Superior VCM3026ZTN User manual

Installation and Operation Instructions
Unvented (Vent-Free) Compact Fireplaces
P/N 126871-01 REV. B 04/2018
VCM3026ZTN VCM3026ZTP
Models
INSTALLER: Leave this manual with the appliance.
CONSUMER: Retain this manual for future reference.
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.
This is an unvented gas-fired heater. It uses air (oxygen) from the room in which it is installed. Provisions
for adequate combustion and ventilation air must be provided. Refer to Air for Combustion and Ventilation
section on Page 7 of this manual.
PFS
®
US
Report No. F09-123
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.
P126871-01

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com 126871-01B2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety .................................................................. 2
Product Identification........................................... 4
Local Codes......................................................... 5
Product Features................................................. 5
Unpacking............................................................ 6
Assembly............................................................. 6
Air for Combustion and Ventilation ...................... 7
Installation ......................................................... 10
Operation........................................................... 20
Inspecting Burner .............................................. 23
Cleaning and Maintenance................................ 24
Troubleshooting................................................. 25
Specifications .................................................... 29
Service Hints ..................................................... 29
Technical Service............................................... 29
Replacement Parts............................................ 29
Accessories ....................................................... 30
Parts .................................................................. 31
Warranty ............................................................ 35
SAFETY
   Early signs
of carbon monoxide poisoning resemble the
flu, with headaches, dizziness, or nausea. If
you have these signs, the heater may not be
working properly.      Have
heater serviced. Some people are more af-
fected by carbon monoxide than others. These
include pregnant women, people with heart or
lung disease or anemia, those under the influ-
ence of alcohol, and those at high altitudes.
    Natural and
propane/LP gases are odorless. An odor-
making agent is added to the gas. The odor
helps you detect a gas leak. However, the
odor added to the gas can fade. Gas may be
present even though no odor exists.
Make certain you read and understand all
warnings. Keep this manual for reference.
It is your guide to safe and proper operation
of this heater.
     
        
         
         
   
    
     
       

     
  Air for Combustion and
Ventilation   Page 7 
 
      
  
   
    
      
      
     
     
      
     

   
      
      
 
  
    


    

      
     
  

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com
126871-01B 3
SAFETY Continued
   
   

    
     
      
    
 
    
      

     

     
 
     
     
     

      
      
     
 
    
    
    
      
    
     
      
    
  
    

     
    

     
   

     
    
 
   
     
   

 
    
     
     
    
     

 
    
     
    
      
    
    
     


    
    
     
     
       
      
  
    
    
    
     
       
     
    

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com 126871-01B4
SAFETY Continued
2. Do not place propane/LP supply tank(s)
inside any structure. Locate propane/
LP supply tank(s) outdoors (propane/LP
only).
3. If you smell gas
• shut off gas supply
• 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 sup-
plier’s instructions
• if you cannot reach your gas supplier,
call the fire department
4. This fireplace shall not be installed in a
bedroom or bathroom.
5. Do not use this fireplace as a wood-burn-
ing fireplace. Use only the logs provided
with the fireplace.
6. Do not add extra logs or ornaments such
as pine cones, vermiculite, or glowing em-
bers (rockwool). Using these added items
can cause sooting. Do not add volcanic
stone around base. Volcanic Stone and
debris could fall into the control area of
fireplace.
7. This fireplace is designed to be smoke-
less. If logs ever appear to smoke, turn
off fireplace and call a qualified service
person.
NOTE    
       
   
8. To prevent the creation of soot, follow the
instructions in   ,
Page 25.
9. Before using furniture polish, wax, carpet
cleaner, or similar products, turn heater
off. If heated, the vapors from these prod-
ucts may create a white powder residue
within burner box or on adjacent walls or
furniture.
10. This fireplace needs fresh air ventilation to
run properly. This fireplace has an Oxygen
Depletion Sensing (ODS) safety shutoff
system. The ODS shuts down the fire-
place if not enough fresh air is available.
See     ,
Page 7. If fireplace keeps shutting off, see
, Page 26.
11. Do not run fireplace
• where flammable liquids or vapors are
used or stored.
• under dusty conditions.
12. Do not use this fireplace to cook food or
burn paper or other objects.
13. Never place any objects in the fireplace
or on logs.
14. Do not use fireplace if any part has been
under water. Immediately call a qualified
service technician to inspect the room
fireplace and to replace any part of the
control system and any gas control which
has been under water.
15. Turn off and unplug fireplace and let
cool before servicing. Only a qualified
service person should service and repair
fireplace.
16. Operating fireplace above elevations of
4,500 feet could cause pilot outage.
17. Do not operate fireplace if any log is
broken. Do not operate fireplace if a log
is chipped (dime-sized or larger).
18. To prevent performance problems, do not
use propane/LP fuel tank of less than 100
lbs. capacity (propane/LP only).
19. Provide adequate clearances around air
openings.
20. The screen or any other part removed for
servicing must be replaced prior to operat-
ing this heater.
      
       
      
     

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com
126871-01B 5
Figure 1 - Vent-Free Gas Compact Fireplace
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Igniter Button
Screen
Fireplace Cabinet
Logs
Control Knob
Left Side
Right Side
Front
LOCAL CODES
Install and use fireplace with care. Follow all
local codes. In the absence of local codes,
use the latest edition of    
   *. Firebox must
be electrically grounded in accordance with
the    
(latest edition).
   
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.
• The flexible gas line connector used shall not exceed 36 inches (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.
*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
PRODUCT FEATURES
 
This fireplace has a pilot with an Oxygen
Depletion Sensing (ODS) safety shutoff
system. The ODS/pilot is a required feature
for vent-free room fireplaces. The ODS/pilot
shuts off the fireplace if there is not enough
fresh air.
  
This fireplace has a piezo igniter. This sys-
tem requires no matches, batteries, or other
sources to light fireplace.
  
This fireplace has a thermostat sensing bulb
and a control valve. The thermostat will auto-
matically modulate the heat output to maintain
a consistent room temperature. This results in
greater fireplace comfort. This can also result
in lower gas bills.

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com 126871-01B6
ASSEMBLY
Figure 2 - Assembling Fireplace
Log
Screen
Burner Support
with Log
Locator Tabs
Branch
Support
Shoulder
Screw
 
Tools Required:
• Phillips screwdriver
• 5/16" hex wrench
• slotted screwdriver
 
1. Lift screen up and pull out to remove.
2. Cut two plastic straps to remove the log
from the firebox cavity.
3. An optional blower is available. See 
, Page 31. Install optional blower
now. Follow installation instructions pro-
vided with blower.
4. Remove log packaging material and dis-
card packaging. Gently place log set on
burner support  Figure 2 The log
should fit flat against top of burner support
and log locator tabs fit into the slots under
the log. Do not allow log to contact flame.
If flame contacts log, soot will be created.
5. Reattach screen by placing the notches
in the screen frame over the shoulder
screws and pushing down.
 
1. Locate four black phillips sheet metal
screws from the hardware packet.
2. Rotate hood as shown in Figure 3. Make
sure hood tabs point toward fireplace.
3. Insert hood tabs between baffle and lou-
vers  Figure 3
Figure 3 - Assembling Hood
Hood
Louver
Hood Tab
Baffle
Sheet Metal
Screw
Firebox Top
Hood Tabs
WARNING:Alwayshavebranchsup-
port and screen in place before operat-
ing fireplace. This prevents excessive
temperatures on fireplace surfaces.
WARNING: Failure to position
the parts in accordance with these
diagrams or failure to use only parts
specifically approved with this fire-
place may result in property damage
or personal injury.
UNPACKING
1. Remove fireplace and hood from carton.
Log is wrapped and inside fireplace. Do
not remove at this time.
2. Remove all protective packaging applied
to fireplace for shipment.
3. Make sure your fireplace includes one
hardware packet.
4. Check all items for any shipping damage.
If damaged, promptly inform dealer where
you purchased the fireplace.
4. Gently rotate hood to upright position.
Make sure hood tabs are behind louvers
and hood is resting on firebox top 
Figure 3
5. Align screw holes on hood with screw
holes on firebox top.
6. Insert screws as shown in Figure 3.
Tighten screws firmly.

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com
126871-01B 7
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION
Today’s homes are built more energy efficient
than ever. New materials, increased insulation
and new construction methods help reduce
heat loss in homes. Homeowners apply
weather strip and caulk around windows and
doors to keep the cold air out and the warm air
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-
pliances need 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.
 

The following are excerpts from 
      
  .
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 7 Through 9 will
help you classify your space and provide
adequate ventilation.
  
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.
    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-m2) 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, you must provide additional fresh
air. See Ventilation Air From Outdoors,
Page 9.
If your home does not meet all of the three
criteria above, proceed to Determining
Fresh-Air Flow for Firebox Location,
Page 8.
Confined and Unconfined Space
      
 allows two methods for determining
whether the space in which the heater is being
installed is confined or unconfined space. The
standard method
defines a confined space as
a space whose volume is less than 50 cubic
feet per 1,000 Btu/hr (4.8 m3per kw) of the ag-
gregate input rating of all appliances installed
in that space and an unconfined space as
a space whose volume is not less than 50
cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/hr (4.8 m3per 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 openings not furnished
with doors, are considered a part of the un-
confined space.
This appliance shall not be installed in a
confined space or unusually tight construction
unless provisions are provided for adequate
combustion and ventilation air.
Where the air infiltration rate of a structure is
known, the Known Air Infiltration Rate Method
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
there are doorless passageways or ventilation
grills between them.
WARNING: This appliance shall
not be installed in a room or space
unless the required volume of indoor
combustion air is provided by the
method described in the National
FuelGasCode,ANSIZ223.1/NFPA 54,
the International Fuel Gas Code, or
applicable local codes. Read the fol-
lowing instructions to ensure proper
freshairforthisandotherfuel-burning
appliances in your home.

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com 126871-01B8
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION
Continued
  
  
      
    

Use this work sheet to determine if you have
a confined or unconfined space.
 Includes the room in which you will
install appliance 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).
Length x Width x Height =__________cu. ft.
(volume of space)
ExampleSpace size 22 ft. (length) x 18 ft.
(width) x 8 ft. (ceiling height) = 3168 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3168 cu. ft. (volume of space) x
20 = 63,360 (maximum Btu/Hr the space can
support)
3. Add the Btu/Hr of all fuel burning appliances
in the space.
Gas water appliance* __________ Btu/Hr
Gas furnace __________ Btu/Hr
Vented gas appliance __________ 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 appliance __________ Btu/Hr
Gas firebox logs + _________ 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51,200 Btu/Hr (maximum the
space can support)
56,000 Btu/Hr (actual amount of
Btu/Hr used)
The space in the above example is a confined
space because the actual Btu/Hr used is more
than the maximum Btu/Hr the space can sup-
port. You must provide additional fresh air.
Your options are as follows:
A. Rework work sheet, adding the space
of an adjoining room. If the extra space
provides an unconfined space, remove
door to adjoining room or add ventilation
grills between rooms. See  
  , Page 9.
B. Vent room directly to the outdoors. See
   , Page 9.
C. Install a lower Btu/Hr gas log appliance, 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.
WARNING: If the area in which
the appliance may be operated 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/NFPA 54, the International
Fuel Gas Code, or applicable local
codes.
30,000
26,000
56,000

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com
126871-01B 9
 
    
This fresh air would come from an adjoining
unconfined space. When ventilating to an
adjoining unconfined space, you must provide
two permanent openings: one within 12" of the
ceiling and one within 12" of the floor on the
wall connecting the two spaces  
   Figure 4 You can also remove door
into adjoining room    Figure 4.
Follow the     
     
 for required size of ventilation
grills or ducts.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION
Continued
   
Provide extra fresh air by using ventilation
grills or ducts. You must provide two perma-
nent openings: one within 12" of the ceiling
and one within 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  
      
   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.
Figure 5 - Ventilation Air from Outdoors
Shown with Optional Mantel
Outlet
Air
Ventilated
Attic
Outlet
Air
Inlet
Air
Inlet Air Ve ntilated
Crawl Space
To
Crawl
Space
To Attic
Figure 4 - Ventilation Air from Inside
Building Shown with Optional Mantel
Or
Remove
Door into
Adjoining
Room,
Option 3
Ventilation Grills
Into Adjoining Room,
Option 2
12"
12"
Ventilation
Grills into
Adjoining
Room,
Option 1

SuperiorFireplaces.us.com 126871-01B10
INSTALLATION
IMPORTANT Vent-free fireplaces add mois-
ture to the air. Although this is beneficial,
installing fireplace in rooms without enough
ventilation air may cause mildew to form from
too much moisture. See   
  Page 7.
NOTE       
      
       
      
     
      
      
    
Use the dimensions shown for rough openings
to create the easiest installation  
  Page 11
  
Use only the correct type of gas (natural or
propane/LP). If your gas supply is not the
correct gas type, do not install heater. Call
dealer where you bought heater for proper
type heater.
   
    
     
      
     

 
Before installing fireplace, make sure you
have the items listed below.
• external regulator - propane/LP only (sup-
plied by installer)
• piping (check local codes)
• sealant (resistant to propane/LP gas)
• equipment shutoff valve *
• test gauge connection*
• ground joint union
• sediment trap
• tee joint
• pipe wrench
* A shutoff valve with 1/8" NPT tap is an ac-
ceptable alternative to test gauge connection.
Purchase the optional equipment shutoff valve
from your dealer.
NOTE      
     
Page 31
    
   
     
    
      
      
    
   
     
    
      
     
    
WARNING: A qualified ser-
vice person must install fire-
place. Follow all local codes.
WARNING: Never install the
fireplace
• in a bedroom or a bathroom
• in a recreational vehicle
• where curtains, furniture,
clothing, or other flammable
objects are less than 36" from
the front, top, or sides of the
fireplace
• as a fireplace insert
• in high traffic areas
• in windy or drafty areas
CAUTION: This fireplace
creates warm air currents.
These currents move heat to
wall surfaces next to fireplace.
Installing fireplace next to vinyl
or cloth wall coverings or oper-
ating fireplace where impurities
(such as, but not limited to, to-
bacco smoke, aromatic candles,
cleaning fluids, oil or kerosene
lamps, etc.) in the air exist, may
discolor walls or cause odors.