Empire Comfort Systems VFP20IN30L10N-1 Quick start guide

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
AND OWNER'S MANUAL
UNVENTED
GAS FIREPLACE
MODELS
VFP20IN3(0,1,2,3)L10(N,P)-1
VFP20IN2(0,1,2,3)L(N,P)-1
VFP20IN3(0,1,2,3)L(N,P)-1
VFP28IN2(0,1,2,3)L(N,P)-1
VFP28IN3(0,1,2,3)L(N,P)-1
GAS-FIRED
WARNING: If not installed, operated and maintained
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions,
this product could expose you to substances in fuel
or from fuel combustion which can cause death or
serious illness.
-
gen) from the room in which it is installed. Provisions
for adequate combustion and ventilation air must be
provided. Refer to page 11.
WATER VAPOR:ABY-PRODUCT OF UNVENTED
ROOM HEATERS
Water vapor is a by-product of gas combustion. An
unvented room heaterproduces approximately one (1)
ounce (30ml) of water for every 1,000 BTU's (.3KW's)
of gas input per hour. Refer to page 11.
This appliance may be installed in an aftermarket,
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.
Vent Free Fireplace Insert
 -
ble vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or
any other appliance.
— WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS
  
  
use any phone in your building.
       
a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas sup-
plier’s instructions.
  

— Installation and service must be performed

gas supplier.
WARNING: If the information in these in-
-
plosion 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.
EMPIRE
EMPIRE
Comfor t Systems
Page 1

26497-1-0310Page 2
SECTION PAGE
Important Safety Information .......................................................................................................... 3
Safety Information for Users of LP-Gas ......................................................................................... 4
Important Installation Guidelines .................................................................................................... 5
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Specications .................................................................................................................................. 7
Installation in a Fireplace ................................................................................................................ 8
Fireplace Insert Dimensions ............................................................................................................ 9
Built-In Fireplace Installation ....................................................................................................... 10
Water Vapor: A By-Product of Unvented Room Heaters .............................................................. 11
Provisions For Adequate Combustion & Ventilation Air ....................................................... 11 - 12
Gas Supply ............................................................................................................................. 13 - 14
Clearances ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Combustible Materials .................................................................................................................. 15
Alternate On/Off Switch Installation ............................................................................................ 16
Surround Panel Installation ........................................................................................................... 17
Blower Accessory Information ..................................................................................................... 18
VFP20IN Log Placement .............................................................................................................. 19
VFP20IN Ember Placement Photos .............................................................................................. 20
VFP28IN Log Placement .............................................................................................................. 21
VFP28IN Ember Placement Photos .............................................................................................. 22
Hydraulic Thermostat Lighting Instrutions ................................................................................... 23
Millivolt Control Valve Lighting Instructions ............................................................................... 24
10,000 BTU Millivolt Control Valve Lighting Instructions .......................................................... 25
Operation Instructions/Flame Appearance .................................................................................... 26
Pilot Flame Characteristics .................................................................................................... 27 - 28
Wiring ............................................................................................................................................ 28
Maintenance .................................................................................................................................. 28
Troubleshooting - Symptoms - Possible Causes and Corrections ................................................. 29
VFP20IN Parts List ....................................................................................................................... 30
VFP20IN Parts View ..................................................................................................................... 31
VFP28IN Parts List ....................................................................................................................... 32
VFP28IN Parts View ..................................................................................................................... 33
Logs Parts Lists & Parts Views ..................................................................................................... 34
Decorative Accessories ................................................................................................................. 35
Master Parts Distributor List ......................................................................................................... 36
How To Order Repair Parts ........................................................................................................... 36
Service Notes ......................................................................................................................... 37 - 39
TABLE OF CONTENTS

26497-1-0310 Page 3
When used without adequate combustion and ventilation air,
heater may give off CARBON MONOXIDE, an odorless, poi-
sonous 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/NFPA 54, Air for Combustion and Ventilation, or
applicable local codes.
This heater is equipped with a PILOT LIGHT SAFETY SYS-
TEM 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.
        
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

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

WARNING
 
6,000 Btu per hour shall not be installed in a bathroom
 
10,000 Btu per hour shall not be installed in a bedroom or
bathroom.
 

 
surface temperature and should stay away to avoid burns or
clothing ignition.
 
in the same room with the appliance.
 
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.
 use this room heater if any part has been under
       
inspect the room heaterand to replace any part of the control
system and any gas control which has been under water.
 
Do not close glass doors while operating heater.
 
operation.
   
components of this appliance are treated with certain oils,

but may produce annoying smoke and smells as they are
burned off during initial operation of the appliance. This is
a normal temporary occurrence.Awindow should be opened
during the initial bake out period.
        
location of the heater and annual cleaning are necessary to
avoid potential problems with sooting. Sooting, resulting
from improper installation or operation, can settle on
  
installation.
         
        
patterns.
 
or other accessory not approved for use with this heater.
 

sensor) which will shut down the heater if adequate fresh
air is not available. See troubleshooting section in the
instructions.
        
materials, gasoline and other flammable vapors and
liquids.
        
of the burner(s) clean may result in sooting and property
damage.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

26497-1-0310Page 4
Some people cannot smell well. Some people cannot smell the

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 lter the odorant. Odorants
in LP-Gas also are subject to oxidation. This fading can occur if
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.

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
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 reading the following
information, you feel you still need more information, please
contact your gas supplier.
• Learn to recognize the odor of LP-gas. Your local LP-Gas
Dealer can give you a "Scratch and Sniff" pamphlet. Use it
to nd 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 qualied, do not light pilot lights, perform
service, or make adjustments to appliances on the LP-Gas
system. If you are qualied, consciously think about the odor
of LP-Gas prior to and while lighting pilot lights or perform-
ing 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 lled and allowed to set too
long before relling. 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 orices. 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
relled 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
reghters declare them to be safe.
• Use your neighbor's phone and call a trained LP-Gas service
person and the re 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 reghters 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

26497-1-0310 Page 5
Proper Log Placement
Log placement is critical to proper burner performance. Logs must
be correctly positioned onto the burner. The photos in this manual
show the proper pinned position for logs on this set. Owners need
to be shown proper log placement and instructed not to move the
logs.
Logs must t rmly onto the burner when positioned as shown in
the photos. Malformed logs or logs with sloppy pin holes must be
replaced.
Proper Placement of Rock Wool and Decorative Lava Rock
Rock wool can be added to burners for a glowing ember effect.
It must be positioned only on the front portion of the burner. The
photos in this manual show the proper placement of rock wool.
Decorative lava rock or small wood pieces should never be placed
on the burner. These items are only for placement on the oor of
the replace or rebox.

For proper burner operation and ame appearance, the ow of
primary air into the venturi tube, located on the rear of the burner,
must not be reduced. This ow of air is reduced if dirt, lint or
other obstructions build-up around or inside the venturi. Any
obstruction in the venturi tube area must be removed. The ow of
air into the venturi is also reduced if the gas orice isn’t centered
in the venturi inlet and/or is not aligned with the venturi. Any
misalignment of the burner orice may be corrected by bending
the shutter cap holding the orice to the inlet of the venturi tube.
Ceiling Fans, Portable Fans or Logs Installed Near Cold Air
Returns
Ceiling fans or oscillating oor type fans need to be monitored
during the operation of vent-free logs. If the air blows directly
into the ame causing it to impinge on the log set, or rebox, it
should be turned off or redirected. Ceiling fans could be reversed
to possibly eliminate ame impingement, and the oor fan could
be redirected. Upon installation, be aware of any cold air returns
or vents in the proximity of the log set. Any draft created around
a vent-free log set can cause the ame to impinge on the log and
create a sooting situation.
WARNING: Do not allow fans to blow directly into the replace.
Avoid any drafts that alter burner ame patterns.
WARNING: Do not use a blower insert, heat exchanger insert or
other accessory not approved for use with this heater.
Candles
Avoid the use of scented or decorative candles while the log set
is in operation. Candles produce a residue in the air that creates a
soot like substance. Burning candles while the log set is operating
magnies the problem. It should be noted that candles, in general,
produce soot. The amount of time burned and the quantity of
candles burned will determine the amount of soot produced and
deposited.
Make Owners Aware of Proper Log Set Operation
Properly installed and properly maintained log sets do not deposit
soot on the logs. If users see soot appear on a log, call for service.
Do not continue to operate the log set.
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES