Empire Comfort Systems VFD32FB0L-3 Quick start guide

Page 1
UNIVERSAL FIREBOX FOR
ALL VENT-FREE LOG SETS
MODELS
VFD32FB0L-3 VFD36FB0L-3 VFD42FB0L-3
VFD32FB2ML-5 VFD36FB2ML-5 VFD42FB2ML-5
VFD32FB0F-3 VFD36FB0F-3 VFD42FB0F-3
VFD32FB2MF-5 VFD36FB2MF-5 VFD42FB2MF-5
VFD32FB2AL-3 VFD36FB2AL-3 VFD42FB2AL-3
VFD32FB2AF-3 VFD36FB2AF-3 VFD42FB2AF-3
VFD32FB3MF-5 VFD36FB3MF-5 VFD42FB3MF-5
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
AND OWNER'S MANUAL
Deluxe Vent-Free Universal Fireboxes
GAS-FIRED
EMPIRE
EMPIRE
Comfort Systems
Installer: Leave this manual with the appliance.
Consumer: Retain this manual for future reference.
FOR USE ONLY WITH A LISTED GAS-FIRED
UNVENTED DECORATIVE ROOM HEATER NOT TO EX-
CEED 40,000 BTU/H.
DO NOT BUILD A WOOD FIRE.
WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment, altera-
tion, service or maintenance can cause injury or property
damage. Refer to this manual. For assistance or additional
information, consult a qualied installer, service agency or
the gas supplier.
Carefully review the instructions supplied with the decora-
tive type unvented room heater for the minimum replace
size requirement.
DO NOT INSTALL A VENT-FREE LOG SET IN THIS FIREBOX,
UNLESS THIS FIREBOX MEETS THE MINIMUM DIMENSIONS
REQUIRED FOR THE INSTALLATION.
ANSI Z21.91 Ventless Fireplace Enclosures for Gas Fired
Decorative Type Unvented Room Heaters
WARNING: If the information in these instructions are not
followed exactly, a re or explosion may result causing
property damage, personal injury or loss of life.
— Do not store or use gasoline or other ammable 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 neigh-
bor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instruc-
tions.
• If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the re
department.
— Installation and service must be performed by a quali-
ed installer, service agency or the gas supplier.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MODIFY OR ALTER THE CONSTRUC-
TION OF THE FIREBOX OR ITS COMPONENTS. ANY MODI-
FICATION OR ALTERATION OF CONSTRUCTION MAY VOID
THE WARRANTY OF THIS FIREBOX.
CHILDREN AND ADULTS SHOULD BE ALERTED TO THE
HAZARDS OF HIGH SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND
SHOULD STAY AWAY TO AVOID BURNS OR CLOTHING IG-
NITION.
YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD BE CAREFULLY SUPERVISED
WHEN THEY ARE IN THE SAME ROOM AS THE FIREBOX.

33637-0-0314Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ............................................................................ 3
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 3
CLEARANCES............................................................................................................. 4 - 5
FIREBOX INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................... 6 - 8
INSTALLING HOOD..................................................................................................... 8 - 9
GAS LINE CONNECTION ................................................................................................ 9
OPTIONAL FRESH AIR KIT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS .............................. 10 - 12
OPTIONAL FBB5 SINGLE SPEED BLOWER INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS... 13 - 15
JUNCTION BOX WIRING INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS......................................... 16
MAINTENANCE.............................................................................................................. 16
MASTER PARTS DISTRIBUTOR LIST........................................................................... 17
HOW TO ORDER REPAIR PARTS................................................................................. 17
PARTS LIST.................................................................................................................... 18
PARTS VIEW .................................................................................................................. 19
ACCESSORIES ....................................................................................................... 20 - 21
WARRANTY.................................................................................................................... 22
APPLIANCE SERVICE HISTORY .................................................................................. 23
SECTION PAGE

33637-0-0314 Page 3
The installation must conform with local codes or, in
the absence of local codes, with the National Fuel Gas
Code, ANSI Z223.1 (latest edition) and to the National
electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA70 (latest edition).
NOTE: Installation and repair should be done by a quali-
ed service person. The appliance should be inspected
before use and at least annually by a qualied service
person. More frequent cleaning may be required due
to excessive lint from carpeting, bedding material, etc.
It is imperative that control compartment, burners and
circulating air passageways of the appliance be kept
clean.
Any safety screen or guard removed for servicing an
appliance must be replaced prior to operating the appli-
ance. Provide adequate combustion and ventilation air.
The ow of combustion and ventilation air MUST NOT
be obstructed.
Provide adequate clearance around air openings into
the combustion chamber and adequate accessibility
clearance for servicing and proper operation. NEVER
obstruct the front opening of the appliance.
This Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. rebox and its
components have been tested and will operate safely
when installed in accordance with this installation
manual. Read all instructions before starting installation,
then follow these instructions carefully during
installation to maximize rebox benet and safety.
Report to your dealer any parts damaged in shipment.
The Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. warranty will be
voided by, and Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. disclaims
any responsibility for the following actions:
- Installation of any damaged rebox.
- Modication of the rebox or any of the components
parts thereof.
- Installation other than as instructed by Empire
Comfort Systems, Inc.
- Installation and/or use of any component part
or accessory not approved by Empire Comfort
Systems, Inc. in combination or assembly with
a Empire Comfort Systems, Inc. firebox, not
withstanding any independent testing laboratory
or other third party approval of such component
part or accessory.
Any such action may create a possible re hazard.
Consult your local building codes.
Firebox Screen.
The rebox screen must be in place when the rebox
is operating.
Instructions to Installer
1. Installer must leave instruction manual with owner after
installation.
2. Installermusthaveownerlloutandmailwarrantycard
suppliedwithrebox.
3. Installershouldshowownerhowtostartandoperate
logsetthatisinstalledintorebox.
Important
AllcorrespondenceshouldrefertocompleteModelNumber,
Serial Number.
Notice: During initial ring of this rebox with a log set
installed,itspaintwillbakeout,andsmokewilloccur.To
preventtriggeringofsmokealarms,ventilatetheroomin
whichtheunitisinstalled.
Qualied Installing Agency
Installationandreplacementofgaspiping,gasutilization
equipment or accessories and repair and servicing of
equipmentshallbeperformedonlybyaqualiedagency.
The term "qualied agency" means any individual, rm,
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
required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tterintheCommonwealth
of Massachusetts. The state of Massachusetts requires
thataexibleapplianceconnectorcannotexceedthree
feet in length.
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-red 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/NFPA 54.*
*AvailablefromtheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute,
Inc.,11West42ndSt.,NewYork,N.Y.10036.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION

33637-0-0314Page 4
2 X 4
HEADER
COMBUSTIBLE
FINISHED WALL
OR MANTEL
FINISHED WITH
TRIM KITOR
NON-COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIAL
3/4" GAP REQUIRED
2 X 4
HEADER
COMBUSTIBLE
FINISHED WALL
OR MANTEL
3/4" GAP
REQUIRED
Sidewall Clearances:Theclearancefromtheinsideoftherebox
toperpendicularcombustiblesidewallshouldnotbelessthan
6 inches. See Figure 1.
Firebox Side and Back Clearances:Thereboxoutercasingside
andbackangesarezeroclearancetocombustibles.
Top Framing and Finishing: Combustible nishing materials
requires 3/4 inch to top of unit. See Figure 2.
CLEARANCES
45°
6"
3"
MAX.
PERPENDICULAR
SIDE WALL
FRONT FACE (SIDE)
FIREBOX
(TOP VIEW)
COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIALS ALLOWED
IN SHADED AREAS
Figure 1
Figure 2a - Louvered Models
Figure 2b - Flush Models

33637-0-0314 Page 5
Ceiling Clearances: The ceiling height should not be less than
42inchesfromthetopofthehood.See Figure 3.
Mantel Clearances: Ventfreereboxmodelsmustusethehood
suppliedwiththerebox,oroneoftheoptionalhoodkitsavailable
foreachmodel.Ifacombustiblemantelisinstalled,itmustmeet
theclearancerequirementsdetailedbelow.
Grate Clearance: The minimum clearance between the front legs
ofthegrateandfrontedgeofthereboxis2inches.
Leaveatleast36inchesclearancefromthefrontoftherebox.
Figure 3 - Clearances to Combustibles
CLEARANCES
MANTEL
HOOD
13”
10”
12”
MAX
8”
MIN.
FIREBOX
FACE
84”
MIN.
(CEILING TO FLOOR)
CEILING
COMBUSTIBLES
ALLOWED
3/4” COMBUSTIBLE
CLEARANCE REQUIRED
FROM TOPEDGE
OF FIREBOX
T
10”
18 1/2”
8”
16 1/2”
6 ½”
14 1/2”
5”
12 1/2”
3 ½”
10 1/2”
2”
9”
3/4”
21”

33637-0-0314Page 6
Deluxe Vent-Free Firebox Framing Dimensions (in inches)
ABC
Model Framing Height FramingWidth Framing Depth
VFD32FB 33 3/4 35 1/2 16 1/4
VFD36FB 35 3/4 40 1/2 18 3/4
VFD42FB 35 3/4 44 1/2 18 3/4
Attention:Add3-3/4inchesto"A"Dimensionwhenusingushmantelbase.
Anyvent-freeGasLogHeatermustbe“ForusewithapprovedANSI
Z21.11.2unventedroomheater.”
Followandcompletetheinstallationinstructionsofthegaslogset
andtherequirementsofthisrebox.
Checkallttingsforleaksbeforelightingthegaslogset.
Inplanningtheinstallationfortherebox,itisnecessarytodetermine
wheretheunitistobeinstalledandwhetheroptionalaccessories
aredesired.Gassupplypipingshouldalsobeplannedatthistime.
A gas shut off must be in this line.
Thereboxcanbemountedonanyofthesesurfaces:
1. Aathardcombustibleornon-combustiblesurface.
2. Araisedplatformofcombustibleornon-combustiblematerial.
3. Recessedintotheoorasillustratedby Figure 4(ushface),
andFigure 5(louveredmodels).
4. Supportedunderallfourcornersofthereboxsothatcontact
ismadeonallfourperimeteredgesonthebottomoftheunit
(Example:Fourconcretemasonryblocks).
Ifthereboxisinstalleddirectlyoncarpeting,tileorothercombustible
materialotherthanwoodooring,itshouldbeinstalledonametal
orwoodpanelextendingthefullwidthanddepthoftheunit.
Atthispoint,youshouldhavedecidedwhatcomponentstoinclude
inyourinstallation,andwherethereboxistobelocated.Ifthis
hasnotbeen done, stop andconsult your dealer forassistance
with this planning.
Planning Your Installation
PleasenotethattheoptionalVFA2FreshAirkitavailableforuse
withtheVentFreeFireboxmustbeinstalledatthetimeoftheinitial
installation.Refertopages10,11and12fordetailedinstructions
fortheairkit.
AccessorykitssuchastheFBB5Blowerkit,Trimkits,Mantels,Full
Cabinet Mantels, plus other Decorative Frame, Hood, and Door
accessorykitsmaybeinstalledafterthereboxissecuredtothe
framedopening.
Refertotheinstructionsprovidedwitheachoftheoptionalaccessory
kitsforproperinstallationandoperation.
Firebox Framing
Fireboxframingcanbebuiltbeforeorafterthereboxissetinplace.
Framingshouldbepositionedtoaccommodatewallcoveringand
reboxfacingmaterial.Thereboxframingshouldbeconstructed
of2x4lumberorheavier.Theframingheadersmayrestonthe
topofthereboxstandoffs.RefertoFigures 6 and 7forrebox
framingdimensions.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
FIREBOX INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
LOUVERED
FIREBOX
MODELS
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS ALLOWED

33637-0-0314 Page 7
Figure 7
Firebox Dimensions
FIREBOX INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
D
L
M
GIA
H
F
B
GIA
H
F
B
K
N
C
J
OUTER FIREBOX DIMENSIONS
INNER FIREBOX DIMENSIONS
E
B
A
C
D
TOP VIEW SIDE VIEW
DELUXE
FLUSH
N
J
K
DELUXE
LOUVERED
OUTER FIREBOX DIMENSIONS (in inches)
INDEX
LETTER
LOUVERED FLUSH
VFD32 VFD36 VFD42 VFD32 VFD36 VFD42
A 33 35 35 33 35 35
B 35 40 44 35 40 44
C 16 1/2 19 19 16 1/2 19 19
D 27 7/8 31 7/8 35 7/8 27 7/8 31 7/8 35 7/8
F 31 36 40 31 36 40
G 22 1/4 24 1/4 24 1/4 22 1/4 24 1/4 24 1/4
H 6 1/8 6 1/8 6 1/8 1 3/16 1 3/16 1 3/16
I 28 3/8 30 3/8 30 3/8 28 3/8 30 3/8 30 3/8
J 8 5/16 8 5/16 8 5/16 8 5/16 8 5/16 8 5/16
K 4 3/4 4 3/4 4 3/4 4 3/4 4 3/4 4 3/4
L 35 39 3/8 41 3/8 35 39 3/8 41 3/8
M 60 1/16 68 13/16 72 13/16 60 1/16 68 13/16 72 13/16
N 2 11/16 2 11/16 2 11/16 2 11/16 2 11/16 2 11/16
INNER FIREBOX DIMENSIONS (in inches)
INDEX
LETTER VFD32 VFD36 VFD42
WITHOUT BRICK
A 31 36 40
B 25 3/16 29 3/16 33 3/16
C 14 1/8 16 1/2 16 1/2
D 18 11/16 20 20
E 22 24 24
WITH BRICK
A 29 5/16 34 5/16 38 5/16
B 24 28 32
C 13 5/16 15 3/4 15 3/4
D 18 11/16 20 20
E 22 24 24

33637-0-0314Page 8
Locating Firebox
Placereboxinframingopening.Usethetabsonthesideofthe
reboxtoattachreboxtoframing.Differenttablocationscanbe
usedfornishingmaterialswiththicknessesof1/2inchand5/8inch.
See Figure 8.
Framingtabsshould t directly againstframingmaterial. Use at
leastonenailperbrackettosecureinplace.
Checksquarenessofthereboxpriortosecuringtoframedopening.
See Figure 9.
Figure 8
Ablackhoodthatisfurnishedwitheachrebox(oroptionalhood)
MUST be installed before the rebox is used. Failure to do so
may create a possible re hazard. The hood is located behind
upper louver, or inside the rebox on ush face units. If brass,
stainlesssteel,orhammeredpewterhoodsaredesired,theycan
bepurchasedasanoption.Attachmentisthesameasthestandard
blackhood.
Flush Face Models
1. Onushfacemodels,loosenthetwoscrews(A)holdingrebox
toptofacepanel,thenslidethehoodangebetweentherebox
topandfacepanelandre-tightenthescrews.
2. Installonescrewateachendofthehoodasshown(C).
Louvered Models
1. Ifyouhavealouveredmodel,removeupperlouver.
2. Placethetophoodangeontopoftherebox,theninstallthree
screwsthroughthereboxtopfrombelowandscrewintothe
pilotholesinthehoodange(B).
3. Installonescrewateachendofthehoodasshown(C).
4. Re-install louver.
Caution:Thehoodmustbeinstalledpriortooperationofappliance.
See Figure 10
Flush Face Models
Figure 10
Figure 9
FIREBOX INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALLING HOOD
B
C
INNER FIREBOX TOP
Louvered Models
ACAC

33637-0-0314 Page 9
Thereboxisdesignedtoaccepta3/8-inchgaslineforanapproved
vent-freegaslogset.Havethelineinstalledbyaqualiedservice
personinaccordancewithallbuildingcodes.Consultlocalbuilding
codestoproperlysizethegassupplylineleadingtothe3/8-inch
hook-up at the unit. The state of Massachusetts requires that a
exibleapplianceconnectorcannotexceedthreefeetinlength.
Gasaccessholesareprovidedonbothsidesoftherebox.See
Figure 11. On  models with refractory brick panels installed,
carefullyremovetheknockoutintherefractorybrickpanelusinga
largestandardscrewdriverandhammer.First,placescrewdriverin
groovenexttoplugandprysidewaystopopoutmainplug.Then
remove the remaining concrete in hole with gentle tapping with ball
peenhammerand/orscrewdriver.Amasonrydrillandbitmayalso
beused tocreateacleanhole forthe gasline topassthrough.
See Figure 12.
When installing optional ceramic ber side panels into rebox,
laypanelonaatsurface.Removethegaslineknockout(round
depression)intheappropriatesidepanelusingadrillorutilityknife.
Afterthebrickpanelknockoutisremoved,thereboxwrapmay
havearoundmetalknockoutthatmustberemovedalso.Usea
screwdrivertopunchoutthemetalknockout.
Checkgastype.Useonlythegastypeindicatedonthegaslog
setratingplate.Ifthegaslistedontheplateisnotyourtypeofgas
supply,DONOTINSTALL.Contactyourdealerforpropermodel.
AlwaysuseanexternalregulatorforallLPreboxestoreducethe
supplytankpressuretoamaximumof14inchw.c.Thisisinaddition
totheregulatorttedtothelogset.
WARNING: CONNECTION DIRECTLY TO AN UNREGULATED
L.P. TANK CAN CAUSE EXPLOSION.
InstallonlyaANSIZ21.11.2vent-freelogsetintothisrebox.
Figure 11
Extended Hoods
Ifyournon-combustiblefacingmaterialisover1"inthicknessthatwillbeusedtonishthisrebox,anextendedhoodisavailablethatwill
extendout2"fartheroutintotheroom.Contactyourlocaldealerfordetails.
Finishing
Alljoints(top,bottomandsides),wherethewallordecorativefacingmaterialmeetsthereboxsurroundshouldbesealedwithanon-
combustible material.
Hearthextensionsarerecommended,butnotrequiredforthesereboxes.
VB4H32BL StandardBlack VB4H36BL StandardBlack VB4H42BL StandardBlack
VB4H32BR PolishedBrass VB4H36BR PolishedBrass VB4H42BR PolishedBrass
VB4H32SS Stainless Steel VB4H36SS Stainless Steel VB4H42SS Stainless Steel
VB4H32HP HammeredPewter VB4H36HP HammeredPewter VB4H42HP HammeredPewter
INSTALLING HOOD
GAS LINE CONNECTION
Brick Panel
Figure 12
GAS ACCESS HOLES

33637-0-0314Page 10
OPTIONAL FRESH AIR KIT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Figure 15
Figure 16
4. Fasten the Handle Retainer to the rebox side with two
10x1/2PhillipsTrussHeadScrewsasshowninFigure 16.
TheoptionalFreshAirKitisdesignedtointroduceoutsideairto
thereboxasdesired.
Itmustbeinstalledpriorto,oratthetimeofreboxinstallationto
framing.
TheFreshAirkitmustbeinstalledpriortotheinstallationofwall-
boardorothernishingmaterialsaroundtheunit.
Hardware needed (not provided): 4 inchAluminum Flex Duct,
2BandClamps
Tools needed: Gloves,Metalsnips,5/16inchNutDriver,
PhillipsScrewdriver
Caution: Sharp edges
SlideAssemblyInstallation
1. Beginbyremovingtherectangularcutoutlocatedontheleft
sideoftheunit.Useglovesandsheetmetalsnipstocreate
theopeningfortheAirDoorassemblytoinstallinto.SeeFig-
ure 13.
Figure 13
2. Bendthetaboutoftheway. See Figure 14.
Figure 14
3. InsertSlideAssemblythroughthecut-outasshowninFigure
15.Beforeyoufastenensurethatthehandlepenetratesthe
innerreboxwall.See Figure 16.FastentheSlideAssembly
withthefour10x1/2HexHeadScrewsprovided.