not mean the fire-proof base as
used on wood stoves. The protection is for rugs that are extremely
thick and light colored tile.
Solid-fuels shall not be burned in a masonry or UL 127 factory-
built fireplace in which an unvented room heater is installed.
Qualified Installing Agency
Installation and replacement of gas piping, gas utilization equip-
ment or accessories and repair and servicing of equipment shall
be performed only by a qualified agency. The term "qualified
agency" means any individual, firm, corporation or company which
either in person or through a representative is engaged in and is
responsible for (a) the installation or replacement of gas piping or
(b) the connection, installation, repair or servicing of equipment,
who is experienced in such work, familiar with all precautions re-
quired and has complied with all the requirements of the authority
having jurisdiction.
State of Massachusetts: The installation must be made by a
licensed plumber or gas fitter in the Commonwealth of Mas-
sachusetts.
Sellers of unvented propane or natural gas-fired supplemental
room heaters shall provide to each purchaser a copy of 527
CMR 30 upon sale of the unit.
In the State of Massachusetts, unvented propane and natural
gas-fired space heaters shall be prohibited in bedrooms and
bathrooms.
The installation must conform with local codes or, in the absence
of local codes, with the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1.*
*Available from the American National Standards Institute, Inc. 1430 Broadway,
New York, N.Y. 10018.
High Altitudes
For altitudes/elevations above 2,000 feet (610m), ratings should be
reduced at the rate of 4 percent for each 1,000 feet (305m) above
sea level. Contact the manufacturer or your gas company before
changing spud/orifice size.
WARNING: Failure to keep the primary air opening(s)
of the burner(s) clean may result in sooting and property
damage.
Instructions to Installer
1. Installer must leave instruction manual with owner after
installation.
2. Installer must have owner fill out and mail warranty card supplied
with unvented room heater.
3. Installer should show owner how to start and operate unvented
room heater.
Always consult your local Building Department regarding regu-
lations, codes or ordinances which apply to the installation of an
unvented room heater.
This appliance may be installed in an aftermarket* manufactured
(mobile) home, where not prohibited by state or local codes.
*Aftermarket: Completion of sale, not for purpose of resale, from
the manufacturer.
This appliance is only for use with the type of gas indicated on
the rating plate. This appliance is not convertible for use with
other gases.
Well Head Gas Installations
Some natural gas utilities use "well head" gas. This may affect the
Btu output of the unit. Contact the gas company for the heating
value. Contact the manufacturer or your gas company before
changing spud/orifice size.
WARNING: ANY CHANGE TO THIS HEATER OR ITS
CONTROLS CAN BE DANGEROUS.
Improper installation or use of the heater can cause seri-
ous injury or death from fire, burns, explosion or carbon
monoxide poisoning.
Operation
This unvented fireplace requires no outside venting. This unvented
fireplace is designed for vent-free operation with flue damper
closed. State and local codes in some areas prohibit the use of
unvented fireplace.
VF24FP3-1, Millivolt controls
The valve regulator controls the burner pressure which should be
checked at the pressure test point. Turn captured screw counter
clockwise 2 or 3 turns and then place tubing to pressure gauge over
test point (Use test point “A” closest to control knob). After taking
pressure reading, be sure and turn captured screw clockwise firmly
to re-seal. Do not over torque. Check for gas leaks.
Millivolt System, VF24FP3-1
When you ignite the pilot, the thermocouple produces millivolts
(electrical current) which energizes the magnet in the gas valve.
After 30 seconds to 1 minute time period you can release the gas
control knob and the pilot will stay ON. Allow your pilot flame to
operate an additional one (1) to two (2) minutes before you turn the
gas control knob from the PILOT position to the ON position. This
time period allows the millivolts (electrical current) to build-up to
a sufficient level allowing the gas control to operate properly.
WARNING: This appliance is equipped for (natural gas or propane)
gas. Field conversion is not permitted.
General Information
This series is design certified in accordance with American National
Standard Z21.11.2 by the Canadian Standards Association as an
Unvented Room Heater and should be installed according to these
INTRODUCTION