Totem EPI User manual

OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
www.totemfire.com
EPI
a t o t a l v i e w o f f i r e
"technika" Range

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Contents
1Foreword...............................................................................................................................................3
2Operating instructions............................................................................................................................4
2.1 Basic safety rules...........................................................................................................................4
2.1.1 General points.........................................................................................................................4
2.1.2 Fire hazard zone .....................................................................................................................4
2.1.3 In the event of fire propagation in the flue................................................................................5
2.2 How does Totem fireplace work?....................................................................................................6
2.2.1 Door........................................................................................................................................7
2.2.2 Smoke damper trap...............................................................................................................11
2.2.3 Reflectors..............................................................................................................................14
2.3 Using your appliance for the first time...........................................................................................15
2.4 How to operate the fire.................................................................................................................16
2.4.1 Lighting .................................................................................................................................16
2.4.2 Adding wood .........................................................................................................................17
2.4.3 Extinction...............................................................................................................................18
2.5 Initial checks in case of poor functioning.......................................................................................19
2.6 Maintenance guide.......................................................................................................................20
2.6.1 Cleaning the glass.................................................................................................................20
2.6.2 Cleaning the fireplace............................................................................................................21
2.6.3 Maintenance and Chimney Sweeping ...................................................................................22
2.7 Maintenance record......................................................................................................................25
3Basic information about firewood.........................................................................................................26
3.1 General points..............................................................................................................................26
3.2 Drying of wood and its moisture content.......................................................................................29
3.3 Types of fuel which are forbidden.................................................................................................30
4Dimensions..........................................................................................................................................31
5EC certifications ..................................................................................................................................32
6Warranty..............................................................................................................................................33
6.1 Statutory warranty........................................................................................................................33
6.2 Contract guarantee.......................................................................................................................33
6.3 The following are not covered by the warranty..............................................................................33

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1Foreword
You have purchased a Totem fireplace, thank you for your custom.
Read these operating instructions carefully in order to obtain the best and safest use of your new
installation.
Totem fireplaces are high-tech, high-performance appliances, in particular with regard to safety.
Installation of the fireplace, its accessories and the materials which surround it must be carried out
according to best practice and in compliance with all local and national regulations as well as all national
and European standards.
A qualified professional shall have ensured, in particular, that the characteristics of the chimney flue and its
environment are suitable for the fireplace to be installed.
Any modification to your Totem fireplace will render the warranty null and void.
If you have any questions about how the appliance works, please contact your fitter.
The explanations in this manual only apply to the Totem Epi Technika fireplace.
For further information, consult our Internet site: www.totemfire.com

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2Operating instructions
2.1 Basic safety rules
2.1.1 General points
Your Totem fireplace is fitted with foldaway swinging doors which allow it to operate with the door
lowered (shut) in complete safety and an easy wood loading door open.
It is essential to wear protective gloves or use the safe handling tool to handle the door.
When the door is lowered (shut) the accessible surfaces of the frame of the door and the vitro-
ceramics rise considerably in temperature when the appliance is in operation and can cause burns
when touched.
Explain the risks of burns to children and ensure that they are not close to the fireplace when it is in
use.
It is strictly forbidden to open the swinging door when the appliance is in use (see page 8)
2.1.2 Fire hazard zone
Do not store flammable items within an 80
cm radius around the fireplace door.
(logs, tables, chairs, firelighters…)
No flammable material must be placed in the
appliance’s fire hazard zone.
Fire hazard zone
80 cm
Fireplace

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2.1.3 In the event of fire propagation in the flue
If maintenance and operating conditions are adhered to, there is no risk of fire in your flue. Nevertheless,
please read these rules concerning chimney flue fires.
Never use water to put out the fire.Water causes thermal shock which could cause the bricks and vitro-
ceramics of the fireplace to explode.
Close all the combustion air inlets, the smoke damper trap as well as the door, using the safe handling tool
to extinguish the fire.
Move any flammable objects away from the fireplace.
Call the fire brigade.
Before using again, it is compulsory to have the entire installation
(especially the ducts) checked and cleaned by a qualified
professional.
A fit for use certificate provided by a professional is
compulsory.
In the European Union
dial 112

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2.2 How does Totem fireplace work?
HEATING BY RADIATION AND CONVECTION
Burning wood produces heat by radiation and convection.
To optimise radiation of the fire, Technika fireplaces are equipped with very large panes of glass and
reflectors (see p14). The reflectors reduce the temperature of the smoke evacuated and increase that of
the fire. In this way, they directly contribute to improving your appliance’s performance.
Convection air is taken from inside the house at floor level; it increases in temperature by circulating around
the fireplace and inside its double lining before being redistributed via the 4 hot air vents.
Ambient air
Warmed air,
redistributed into
your house

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2.2.1 Door
Foldaway door
Your Totem fireplace is fitted with a foldaway door. This is used to make the appliance function on a daily
basis.
The foldaway door must not be open when using the fireplace except when loading wood.
The fireplace is designed to operate with the door closed in order to optimise heating performance and
allow you to enjoy the fire in complete safety.
To prepare the fire and add wood raise the door. Our doors are fitted with a stainless steel handle to
facilitate use.
When the appliance is hot, use a glove or the safe handling tool to operate it.
Open the door by a few centimeters before fully opening to prevent down draughts.
Note: To prevent smoke from being discharged into your house, never allow your fireplace to operate with
the door half open.
The Totem safe handling tool
The safe handling tool, supplied with every fireplace, allows the various elements of the fireplace
to be handled without risk of burns.
Door raised
Door lowered

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Forge effect
When the appliance is functioning with the door closed, there must be no passage of air under the
door.
Check that nothing is preventing the door from
closing correctly (embers, pieces of wood…)
The air flow entering the fireplace is accelerated by
the reduced passage under the door.
This air causes the fire to be over active. The wood
burns too quickly
The appliance becomes less efficient.
Swinging door
The swinging door must only be used for cleaning the glass, never for operation with the door open or for
loading wood.
To open the swinging door, lower the door to the maximum,
Push the latches (1)
Pull the swinging door (2)
To close the swinging door, push the door in the direction of
the fireplace.
Check that the latches lock correctly.
2
AIR
The door must be COMPLETELY closed.
4b
1

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1.1 Normal operation
Fresh air is distributed in three directions and for three co-operating functions:
-Under the hearth floor, primary air is used to intensify the fire
-Above the glass panes, secondary air creates a film of air along them which reduces carbon
deposits
-the portion injected into the after-burn reduces the amount of carbon monoxide released into the
atmosphere.
PRIMARY AIR
The primary air control connected to the air intake flap allows you to control the
rate of your fire and adjust its power.
A hole in the control has been created to allow you to handle it using the safe handling tool and in this way
prevent burns.
Primary air

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SECONDARY AIR
Above the glass panes, secondary air creates a film of air along them which
reduces carbon deposits.
AFTERBURN AIR
Afterburn air is injected into the centre of the fireplace above the flames.
The injected air reduces the amount of carbon monoxide released into the
atmosphere. It reduces the impact of combustion on the environment and increases
the appliance’s output.
Secondary air
Afterburn air

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2.2.2 Smoke damper trap
Automatic smoke damper trap
The control allows you to preset opening of the damper trap, which controls evacuation of smoke, when the
door is lowered.
The presetting control is located in the centre of the fireplace, above the door:
Safe handling
tool

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To change the setting:
1- Press the presetting control in order to disengage it from its catches
2- Keeping it pressed, make it slide up or down in order to obtain the desired setting:
Control at the top = trap more open increased draught
Control at the bottom = trap more closed decreased draught
3- Once you have obtained the desired position, release the control.
4- When using the appliance for the first few times, it will be necessary to set the damper trap
according to the natural draught of your chimney.
Presetting
control
5
4
3
2
1
Locking catches
More draught
Less draught

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When loading wood
To reduce the risk of down draught when you raise the fireplace
door to load wood, Totem has developed an automatic smoke and
air management system.
When you raise the door (1):
-The smoke damper trap (2) opens when you raise the
foldaway door (door open), this prevents down draughts.
-The air booster flap (3) opens under the fireplace to
provide the extra amount of air required to supply a draught with
the door open and prevent controlled mechanical ventilation or a
cooker hood from causing a reverse draught in your fireplace.
When closing the door, the damper returns to its initial position and the booster flap closes.
2
1
3

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2.2.3 Reflectors
The TOTEM FIRE SAS company recommends that they are installed to improve efficiency.
The reflectors fitted in Technika reduce the temperature of the evacuated smoke and increase that of the
fire. In this way, they directly contribute to improving the performance of your equipment. They are
detachable for chimney-sweeping.
Vermiculite is a fragile material, please take care when handling.
2 vermiculite
reflectors
Reflector support

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2.3 Using your appliance for the first time
Before lighting your fire for the first time, remove any documents and accessories it may contain.
Also check the ash pit.
Allow covering materials to dry (rough plaster, finishing plaster…) before using the appliance for the first
time to prevent them from deteriorating by drying too quickly.
During the first few hours of use, maintain a moderate fire to allow the materials time to cure.
Each time you use the fireplace, gradually increase the load of wood.
Smoke and odours may be released the first few times you use the fire.
They are due to final evaporation of paint, the sheet metal preservative oil and drying bricks. If this occurs,
ensure that the room in which the appliance is located is well ventilated.

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2.4 How to operate the fire
2.4.1 Lighting
If you have not used your appliance for a long time, check that none of your fireplace’s air passages are
obstructed (chimney flue, outside air delivery pipe, convection and ventilation grille) before lighting.
- Open the foldaway door (1)
- Open the combustion air control (2)
- Place two or three chopped logs in the centre of the
fireplace.
- Place dry and resawn kindling on top. Position your wood
so as to allow air to circulate freely.
- Place paper or firelighter on the kindling.
- Light the paper or firelighter
- Allow the flue to increase gradually in temperature without causing the fire to
become over active.
- Allow about fifteen minutes for your fire to catch before fully lowering the door using a glove or the safe
handling tool.
Once the fire has started, you can reduce the combustion air supply as well as the smoke evacuation flow
rate.
Load wood before the fire has become a bed of embers.
Recommendation: Never overload your fireplace with wood, especially when starting it up.
1
3
3
2

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2.4.2 Adding wood
To open the door during operation, slightly raise the door, pausing before fully opening it to prevent any risk
of down draught.
Use protective gloves or the Totem safe handling tool to operate the fireplace’s door handle in order to
protect you from burns.
Tip: For optimal heating, align your logs on the appliance’s ash tray.
Maximum loads of dry wood per hour of operation
Maximum output: 20 kW
Rated output: 14kW
The rated output of 14 kW corresponds to approximately 3 kg of loaded wood, i.e. 3 logs measuring 35 cm.
It is at this output that your fireplace performs optimally.
Example output: 9kW
However, depending on the size of your house and the temperatures required, you can use the fireplace at
a lower output; by loading approximately 2 kg of wood (for example 2 logs measuring 35 cm), the power
released by your fireplace will be approximately 9 kW.
Maximum Weight 50 cm logs Equivalence in kW
Epi Technika 5 kg 3 - 4 20
4 logs weighing approximately 5 kg

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2.4.3 Extinction
Fully lower the door.
Close the combustion air control.
Allow the fire to go out.

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2.5 Initial checks in case of poor functioning
When the door is closed, the wood burns too quickly and the fire is over active:
- Is the fire door shut properly?
- Are the reflectors in place? (see page 14)
- Do you use recommended firewood? (see page29)
- Is the wood too small?
When the door is closed, the fireplace does not heat up sufficiently:
- Are the ventilation and convection grilles clogged up?
- Is the fireplace door correctly shut?
- Have you loaded enough wood?
The wood does not burn well:
- Is the wood too humid? (see page 30)
- Are the pieces of wood too large? If so, saw them.

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2.6 Maintenance guide
Before carrying out any maintenance on your appliance, wait for it to completely cool down to prevent any
risk of burns or fire.
2.6.1 Cleaning the glass
Carefully cover the floor below the door so as not to mark it.
Take a pair of gloves, a bucket of warm water, a sponge, washing up liquid or a product for cleaning glass
and newspaper.
Never use abrasive oven products, this damages the door gaskets.
Open the swinging door (see page 8)
Apply the product on the inside of the glass and allow it time to act.
Do not spray the product directly onto the glass. Spray it onto a cloth then wipe the glass with the
cloth.
During this time, empty the ash tray and clean the fireplace.
Use a wet cloth to rinse.
Dry with newspaper.
Repeat these cleaning procedures until the glass is clean.
Note: using good quality, sufficiently dry wood (see page 30) reduces carbon deposits on the glass.