Valcourt FP12 Mundo User manual

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45707A
PrintedinCanada19‐11‐2014
READANDKEEPTHISMANUALFORREFERENCE
FP12Mundo
InstallationAndOperationManual
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USENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCY
PHASEIICERTIFIEDWOODFIREPLACE
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ListedtostandardsULC‐S610andUL127
byanaccreditedlaboratory
www.valcourtinc.com
Manufacturedby:
StoveBuilderInternationalInc.
250rueCopenhague,Saint‐Augustin‐de‐Desmaures(Quebec),
Canada,G3A2H3Tel.:(418)878‐3040Fax:(418)878‐3001
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Thismanualisavailableforfreedownloadonthemanufacturer’swebsite.Itisacopyrighteddocument.
Re‐saleisstrictlyprohibited.Themanufacturermayupdatethismanualfromtimetotimeandcannotbe
responsibleforproblems,injuries,ordamagesarisingoutoftheuseofinformationcontainedinanymanual
obtainedfromunauthorizedsources.

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2FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
THANKYOUFORCHOOSINGTHISVALCOURTWOODFIREPLACE
AsoneofNorthAmerica’slargestandmostrespectedwoodstoveandfireplacemanufacturers,Stove
BuilderInternationaltakesprideinthequalityandperformanceofallitsproducts.Wewanttohelpyouget
maximumsatisfactionasyouusethisproduct.
Inthepagesthatfollowyouwillfindgeneraladviceonwoodheating,detailedinstructionsforsafeand
effectiveinstallation,andguidanceonhowtogetthebestperformancefromthisfireplaceasyoubuildand
maintainfires,andmaintainyourwoodheatingsystem.
Werecommendthatourwoodburninghearthproductsbeinstalledandservicedbyprofessionalswhoare
certifiedintheUnitedStatesbyNFI(NationalFireplaceInstitute®)orinCanadabyWETT(WoodEnergy
TechnologyTransfer)orinQuebecbyAPC(AssociationdesProfessionnelsduChauffage).
Congratulationsonmakingawisepurchase.
Ifthisfireplaceisnotproperlyinstalled,combustiblematerialsnearitmayoverheat.Toreducetheriskof
fire,followtheinstallationinstructionsinthismanualexactly.Contactlocalbuildingorfireofficialsabout
restrictionsandinstallationinspectionrequirementsinyourarea.
Pleasereadthisentiremanualbeforeyouinstallanduseyournewfireplace.Youmayneedtogeta
buildingpermitfortheinstallationofthisfireplaceandthechimneythatitisconnectedto.Consultyour
municipalbuildingdepartmentorfiredepartmentbeforeinstallation.Werecommendthatyoualso
informyourhomeinsurancecompanytofindoutiftheinstallationwillaffectyourpolicy.
Thisheatingunitisdesignedtoserveasasupplementaryheatsource.Werecommendthataprimary
heatsourcealsobeavailableinthehome.Themanufacturercannotberesponsibleforcostsassociated
withtheuseofanotherheatingsystem.
CAUTION:Donotattempttomodifyoraltertheconstructionofthefireplaceoritscomponents.Any
modificationoralterationofconstructionmayvoidthewarranty,listingsandapprovalsofthissystem.In
thatcase,StoveBuilderInternational(SBI)willnotberesponsiblefordamages.Installthefireplaceonlyas
describedintheseinstructions.
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FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual3
Tableofcontent
PART A - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ........................................ 6
1Safety Information .............................................................................. 6
1.1SummaryofOperationandMaintenanceCautionsandWarnings.....................................................6
2General Information............................................................................ 8
2.1FP12MundoSpecifications..................................................................................................................8
2.2ZoneHeatingandHowtoMakeitWorkforYou..............................................................................11
2.3TheBenefitsofLowEmissionsandHighEfficiency..........................................................................11
2.4TheSBICommitmenttoYouandtheEnvironment..........................................................................12
2.4.1WhatisYourNewFireplaceMadeOf?.........................................................................................12
3Fuel ....................................................................................................13
3.1MaterialsThatShouldNotbeBurned..............................................................................................13
3.2HowtoPrepareorBuyGoodFirewood............................................................................................13
3.2.1WhatisGoodFirewood?...............................................................................................................13
3.2.2TreeSpecies...................................................................................................................................13
3.2.3LogLength.....................................................................................................................................14
3.2.4PieceSize.......................................................................................................................................14
3.2.5HowtoDryFirewood....................................................................................................................15
3.2.6JudgingFirewoodMoistureContent.............................................................................................15
3.3ManufacturedLogs...........................................................................................................................16
4Operating Your Fireplace.................................................................16
4.1Theuseofafirescreen.....................................................................................................................17
4.2YourFirstFires...................................................................................................................................17
4.3LightingFires.....................................................................................................................................17
4.3.1ConventionalFireStarting.............................................................................................................18
4.3.2TheTopDownFire........................................................................................................................18
4.3.3TwoParallelLogs...........................................................................................................................19
4.3.4UsingFireStarters.........................................................................................................................19
4.4MaintainingWoodFires....................................................................................................................19
4.4.1GeneralAdvice..............................................................................................................................19
4.4.2AshRemoval..................................................................................................................................20
4.4.3RakingCharcoal.............................................................................................................................20
4.4.4FiringEachNewLoadHot.............................................................................................................21
4.4.5TurningDowntheAirSupply........................................................................................................21
4.4.6BuildingDifferentFiresforDifferentNeeds.................................................................................22

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4FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
5Maintaining Your Wood Heating System........................................ 24
5.1FireplaceMaintenance......................................................................................................................24
5.1.1PlatedFinishMaintenance............................................................................................................24
5.1.2GlassDoorCleaning.......................................................................................................................24
5.1.3DoorAdjustment...........................................................................................................................25
5.1.4DoorAlignment.............................................................................................................................26
5.1.5ReplacingtheDoorGasket............................................................................................................28
5.1.6ReplacingtheGlassortheGlassGasket.......................................................................................29
5.1.7CleaningandPaintingtheFireplace..............................................................................................31
5.2ChimneyandChimneyLinerMaintenance.......................................................................................31
5.2.1WhyChimneyCleaningisNecessary.............................................................................................31
5.2.2HowOftenShouldYouCleantheChimney?.................................................................................31
5.2.3CleaningtheChimney....................................................................................................................32
5.2.4FireBaffleRemovalPriortoCleaningtheChimney......................................................................32
5.2.5ChimneyFire..................................................................................................................................33
PART B – INSTALLATION.....................................................................34
6Safety Information............................................................................34
6.1SummaryofInstallationCautionsandWarnings.............................................................................34
6.2RegulationsCoveringFireplaceInstallation......................................................................................35
6.3FireplaceInstallation.........................................................................................................................36
6.3.1LocatingtheFP12MUNDO............................................................................................................36
6.3.2MinimumHeartExtensionRequirements.....................................................................................42
6.3.3Framing,Facing,Mantel,andCombustibleShelf..........................................................................44
6.4HeatManagementSystems..............................................................................................................51
7Clearances to Combustible Material...............................................52
7.1LocatingtheCertificationLabel........................................................................................................52
8The Venting System .........................................................................53
8.1General..............................................................................................................................................53
8.2SuitableChimneys.............................................................................................................................53
8.3MinimumChimneyHeight................................................................................................................53
8.4TheRelationshipBetweentheChimneyandtheHouse..................................................................53
8.4.1Whythechimneyshouldpenetratethehighestheatedspace....................................................53
8.5ChimneyInstallationNotes...............................................................................................................54
8.6ChimneyInstallationInstructions.....................................................................................................57
8.6.1ExamplesofTypicalChimneyInstallation.....................................................................................57
8.6.2OffsetChimneyInstallation...........................................................................................................61

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FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual5
8.7AngledWallRadiationShield............................................................................................................65
8.8ChimneySupportInstallation...........................................................................................................65
8.8.1UniversalRoofSupport.................................................................................................................65
8.8.2UniversalOffsetSupport...............................................................................................................66
8.9InstallationInstructionsforMasonryApplication............................................................................66
8.10RequiredSupplyofCombustionAir..................................................................................................67
Appendix 1: Heat Management Systems Installation (AC01375 OR
AC01385) ...........................................................................................68
Appendix 2: Optional Finishing Trim Installation (VA10FL02)..........81
Appendix 3: Installing the Optional Fire Screen (AC011364) ............82
Appendix 4: Installing the Mandatory Adapter for Fresh Air Intake Kit
............................................................................................................83
Appendix 5: Installation of Secondary Air Tubes and Baffle ............86
Appendix 6: Exploded Diagram and Parts List................................... 90
VALCOURT LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY......................................95
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REGISTERYOURWARRANTYONLINE
Toreceivefullwarrantycoverage,youwillneedtoshowevidenceof
thedateyoupurchasedyourunit.Keepyoursalesinvoice.Wealso
recommendthatyouregisteryourwarrantyonlineat
http://www.valcourtinc.com/warranty‐registration.aspx
Registeringyourwarrantyonlinewillhelpustrackrapidlythe
informationweneedonyourunit.
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6FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
PARTA‐OPERATIONANDMAINTENANCE
PleaseseePartBforinstallationinstructions.
1SAFETYINFORMATION
1.1 SummaryofOperationandMaintenanceCautionsandWarnings
•HOTWHILEINOPERATION,KEEPCHILDREN,CLOTHINGANDFURNITUREAWAY.CONTACTMAY
CAUSESKINBURNS.GLOVESMAYBENEEDEDFORFIREPLACEOPERATION.
•USINGAFIREPLACEWITHCRACKEDORBROKENCOMPONENTS,SUCHASGLASSORFIREBRICKSOR
BAFFLESMAYPRODUCEANUNSAFECONDITIONANDMAYDAMAGETHEFIREPLACE.
•OPERATEONLYWITHDOORFULLYCLOSEDORFULLYOPENWITHFIRESCREENINPLACE.IFDOORIS
LEFTPARTLYOPEN,GASANDFLAMEMAYBEDRAWNOUTOFTHEOPENING,CREATINGRISKSFROM
BOTHFIREANDSMOKE.
•OPENTHEAIRCONTROLFULLYBEFOREOPENINGTHELOADINGDOOR.
•THISFIREPLACEHASBEENTESTEDFORUSEWITHANOPENDOORINCONJUNCTIONWITHAFIRE
SCREEN(AC01364,SOLDSEPARATELY).THEDOORMAYBEOPENORFIRESCREENREMOVEDONLY
DURINGLIGHTINGPROCEDURESORRELOADING.ALWAYSCLOSETHEDOORORPUTBACKTHEFIRE
SCREENAFTERIGNITION.DONOTLEAVETHEFIREPLACEUNATTENDEDWHENTHEDOORISOPENED
WITHORWITHOUTFIRESCREEN.
•DONOTINSTALLTHEFIREPLACEOUTDOORS.
•THEFIREPLACEANDCHIMNEYMUSTBEINANENCLOSUREUPTOTHEATTIC.
•NEVERUSEGASOLINE,LANTERNFUEL(NAPHTHA),FUELOIL,MOTOROIL,KEROSENE,CHARCOAL
LIGHTERFLUID,ORSIMILARLIQUIDSORAEROSOLSTOSTARTAFIREINTHISFIREPLACE.KEEPALL
SUCHLIQUIDSORAEROSOLSWELLAWAYFROMTHEFIREPLACEWHILEITISINUSE.
•DONOTSTOREFUELWITHINHEATERMINIMUMINSTALLATIONCLEARANCES.
•BURNONLYSEASONEDNATURALFIREWOOD.
•DONOTBURN:
oGARBAGEOFANYKIND,
oCOALORCHARCOAL,
oTREATED,PAINTEDORCOATEDWOOD,
oPLYWOODORPARTICLEBOARD,
oFINEPAPER,COLOREDPAPERORCARDBOARD,
oSALTWATERDRIFTWOOD,
oMANUFACTUREDLOGSCONTAININGWAXORCHEMICALADDITIVES,
oRAILROADTIESOR
oLIQUIDSSUCHASKEROSCENEORDIESELFUELTOSTARTAFIRE.
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
FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual7
•THISAPPLIANCESHOULDBEMAINTAINEDANDOPERATEDATALLTIMESINACCORDANCEWITH
THESEINSTRUCTIONS.
•DONOTELEVATETHEFIREBYMEANSOFGRATES,ANDIRONSOROTHERMEANS.
•THISFIREPLACEMUSTALWAYSBEUSEDWITHTHEORIGINALANDIRONS(SEEAPPENDIX5:EXPLODED
DIAGRAMANDPARTSLISTFORREPLACEMENTPARTS).
•ASUPPLYOFCOMBUSTIONAIRFROMOUTDOORSISREQUIREDFORTHISFIREPLACE.WE
RECOMMENDINSTALLINGACARBONMONOXIDEDETECTORINTHESAMEROOMWHERETHE
FIREPLACEISINSTALLED.
CAUTION:KEEPCOMBUSTIBLEMATERIALSATLEAST48INCHESAWAYFROMTHEFRONTOFTHE
FIREPLACEOPENING.
CAUTION:DONOTUSEAFIREPLACEINSERTANDOTHERPRODUCTSNOTSPECIFIEDFORUSEWITH
THISFIREPLACE.
CAUTION: DONOTOBSTRUCTAIRINTLETS.THISFIREPLACENEEDSAIRFORITSGOODOPERATION.
CAUTION: DONOTBLOCKTHEHOTAIRVENTSTOTHEFIREPLACEASTHISWILLCAUSETHEFIREPLACE
TOOVERHEAT.
WARNING:DONOTUSEMATERIALSOTHERTHANTHOSELISTEDINTHEREPLACEMENTPARTS
SECTIONDURINGINSTALLATIONASTHEYMAYBESAFETYHAZARDSANDAFIRECOULD
RESULT.
WARNING:THISFIREPLACEHASNOTBEENTESTEDWITHANUNVENTEDORVENTEDGASLOGSET.TO
REDUCERISKOFFIREORINJURY,DONOTINSTALLANUNVENTEDGASLOGSETINTOTHIS
FIREPLACE.
CAUTION:DONOTINSTALLINAMOBILEHOME(CANADA)ORMANUFACTUREDHOME*(USA).
*TheUSdepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentdescribes“manufacturedhomes”
betterknownas“mobilehome”asfollowed;Buildingsbuiltonfixedwheelsandthose
transportedontemporarywheels/axlesandsetonapermanentfoundation.
PLEASENOTETHATTHEPICTURESSHOWNINTHISMANUALAREGENERIC
ANDMAYNOTMATCHEXACTLYTHELOOKOFYOURFIREPLACE.
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8FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
2GENERALINFORMATION
2.1 FP12MundoSpecifications
FuelTypeCordwood
TestStandards(safety)ULC‐S610andUL127
TestStandard(emissions)EPAMethod28(40CFRPart60)
Heatingcapacityrange*500to2100sq.ft.(46.5to195m2)
Maximumheatoutput**
(EPAtestfuel)30,450BTU/h(8.9kW/h)
Maximumheatoutput**
(naturalhardwoodfuel)75,000BTU/h(22kW/h)
Optimumefficiency77%
ParticulateEmissions4.4g/h
ApproximateBurnTime*8to9hours
ShippingWeight429lb(195kg)
FireboxVolume2.5cu.ft.(0.071m3)
MaximumLogLength21"east‐west***
FlueOutletDiameter6"(150mm)diameter(vertical)
BaffleMaterialC‐Cast
MobilehomeapprovedNo

*Burntimeandheatingcapacitymayvarysubjecttolocationinhome,chimneydraft,chimneydiameter,
locality,heatlossfactors,climate,fuelsandothervariables.
**TheEPAtestfuelisdimensionalDouglasfirpiecesstapledtogetherintocribswithairspacesbetween.
Wealsotestusingthesameprocedureexceptusingsplithardwoodfirewoodtoreflectreal‐worldheat
output.Thisfireplaceisnotintendedtooperateatitspeakheatoutputcontinuously.
***East‐west:throughthedooryouseethesidesofthelogs.

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FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual9
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10FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
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FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual11
2.2 ZoneHeatingandHowtoMakeitWorkforYou
YournewFP12Mundowoodfireplaceisaspaceheater,whichmeansitisintendedtoheattheareaitis
installedin,aswellasspacesthatconnecttothatarea,althoughtoalowertemperature.Thisiscalledzone
heatinganditisanincreasinglypopularwaytoheathomesorspaceswithinhomes.
Zoneheatingcanbeusedtosupplementanotherheatingsystembyheatingaparticularspacewithina
home,suchasabasementfamilyroomoranadditionthatlacksanotherheatsource.
Housesofmoderatesizeandrelativelynewconstructioncanbeheatedwithaproperlysizedandlocated
woodfireplace.Wholehousezoneheatingworksbestwhenthefireplaceislocatedinthepartofthehouse
wherethefamilyspendsmostofitstime.Thisisnormallythemainlivingareawherethekitchen,dining
andlivingroomsarelocated.Bylocatingthefireplaceinthisarea,youwillgetthemaximumbenefitofthe
heatitproducesandwillachievethehighestpossibleheatingefficiencyandcomfort.Thespacewhereyou
spendmostofyourtimewillbewarmest,whilebedroomsandbasement(ifthereisone)willstaycooler.In
thisway,youwillburnlesswoodthanwithotherformsofheating.
Althoughthefireplacemaybeabletoheatthemainlivingareasofyourhousetoanadequatetemperature,
westronglyrecommendthatyoualsohaveaconventionaloil,gasorelectricheatingsystemtoprovide
backupheating.
Yoursuccesswithzoneheatingwilldependonseveralfactors,includingthecorrectsizingandlocationof
thefireplace,thesize,layoutandageofyourhomeandyourclimatezone.Three‐seasonvacationhomes
canusuallybeheatedwithsmallerfireplacesthanhousesthatareheatedallwinter.
2.3 TheBenefitsofLowEmissionsandHighEfficiency
ThelowsmokeemissionsproducedbythespecialfeaturesinsidetheFP12Mundofireboxmeanthatyour
householdwillreleaseupto90percentlesssmokeintotheoutsideenvironmentthanifyouusedanolder
conventionalstove.Butthereismoretotheemissioncontroltechnologiesthanprotectingthe
environment.
Thesmokereleasedfromwoodwhenitisheatedcontainsabouthalfoftheenergycontentofthefuel.By
burningthewoodcompletely,yourfireplacereleasesalltheheatenergyfromthewoodinsteadofwasting
itassmokeupthechimney.Also,thefeaturesinsidethefireboxallowyoutoreducetheairsupplyto
controlheatoutput,whilemaintainingcleanandefficientflamingcombustion,whichbooststheefficient
deliveryofheattoyourhome.
Theemissioncontrolandadvancedcombustionfeaturesofyourfireplacecanonlyworkproperlyifyour
fuelisinthecorrectmoisturecontentrangeof15to20percent.SeeSection3:Fuelofthismanualfor
suggestionsonpreparingfuelwoodandjudgingitsmoisture.

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12FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
2.4 TheSBICommitmenttoYouandtheEnvironment
TheSBIteamiscommittedtoprotectingtheenvironment,sowedoeverythingwecantouseonly
materialsinourproductsthatwillhavenolastingnegativeimpactontheenvironment.
2.4.1 WhatisYourNewFireplaceMadeOf?
Thebodyofyourfireplace,whichismostofitsweight,iscarbonsteel.Shoulditeverbecomenecessary
manyyearsinthefuture,almosttheentirefireplacecanberecycledintonewproducts,thuseliminating
theneedtominenewmaterials.
Thepaintcoatingonyourfireplaceisverythin.ItsVOCcontent(VolatileOrganicCompounds)isverylow.
VOCscanberesponsibleforsmog,soallthepaintusedduringthemanufacturingprocessmeetsthelatest
airqualityrequirementsregardingVOCreductionorelimination.
Theairtubesarestainlesssteel,whichcanalsoberecycled.
TheC‐Castbaffleismadeofanaluminosilicatefibrematerialthatiscompressedwithabindertoforma
rigidboard.C‐Castcanwithstandtemperaturesabove2,000°F.Itisnotconsideredhazardouswaste.
Disposalatalandfillisrecommended.
Mouldedrefractorybricksaremainlycomposedofsilicondioxide,alsoknownassilica,aproductprocessed
fromaminedmineral.Itismostcommonlyfoundinnatureintheformofsandandclay.Disposalata
landfillisrecommended.Thesteelmeshcontainedinsomerefractorybrickscanberecycled.
Thedoorandglassgasketsarefibreglasswhichisspunfrommeltedsand.Blackgasketshavebeendipped
intoasolvent‐freesolution.Disposalatalandfillisrecommended.
Thedoorglassisa5mmthickceramicmaterialthatcontainsnotoxicchemicals.Itismadeofnaturalraw
materialssuchassandandquartzthatarecombinedinsuchawaytoformahightemperatureglass.
Ceramicglasscannotberecycledinthesamewayasnormalglass,soitshouldnotbedisposedofwithyour
regularhouseholdproducts.Disposalatalandfillisrecommended.

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FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual13
3FUEL
3.1 MaterialsThatShouldNotbeBurned
•GARBAGEOFANYKIND,
•COALORCHARCOAL,
•TREATED,PAINTEDORCOATEDWOOD,
•PLYWOODORPARTICLEBOARD,
•FINEPAPER,COLOREDPAPERORCARDBOARD,
•SALTWATERDRIFTWOOD,
•MANUFACTUREDLOGSCONTAININGWAXORCHEMICALADDITIVES,
•RAILROADTIES,
•LIQUIDSSUCHASKEROSENEORDIESELFUELTOSTARTAFIRE.
WARNING:DONOTPOKEORSTIRTHELOGSWHILETHEYAREBURNING.USEONLYFIRELOGSTHAT
HAVEBEENTESTEDFORUSEINFIREPLACES(SEEULC/ORD‐C127,COMPOSITEFIRELOGS)
ANDPRIORTOUSE,REFERTOFIRELOGWARNINGSANDCAUTIONSMARKINGSON
PACKAGING.
3.2 HowtoPrepareorBuyGoodFirewood
3.2.1 WhatisGoodFirewood?
Goodfirewoodhasbeencuttothecorrectlengthforthefireplace,splittoarangeofsizesandstackedin
theopenuntilitsmoisturecontentisreducedto15to20percent.
3.2.2 TreeSpecies
Thetreespeciesthefirewoodisproducedfromislessimportantthanitsmoisturecontent.Themain
differenceinfirewoodfromvarioustreespeciesisthedensityofthewood.Hardwoodsaredenserthan
softwoods.PeoplewholiveinthecoldestregionsofNorthAmericausuallyhaveonlyspruce,birchand
poplar,otherlow‐densityspeciestoburnandyettheycanheattheirhomessuccessfully.
Homeownerswithaccesstobothhardwoodandsoftwoodfuelsometimesusebothtypesfordifferent
purposes.Forexample,softerwoodsmakegoodfuelforrelativelymildweatherinspringandfallbecause
theylightquicklyandproducelessheatSoftwoodsarenotasdenseashardwoodssoagivenvolumeof
woodcontainslessenergy.Usingsoftwoodsavoidsoverheatingthehouse,whichcanbeacommon
problemwithwoodheatinginmoderateweather.Harderwoodsarebestforcolderwinterweatherwhen
moreheatandlongerburncyclesaredesirable.
Notethathardwoodtreeslikeoak,maple,ashandbeechareslowergrowingandlongerlivedthansofter
woodslikepoplarandbirch.Thatmakeshardwoodtreesmorevaluable.Theadvicethatonlyhardwoods
aregoodtoburnisoutdated.Old,leakycastironstoveswouldn’tholdafireovernightunlesstheywerefed
largepiecesofhardwood.Thatisnolongertrue.Youcansuccessfullyheatyourhomebyusingtheless
desirabletreespeciesandgivetheforestabreakatthesametime.

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14FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
3.2.3 LogLength
Logsshouldbecutatleast1”(25mm)shorterthanthefireboxsotheyfitineasily.Piecesthatareeven
slightlytoolongmakeloadingthefireplaceverydifficult.Themostcommonstandardlengthoffirewoodis
16”(400mm).
Thepiecesshouldbeaconsistentlength,withamaximumof1”(25mm)variationfrompiecetopiece.
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3.2.4 PieceSize
Firewooddriesmorequicklywhenitissplit.Largeunsplitroundscantakeyearstodryenoughtoburn.
Evenwhendried,unsplitlogsaredifficulttoignitebecausetheydon’thavethesharpedgeswherethe
flamesfirstcatch.Logsassmallas3”(75mm)shouldbesplittoencouragedrying.
 
Woodshouldbesplittoarangeofsizes,fromabout3”to6”(75mmto150mm)incrosssection.Havinga
rangeofsizesmakesstartingandrekindlingfiresmucheasier.Often,thefirewoodpurchasedfrom
commercialsuppliersisnotsplitfinelyenoughforconvenientstoking.Itissometimesadvisabletoresplit
thewoodbeforestackingtodry.



FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual15
3.2.5 HowtoDryFirewood
Firewoodthatisnotdryenoughtoburnisthecauseofmostcomplaintsaboutwoodfireplaces.Continually
burninggreenorunseasonedwoodproducesmorecreosoteandinvolveslackofheatanddirtyglassdoor.
SeeSection5:Maintainingyourwoodheatingsystemforconcernsaboutcreosote.

Herearesomethingstoconsiderinestimatingdryingtime:
•firewoodtakesalongtimetodry
•firewoodboughtfromadealerisrarelydryenoughtoburn,soitisadvisabletobuythewoodinspring
anddryityourself
•dryinghappensfasterindryweatherthanindamp,maritimeclimates
•dryinghappensfasterinwarmsummerweatherthaninwinterweather
•smallpiecesdrymorequicklythanlargepieces
•splitpiecesdrymorequicklythanunsplitrounds
•softwoodstakelesstimetodrythanhardwoods
•softwoodslikepine,spruce,andpoplar/aspencanbedryenoughtoburnafterbeingstackedinthe
openforonlythesummermonths
•hardwoodslikeoak,mapleandashcantakeone,oreventwoyearstodryfully,especiallyifthepieces
arebig
•firewooddriesmorequicklywhenstackedintheopenwhereitisexposedtosunandwind;ittakes
muchlongertodrywhenstackedinawoodshed
•firewoodthatisreadytoburnhasamoisturecontentbetween15and20%byweightandwillallow
yourfireplacetoproduceitshighestpossibleefficiency
3.2.6 JudgingFirewoodMoistureContent
Youcanfindoutifsomefirewoodisdryenoughtoburnbyusingtheseguidelines:
•cracksformattheendsoflogsastheydry
•asitdriesinthesun,thewoodturnsfromwhiteorcreamcoloredtogreyoryellow,
•bangtwopiecesofwoodtogether;seasonedwoodsoundshollowandwetwoodsoundsdull,
•drywoodismuchlighterinweightthanwetwood,
•splitapiece,andifthefreshfacefeelswarmanddryitisdryenoughtoburn;ifitfeelsdamp,itistoo
wet,
•burnapiece;wetwoodhissesandsizzlesinthefireanddrywooddoesnot.


16FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual

Youcouldbuyawoodmoisturemetertotestyour
firewood.

3.3 ManufacturedLogs
Donotburnmanufacturedlogsmadeofwax
impregnatedsawdustorlogswithanychemical
additives.Manufacturedlogsmadeof100%
compressedsawdustcanbeburned,butuse
cautioninthenumberoftheselogsburnedatone
time.Startwithonemanufacturedlogandseehow
thefireplacereacts.Neverusemorethantwo
manufacturedlogsatatime.
4OPERATINGYOURFIREPLACE
Althoughthehandleiscold,itisbesttouseglovestoopenthedoorfortheshelfwhichisrightabove
becomesveryhot.



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FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual17
4.1 Theuseofafirescreen
Thisfireplacehasbeentestedforusewithanopendoorinconjunctionwithafirescreen(AC01364,sold
separately).Makesurethefirescreenisproperlysecuredonthefireplacetoavoidanyriskofsparks
damagingyourflooring.Whenthefirescreenisinuse,donotleavethefireplaceunattendedsothatyou
canrespondpromptlyintheeventofsmokespillageintotheroom.Potentialcausesofsmokespillageare
describedinSection8:TheVentingSystemofthismanual.
OPERATINGWITHTHEFIRESCREENINCREASESTHEPOSSIBILITYOFGENERATINGCARBONMONOXIDE.
CARBONMONOXIDEISANODOURLESSGASTHATISHIGHLYTOXICANDWHICHCANCAUSEDEATHAT
HIGHCONCENTRATIONINAIR.
4.2 YourFirstFires
Twothingswillhappenasyouburnyourfirstfewfires;thepaintcuresandtheinternalcomponentsofthe
fireplaceareconditioned.
Asthepaintcures,someofthechemicalsvaporize.Thevaporsarenotpoisonous,buttheydosmellbad.
Freshpaintfumescanalsocausefalsealarmsinsmokedetectors.So,whenyoufirstlightyourfireplace,be
preparedbyopeningdoorsand/orwindowstoventilatethehouse.Asyouburnhotterandhotterfires,
moreofthepaintedsurfacesreachthecuringtemperatureofthepaint.Thesmellofcuringpaintdoesnot
disappearuntilyouhaveburnedoneortwoveryhotfires.
Burnoneortwosmallfirestobeginthecuringandconditioningprocess.Thenbuildbiggerandhotterfires
untilthereisnolongeranypaintsmellfromthefireplace.Oncethepaintsmelldisappears,yourfireplaceis
readyforseriousheating.
4.3 LightingFires
Eachpersonwhoheatswithwooddevelopstheirownfavoritewaytolightfires.Whatevermethodyou
choose,yourgoalshouldbetogetahotfireburningquickly.Afirethatstartsfastproduceslesssmokeand
depositslesscreosoteinthechimney.Herearethreepopularandeffectivewaystostartwoodfires.

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18FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
4.3.1 ConventionalFireStarting
Theconventionalwaytobuildawoodfireisto
bunchup5to10sheetsofplainnewspaperand
placetheminthefirebox.Next,place10orso
piecesoffinekindlingonthenewspaper.This
kindlingshouldbeverythin;lessthan1”(25mm).
Next,placesomelargerkindlingpiecesonthefine
kindling.Opentheaircontrolfullyandlightthe
newspaper.Ifyouhaveatall,straightventing
systemyoushouldbeabletoclosethedoor
immediatelyandthefirewillignite.Oncethefire
hasignited,closethedoorandleavetheaircontrol
fullyopen.

Aconventionalkindlingfirewithpaper
underfinelysplitwood.
DONOTLEAVETHEFIREPLACEUNATTENDEDWHENTHEDOORISSLIGHTLYOPENED.ALWAYSCLOSEAND
LATCHTHEDOORAFTERTHEFIREIGNITES.
Afterthekindlingfirehasmostlyburned,youcanaddstandardfirewoodpiecesuntilyouhaveafireofthe
rightsizefortheconditions.
CAUTION:PLACETHEWOODLOGSFARENOUGHFROMTHEGLASSTOALLOWPROPERPRIMARYAIR
FLOW
4.3.2 TheTopDownFire
Thetopdownfirestartingmethodsolvestwoproblemswiththeconventionalmethod:first,itdoesnot
collapseandsmotheritselfasitburns;andsecond,itisnotnecessarytobuildupthefiregraduallybecause
thefireboxisloadedbeforethefireislit.Atopdownfirecanprovideuptotwohoursofheatingormore.
Thetopdownmethodonlyworksproperlyifthewoodiswell‐seasoned.
Startbyplacingthreeorfourfull‐sizedsplitpiecesofdryfirewoodinthefirebox.Next,place4or5more
finelysplitpiecesoffirewood(2”to3”[50mmto75mm]india.)onthebaselogsatrightangles(logcabin
style).Nowplaceabout10piecesoffinelysplitkindlingonthesecondlayeratrightangles.
Thefireistoppedwithabout5sheetsofnewspaper.Youcanjustbunchthemupandstuffthemin
betweenthekindlingandtheundersideofthebaffle.Oryoucanmakenewspaperknotsbyrollingupsingle
sheetscornertocornerandtyingaknotinthem.Theadvantageofknotsisthattheydon’trolloffthefire
astheyburn.Lightthenewspaperandwatchasthefireburnsfromtoptobottom.


FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual19
4.3.3 TwoParallelLogs
Placetwospitlogsinthefirebox.Placeafewsheetsoftwistednewspaperbetweenthelogs.Nowplace
somefinekindlingacrossthetwologsandsomelargerkindlingacrossthose,logcabinstyle.Lightthe
newspaper.
4.3.4 UsingFireStarters
Manypeopleliketousecommercialfirestartersinsteadofnewspaper.Someofthesestartersaremadeof
sawdustandwaxandothersarespecializedflammablesolidchemicals.Followthepackagedirectionsfor
use.
Gelstartermaybeusedbutonlyiftherearenohotemberspresent.Useonlyinacoldfireboxtostarta
fire.
DONOTUSEFLAMMABLELIQUIDSSUCHASGASOLINE,NAPHTHA,FUELOIL,MOTOROIL,ORAEROSOLS
TOSTARTORREKINDLETHEFIRE.
4.4 MaintainingWoodFires
4.4.1 GeneralAdvice
Woodheatingwithaspaceheaterisverydifferentthanotherformsofheating.Therewillbevariationsin
thetemperatureindifferentpartsofthehouseandtherewillbevariationsintemperaturethroughoutthe
dayandnight.Thisisnormal,andforexperiencedwoodburnerstheseareadvantagesofzoneheatingwith
wood.
Donotexpectsteadyheatoutputfromyourfireplace.Itisnormalforitssurfacetemperaturetoriseaftera
newloadofwoodisignitedandforitstemperaturetograduallydeclineasthefireprogresses.Thisrising
andfallingoftemperaturecanbematchedtoyourhouseholdroutines.Forexample,theareatemperature
canbecoolerwhenyouareactive,suchaswhendoinghouseworkorcooking,anditcanbewarmerwhen
youareinactive,suchaswhenreadingorwatchingtelevision.
Woodburnsbestincycles.Acyclestartswhenanewloadofwoodisignitedbyhotcoalsandendswhen
thatloadhasbeenconsumeddowntoabedofcharcoalaboutthesamesizeasitwaswhenthewoodwas
loaded.Donotattempttoproduceasteadyheatoutputbyplacingasinglelogonthefireatregular
intervals.Alwaysplaceatleastthree,andpreferablymore,piecesonthefireatatimesothattheheat
radiatedfromonepiecehelpstoignitethepiecesnexttoit.Eachloadofwoodshouldprovideseveral
hoursofheating.Thesizeofeachloadcanbematchedtotheamountofheatneeded.
Whenyouburnincycles,yourarelyneedtoopenthefireplace’sloadingdoorwhilethewoodisflaming.
Thisisanadvantagebecausethereismorechancethatsmokewillleakfromthefireplacewhenthedooris
openedasafullfireisburning.
IFYOUMUSTOPENTHEDOORWHILETHEFUELISFLAMING,OPENTHEAIRCONTROLFULLYFORAFEW
MINUTES,THENUNLATCHANDOPENTHEDOORSLOWLY.
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20FP12Mundo‐InstallationandOperationManual
4.4.2 AshRemoval
Ashshouldberemovedfromthefireboxeverytwoorthreedaysoffulltimeheating.Donotlettheash
buildupinthefireboxbecauseitwillinterferewithproperfiremanagement.
Thebesttimetoremoveashisafteranovernightfirewhenthefireplaceisrelativelycool,butthereisstill
somechimneydrafttodrawtheashdustintothefireplaceandpreventitfromcomingintotheroom.
Afterasheshavebeenremovedfromthefireplaceandplacedinatightlycoveredmetalcontainer,they
shouldbetakenoutsideimmediately.Theclosedcontainerofashesshouldbeplacedonanon‐combustible
floororonthegroundwellawayfromallcombustiblematerialspendingfinaldisposal.Ashesnormally
containsomelivecharcoalthatcanstayhotforseveraldays.Iftheashesaredisposedofbyburialinsoilor
otherwiselocallydispersed,theyshouldberetainedintheclosedcontaineruntilallcindershave
thoroughlycooled.Otherwasteshouldnotbeplacedinthiscontainer.
NEVERSTOREASHESINDOORSORINANON‐METALICCONTAINERORONAWOODENDECK.
4.4.3 RakingCharcoal
Rekindlethefirewhenyounoticethattheroomtemperaturehasfallen.Youwillfindmostoftheremaining
charcoalatthebackofthefirebox,furthestfromthedoor.Rakethesecoalstowardsthedoorbefore
loading.Therearetworeasonsforthisrakingofthecoals.First,itconcentratesthemnearwheremostof
thecombustionairentersthefireboxandwheretheycanignitethenewloadquickly,andsecond,the
charcoalwillnotbesmotheredbythenewloadofwood.Ifyouweretosimplyspreadthecharcoalout,the
newloadwillsmoulderforalongtimebeforeigniting.
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Removeashfirst,andthenrakecharcoaltowardsthefrontofthefireboxbeforeloadingsothatitwillignite
thenewload.