Superior Fireplaces VCT3032B User manual

VCT3032B
VCT3032WS
VRT3032B
VRT3032WS
VCT3036B
VCT3036WS
VRT3036B
VRT3036WS
VCT3042B
VCT3042WS
VRT3042B
VRT3042WS
Installation and Operation Instructions
Unvented (Vent-Free) Universal Firebox
P/N 126712-01 Rev. C 01/2017
Models
P126712-01
INSTALLER: Leave this manual with the appliance.
CONSUMER: Retain this manual for future reference.
WARNING: Carefully review the instructions supplied with the decorative type unvented room heater for
the minimum fireplace size requirement.
DO NOT INSTALL THE APPLIANCE IN THIS FIREBOX, UNLESS THIS FIREBOX MEETS THE MINIMUM
DIMENSIONS REQUIRED FOR THE INSTALLATION.
WARNING:
FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD
Failure to follow safety warnings exactly could result in serious injury, death, or property damage.
- Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable 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.
• Leave the building immediately.
• Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’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.
PFS
®
US
Report No. F12-020
WARNING: FOR USE ONLY WITH A LISTED, GAS-FIRED UNVENTED DECORATIVE ROOM HEATER NOT TO
EXCEED 40,000 BTU/H.
DO NOT BUILD A WOOD FIRE.

126712-01C
SAFETY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety .................................................................. 2
Local Codes......................................................... 3
Product Features................................................. 4
Locating Firebox.................................................. 4
Product Specifications......................................... 5
Air For Combustion and Ventilation..................... 8
Installation ......................................................... 10
Replacement Parts............................................ 21
Technical Service............................................... 21
Accessories....................................................... 22
Parts.................................................................. 24
Warranty............................................................ 29
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2
WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment, altera-
tion,serviceormaintenancecancauseinjuryorproperty
damage. Refer to this manual for correct installation and
operational procedures. For assistance or additional
information consult a qualified installer, service agency
or the gas supplier.
IMPORTANT: Read this owner’s
manual carefully and complete-
ly before trying to assemble,
operate or service this heater.
Improper use of this fireplace
can cause serious injury or
death from burns, fire, explo-
sion, electrical shock and car-
bon monoxide poisoning.
WARNING: Do not allow
fans to blow directly into the
firebox. Avoid any drafts that
alter burner flame patterns.
Ceiling fans can create drafts
that alter burner flame patterns.
Altered burner patterns can
cause sooting.
WARNING: Do not use a
blower insert, heat exchanger
insert or other accessory not ap-
proved for use with this firebox.
Do not place clothing or other
flammable material on or near
the appliance. Never place any
objectsinthefireboxoronlogs.
WARNING: Any change to
this heater or its controls can
be dangerous.”
WARNING: This product
contains and/or generates
chemicals known to the state
of California to cause cancer or
birth defects or other reproduc-
tive harm.
This appliance may be
installed in an aftermar-
ket,* permanently located,
manufactured (mobile)
home, where not prohib-
ited by local codes.
* Aftermarket: Completion of sale, not for
purpose of resale, from the manufacturer
WARNING: If the information
in this manual is not followed
exactly, a fire or explosion may
result causingproperty damage,
personal injury or loss of live

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126712-01C 3
SAFETY
Continued
1. Donotusethisfireboxasawood-burning
fireplace. Use only decorative unvented
room heaters (log sets).
2. Do not add extra logs or ornaments such
as pine cones, vermiculite or rock wool.
Using these added items can cause
sooting.
3. Use only the provided hood or appropri-
ate hood accessory. See Accessories on
Page 22.
4. Vent-freegaslog heatersinstalled inthese
fireboxes require fresh air ventilation to
run properly. See Air for Combustion and
Ventilation, Page 8.
5. Do not run firebox
• where flammable liquids or vapors are
used or stored
• under dusty conditions
6. Do not use this firebox to cook food or
burn paper or other objects.
7. Turn fireboxoffand let cool beforeservic-
ing.Onlyaqualifiedservice personshould
service and repair firebox.
8. Operating firebox above elevations of
4,500 feet could cause pilot outage.
9. Do not use the firebox if it has been un-
der water due to the shock hazard that
could result with the blower accessary (if
installed) in place.
Firebox front and screen be-
comes very hot when running
firebox.Keepchildrenandadults
awayfromhotsurfacestoavoid
burns or clothing ignition. Fire-
box will remain hot for a time
after shutdown. Allow surfaces
to cool before touching.
You must operate this fireplace
with the provided fireplace
screen, hood if provided, in
place. Make sure these parts
are in place and screens are
closed before running firebox.
The supplied hood may not be
replacedwithahoodwhichmay
be provided with a log heater.
Thefireboxcanopy(hood)must
not be modified or replaced
with a canopy (hood) that may
be provided with the unvented
decorative room heater.
Keepthefireplaceareaclearand
freefromcombustiblematerials,
gasoline, and other flammable
vapors and liquids.
Children and adults should be
alerted to the hazard of high
surfacetemperatureandshould
stay away to avoid burns or
clothing ignition.
Young children should be care-
fully supervised when they are
in the same room with the ap-
pliance.

SuperiorFireplaces.US.com 126712-01C4
PRODUCT FEATURES
OPERATION
Thisfirebox isdesigned for usewithapproved
ANSIZ21.11.2 decorativetype unventedroom
heaters.(Physical sizelimitations apply.Refer
to minimum firebox requirements supplied
with log heater.) It requires no outside vent-
ing or chimney making installation easy and
inexpensive. When used without the blower,
the firebox requires no electricity making it
ideal for emergency backup heat.
BLOWER ACCESSORY
The circulating models will accept either a ro-
tarytype fan (modelBK)or the tripleradialfan
blower system (model BK3) or thermostatic
blower (model BKT) accessories. The blower
circulates heated air from the firebox into the
room. Use of the blower is optional.
REFRACTORY BRICK LINER
Yourfireboxmay feature aconcrete refractory
brickliner.As with allconcreteliners, this liner
may develop slight cracks when exposed to
heat. These cracks will not affect the perfor-
mance of the fireplace or vent-free gas logs.
OPTIONAL FIBER AND PORCELAIN
LINERS
For a vintage look, the fiber panels give a
old masonry brick look and are light weight
and easy to install. For a modern look, the
porcelain panels accessory have a black
sleekfinishthat reflects the glow of the flame.
OPTIONAL OUTSIDE AIR KIT
The optional AK4, AK4X AK4F and AK4B air
kit provides additional outdoor air to improve
burner efficiency and reduce build-up of
condensation in the living space. Follow the
instructions included with the air kit.
LOCATING FIREBOX
PLANNING
Planwhere you willinstall the firebox.Thiswill
save time and money later when you install
the firebox. Before installation, consider the
following:
1. Wherethefireboxwill belocated.Allow for
wall and ceiling clearances (see Installa-
tion Clearances, Page 11).
2. Everything needed to complete installation.
3. These models CANNOT be installed in a
bedroomunless the maximumBTU rating
of the installed vent-free log set is less
than 10,000 Btu/Hr.
4. Proper air for combustion and ventilation
(Page 8).
LOCAL CODES
*Available from:
American National Standards Institute, Inc.
25 West 43rd Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10036
National Fire Protection Association, Inc.
1 Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02169-7471
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS REQUIREMENTS
These appliances are approved for installation in the US state of Massachusetts if the fol-
lowing additional requirements are met:
• Un-vented Room Heaters shall be installed in accordance with 527 CMR 30.
• Installation and repair must be done by a plumber or gas fitter licensed in the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts.
• Theflexible gasline connectorused shall notexceed 36inches (92 centimeters) in length.
• The individual manual shut-off must be a T-handle type valve.
• Unvented appliances may NOT be installed in bedrooms or bathrooms.
• A working smoke detector must be installed in the area where vent-free appliances are
installed.
Seller 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.
Installandusefireboxwith care.Follow alllocal
codes. In the absence of local codes, use the
latest edition of The National Fuel Gas Code
ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54*; National Fuel Gas
Code; Natural Gas and Propane Installation
Code (latest edition). Firebox must be electri-
callygrounded inaccordancewith the National
ElectricalCode,ANSI/NFPA70(latestedition).

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126712-01C 5
22-1/2
19-1/2
36-3/8
18-1/4
32-1/4
34-1/2
12-5/8
24
7-5/8
3-3/8
3-5/8
8-1/4
29-3/8
36-5/8
2-5/8
7
7
6-1/8
16-5/8
4-3/8
10-5/8
13-1/8
10-1/2
3-5/8
8-1/4
6-7/8 6-7/8
8-1/4
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Figure 1 - Product Specifications 32'' Models
Right Side View
Left Side View
Front View
32" MODELS
Outside Air
Kit Location
Electrical
Outlet
Firebox Top View
Inches

SuperiorFireplaces.US.com 126712-01C6
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Continued
6-1/8 29-1/8
25
21-1/8
21
43-1/8
41-1/8
35
7-1/8
36-1/8
8-1/8
26-3/8
8-1/4 8-1/4
8-3/8
10-3/8
14
8-5/8
8-5/8
7-1/2
2-5/8
11-1/2
3-3/8
40-1/4
Right Side View
Left Side View
Front View
Firebox Top View
36" MODELS
Figure 2 - Product Specifications 36'' Models
Outside
Air Kit
Location
Electrical
Outlet
Inches

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126712-01C 7
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Continued
27-1/8
50-1/8
2-3/8
22-3/8
3-1/8
40-1/4
2-5/8
8-1/4
10-3/4
10-1/2
12-5/8
14-1/4
7-1/8
42
40-1/8
42
6-1/8
23-1/4
4-1/2
36-1/4
40-1/8
24
44-1/4
3-3/8
13-3/8
8-1/4
2-5/8
10-5/8
7-5/8
42" MODELS
Figure 3 - Product Specifications 42'' Models
Right Side View
Left Side View
Front View
Firebox Top View
Outside
Air Kit
Location
Electrical
Outlet
Inches

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AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION
Unusually tight construction is defined as
construction where:
a. walls and ceilings exposed to the out-
side atmosphere have a continuous
water vapor retarder with a rating of
one perm (6 x 10
-11
kg per pa-sec-m
2
) or
less with openings gasketed or sealed
and
b. weather stripping has been added on
openable windows and doors and
c. caulking or sealants are applied to
areas such as joints around window
and door frames, between sole plates
and floors, between wall-ceiling joints,
between wall panels, at penetrations
for plumbing, electrical and gas lines
and at other openings.
If your home meets all of the three criteria
above,youmustprovide additionalfreshair.
SeeVentilationAirFromOutdoors,Page10.
If your home does not meet all of the three
criteria above, proceed to Determining
Fresh-Air Flow For Firebox Location.
Confined and Unconfined Space
The National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/
NFPA54 allows two methods for determining
whetherthespaceinwhichtheheaterisbeing
installedis confinedor unconfinedspace.The
standardmethod definesa confined spaceas
a space whose volume is less than 50 cubic
feet per 1,000 Btu per hour (4.8 m
3
per kw)
of the aggregate input rating of all appliances
installed in that space and an unconfined
space as a space whose volume is not less
than50cubic feet per 1,000 Btu per hour (4.8
m
3
per kw) of the aggregate input rating of
all appliances installed in that space. Rooms
communicating directly with the space in
which the appliances are installed*, through
openingsnotfurnishedwithdoors, areconsid-
ered a part of the unconfined space.
Where the air infiltration rate of a structure is
known,the KnownAirInfiltration RateMethod
may be used. Follow The National Fuel Gas
Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 to use this
method to determine if the space is confined
or unconfined.
* Adjoining rooms are communicating only if
thereare doorlesspassagewaysorventilation
grills between them.
Today’shomes are built more energy efficient
thanever.New materials,increased insulation
and new construction methods help reduce
heat loss in homes. Homeowners apply
weather strip and caulk around windows and
doorsto keepthecold airoutand thewarmair
in.During heating months, homeowners want
their homes as airtight as possible.
While it is good to make your home energy
efficient, your home needs to breathe. Fresh
air must enter your home.All fuel-burning ap-
pliancesneed fresh air for proper combustion
and ventilation.
Exhaust fans, some fireplaces, clothes dryers
and some fuel-burning appliances draw air
from the house to operate. You must provide
adequate fresh air for these appliances. This
will ensure proper venting of vented fuel-
burning appliances.
PROVIDING ADEQUATE
VENTILATION
Thefollowing are excerpts from National Fuel
Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, Air for
Combustion and Ventilation.
All spaces in homes fall into one of the three
following ventilation classifications:
1. Unusually Tight Construction
2. Unconfined Space
3. Confined Space
The information on Pages 8 through 10 will
help you classify your space and provide ad-
equate ventilation.
Unusually Tight Construction
The air that leaks around doors and windows
may provide enough fresh air for combustion
and ventilation. However, in buildings of un-
usually tight construction, you must provide
additional fresh air.
WARNING: This heater shall
notbeinstalledinaroomorspace
unlesstherequiredvolumeofin-
door combustion air is provided
by the method described in the
National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1/NFPA54,theInternational
Fuel Gas Code, or applicable
local codes. Read the following
instructions to ensure proper
fresh air for this and other fuel-
burningappliancesinyourhome.

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126712-01C 9
DETERMINING FRESH-AIR FLOW
FOR HEATER LOCATION
Determining if You Have a Confined or
Unconfined Space Using the Standard
Method
Use this work sheet to determine if you have
a confined or unconfined space.
Space: Includes the room in which you will
install heater plus any adjoining rooms with
doorless passageways or ventilation grills
between the rooms.
1. Determine the volume of the space (length
x width x height).
Lengthx Width xHeight =__________cu. ft.
(volume of space)
Example :Space size 22 ft. (length) x 18 ft.
(width) x 8 ft. (ceiling height) = 3,168 cu. ft.
(volume of space)
If additional ventilation to adjoining room
is supplied with grills or openings, add the
volume of these rooms to the total volume
of the space.
2. Multiply the space volume by 20 to determine
the maximum Btu/Hr the space can support.
________ (volume of space) x 20 = (Maxi-
mum Btu/Hr the space can support)
Example :3,168 cu. ft. (volume of space) x 20
=63,360(maximumBtu/Hrspacecansupport)
3. Add the Btu/Hr of all fuel burning appliances
in the space.
Vent-free fireplace _________Btu/Hr
Gas water heater* _________Btu/Hr
Gas furnace _________Btu/Hr
Vented gas heater _________Btu/Hr
Gas fireplace logs _________Btu/Hr
Other gas appliances*+ _________ Btu/Hr
Total = _________Btu/Hr
* Do not include direct-vent gas appliances.
Direct-vent draws combustion air from the
outdoors and vents to the outdoors.
Example:
Gas water heater _________Btu/Hr
Vent-free fireplace + _________Btu/Hr
Total = _________Btu/Hr
4. Compare the maximum Btu/Hr the space
can support with the actual amount of Btu/
Hr used.
_______ Btu/Hr (maximum the space can
support)
_______ Btu/Hr (actual amount of Btu/Hr
used)
Example :63,360 Btu/Hr (maximum the
space can support)
79,000 Btu/Hr (actual amount of
Btu/Hr used)
The space in the example is a confined space
because the actual Btu/Hr used is more than the
maximum Btu/Hr the space can support. You
must provide additional fresh air. Your options
are as follows:
A. Rework worksheet, adding the space of an
adjoiningroom.Iftheextra spaceprovidesan
unconfined space, remove door to adjoining
room or addventilation grillsbetween rooms.
See Ventilation Air From Inside Building.
B. Vent room directly to the outdoors. See
Ventilation Air From Outdoors, Page 10.
C. Install a lower Btu/Hr fireplace, if lower Btu/
Hr size makes room unconfined.
If the actual Btu/Hr used is less than the
maximum Btu/Hr the space can support, the
space is an unconfined space. You will need
no additional fresh air ventilation.
40,000
39,000
79,000
WARNING: If the area in
which the heater may be oper-
ated does not meet the required
volume for indoor combustion
air, combustion and ventilation
air shall be provided by one of
the methods described in the
National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1/NFPA54,theInternation-
al Fuel Gas Code, or applicable
local codes.

SuperiorFireplaces.US.com 126712-01C10
VENTILATION AIR
Ventilation Air From Inside Building
This fresh air would come from an adjoining
unconfined space. When ventilating to an
adjoiningunconfinedspace,you mustprovide
twopermanent openings:one within12" ofthe
ceiling and one within 12" of the floor on the
wall connecting the two spaces (see options
1and2, Figure 4).Youcan also remove door
into adjoining room (see option 3, Figure 4).
Follow the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1/NFPA 54, Air for Combustion and
Ventilation for required size of ventilation
grills or ducts.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION
Figure 5 - Ventilation Air from Outdoors
Figure 4 - Ventilation Air from Inside
Building
Ventilation Air From Outdoors
Provide extra fresh air by using ventilation
grills or ducts. You must provide two perma-
nent openings: one within 12" of the ceiling
andonewithin 12" of the floor. Connect these
items directly to the outdoors or spaces open
to the outdoors. These spaces include attics
and crawl spaces. Follow the National Fuel
Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, Air for
Combustion and Ventilation for required size
of ventilation grills or ducts.
IMPORTANT:Do not provide openings
for inlet or outlet air into attic if attic has a
thermostat-controlled power vent. Heated air
entering the attic will activate the power vent.
INSTALLATION
Or
Remove
Door into
Adjoining
Room,
Option
3
Ventilation Grills
Into Adjoining Room,
Option 2
Ventilation
Grills
Into Adjoining
Room,
Option 1
12"
12"
Outlet
Air
Ventilated
Attic
Outlet
A
ir
Inlet
Air
Inlet Air Ventilated
Crawl Space
To
Crawl
Space
To Attic
WARNING:Never installthe
firebox
• in a bedroom or bathroom*
• in a recreational vehicle
• where curtains, furniture,
clothing or other flammable
objectsarelessthan42"from
the front, top or sides of the
firebox
• in high traffic areas
• in windy or drafty areas
* Unlesstheinstalled logset is
ratedat10,000Btu/Hrorless
ina bedroomor6,000 Btu/Hr
or less in a bathroom.
WARNING: A qualified ser-
vicepersonmustinstallfirebox.
Follow all local codes.
CAUTION: Log heaters in-
stalled in this firebox create
warmaircurrents.Thesecurrents
move heat to wall surfaces next
to firebox. Installing firebox next
tovinylorclothwallcoveringsor
operating firebox where impuri-
ties(suchas,butnotlimitedto,to-
bacco smoke, aromatic candles,
cleaning fluids, oil or kerosene
lamps, etc.) in the air exist, may
discolor walls or cause odors.