Valcourt FP14 Cartier User manual

45355A
Printed in Canada 09-10-2014
READ AND KEEP THIS MANUAL FOR REFERENCE
FP14Cartier
InstallationAndOperationManual
USENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCY
PHASEIICERTIFIEDWOODFIREPLACE

ListedtostandardsULC‐S610andUL127
byIntertekTestingServices
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

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.


2 FP14 Cartier - 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.



FP14 Cartier - 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FP14 Cartier 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 ......................................................... 12
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 .................................................................................................... 16
4.2Your First Fires ................................................................................................................. 16
4.3Lighting Fires .................................................................................................................... 17
4.3.1Conventional Fire Starting ............................................................................................. 17
4.3.2The Top Down Fire........................................................................................................ 18
4.3.3Two Parallel Logs .......................................................................................................... 18
4.3.4Using Fire Starters......................................................................................................... 18
4.4Maintaining Wood Fires .................................................................................................... 18
4.4.1General Advice .............................................................................................................. 18
4.4.2Ash Removal ................................................................................................................. 19
4.4.3Raking Charcoal ............................................................................................................ 19
4.4.4Firing Each New Load Hot............................................................................................. 20
4.4.5Turning Down the Air Supply ......................................................................................... 20
4.4.6Building Different Fires for Different Needs ................................................................... 21


4 FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual
5Maintaining Your Wood Heating System........................................ 23
5.1Fireplace Maintenance...................................................................................................... 23
5.1.1Plated Finish Maintenance ............................................................................................ 23
5.1.2Glass Door Cleaning...................................................................................................... 23
5.1.3Door Adjustment............................................................................................................ 24
5.1.4Door Alignment.............................................................................................................. 25
5.1.5Replacing the Door Gasket............................................................................................ 27
5.1.6Cleaning and Painting the Fireplace.............................................................................. 29
5.2Chimney and Chimney Liner Maintenance ....................................................................... 29
5.2.1Why Chimney Cleaning is Necessary............................................................................ 29
5.2.2How Often Should You Clean the Chimney?................................................................. 29
5.2.3Cleaning the Chimney ................................................................................................... 30
5.2.4Fire Baffle Removal Prior to Cleaning the Chimney ...................................................... 31
5.2.5Chimney Fire ................................................................................................................. 31
PART B – INSTALLATION.....................................................................32
6Safety Information............................................................................ 32
6.1Summary of Installation Cautions and Warnings .............................................................. 32
6.2Regulations Covering Fireplace Installation...................................................................... 33
6.3Fireplace Installation ......................................................................................................... 33
6.3.1Locating the FP14 CARTIER......................................................................................... 33
6.3.2Minimum Heart Extension Requirements ...................................................................... 39
6.3.3Framing, Facing, Mantel, and Combustible Shelf .......................................................... 41
7Clearances to Combustible Material............................................... 49
7.1Locating the Certification Label......................................................................................... 49
8The Venting System .........................................................................50
8.1General ............................................................................................................................. 50
8.2Suitable Chimneys ............................................................................................................ 50
8.3Minimum Chimney Height................................................................................................. 50
8.4The Relationship Between the Chimney and the House................................................... 50
8.4.1Why the chimney should penetrate the highest heated space....................................... 50
8.5Chimney Installation Notes ............................................................................................... 51
8.6Chimney Installation Instructions ...................................................................................... 54
8.6.1Examples of Typical Chimney Installation ..................................................................... 54
8.6.2Offset Chimney Installation............................................................................................ 59
8.7Angled Wall Radiation Shield............................................................................................ 63
8.8Chimney Support Installation ............................................................................................ 63
8.8.1Universal Roof Support.................................................................................................. 63


FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual 5
8.8.2Universal Offset Support................................................................................................ 64
8.9Installation Instructions for Masonry Application ............................................................... 64
8.10Supply of Combustion Air ................................................................................................. 65
8.10.1Air Supply in Conventional Houses ............................................................................... 65
Appendix 1: Optional Hot Air Ducting Installation .............................67
Appendix 2: Blower Maintenance or Replacement ............................78
Appendix 3: Installing the Door Overlay Option.................................81
Appendix 4: Installing the Adapter for Fresh Air Kit Option .............82
Appendix 5: Installing the Optional Fire Screen (VA8420) ................86
Appendix 6: Installation of Secondary Air Tubes and Baffle ............87
Appendix 7: Exploded Diagram and Parts List................................... 91
VALCOURT LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY......................................96

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.



6 FP14 Cartier - 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(VA8420,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.



FP14 Cartier - 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7:EXPLODED
DIAGRAMANDPARTSLISTFORREPLACEMENTPARTS).
•SOMEJURISDICTIONSINTHEUSAREQUIREASUPPLYOFOUTDOORCOMBUSTIONAIRFORTHE
FIREPLACE.INCANADA,ANOUTDOORAIRSUPPLYISNOTREQUIREDIFACARBONMONOXIDE(CO)
DETECTOR/ALARMISLOCATEDINTHEROOMINWHICHTHEFIREPLACEISINSTALLED.THECO
DETECTORWILLPROVIDESWARNINGIFFORANYREASONTHEWOODFIREPLACEFAILSTOFUNCTION
CORRECTLY.IFYOUAREREQUIREDTOINSTALLANOUTDOORAIRSUPPLY,WERECOMMENDTHAT
YOUALSOINSTALLACODETECTOR/ALARMTOPROVIDEWARNINGIFSMOKESPILLAGEFROMTHE
FIREPLACEOCCURS.

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.



8 FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual
2GENERALINFORMATION
2.1 FP14Cartier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*1900sq.ft.(176.5m2)
Maximumheatoutput**
(EPAtestfuel)36,875BTU/h(11kW/h)
Maximumheatoutput**
(naturalhardwoodfuel)65,000BTU/h(19kW/h)
Optimumefficiency75%
ParticulateEmissions3.96g/h
ApproximateBurnTime*5to7hours
ShippingWeight421lb(191kg)
FireboxVolume2cu.ft.(0.057m3)
MaximumLogLength16"east‐west***
FlueOutletDiameter6"(150mm)diameter(vertical)
BaffleMaterialStainlesssteelwithcement
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.


FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual 9






10 FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual


 


FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual 11



2.2 ZoneHeatingandHowtoMakeitWorkforYou
YournewFP14Cartier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


12 FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual
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FP14Cartier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.
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baffleismadeofstainlesssteelandcement.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.


FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual 13
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.

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.


14 FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual
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.
3.2.3 LogLength
Logsshouldbecutatleast1”(25mm)shorterthanthefireboxsotheyfitineasily.Itisverydifficulttoload
thefirewithlogsthatarejustalittletoolong.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.

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.
 


FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual 15
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.
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,


16 FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual
•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.

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
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(VA8420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.SeeAppendix5:InstallingtheFireScreen
(AC01308)forinstallationinstructions.
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.


FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual 17
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.
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


18 FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual
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.
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


FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual 19
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.
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.

Removeashfirst,andthenrakecharcoaltowardsthefrontofthefireboxbeforeloadingsothatitwillignite
thenewload.


20 FP14 Cartier - Installation and Operation Manual
4.4.4 FiringEachNewLoadHot
Placethenewloadofwoodonandbehindthecharcoal,andnottooclosetotheglass.Closethedoorand
opentheaircontrolfully.Leavetheaircontrolfullyopenuntilthefireboxisfullofflames,thewoodhas
charredtoblackanditsedgesareglowingred.Firingeachloadofwoodhotaccomplishesafewthings:
•drivesthesurfacemoisturefromthewood,
•createsalayerofcharonthewood,whichslowsdownitsreleaseofsmoke,
•heatsthefireboxcomponentssotheyreflectheatbacktothefire,and
•heatsthechimneysoitcanproducestrong,steadydraftfortherestofthecycle.
Althoughitisimportanttofireeachnewloadhottoprepareforacleanburn,donotallowthefiretoburn
atfullintensityformorethanafewminutes.
DONOTLEAVETHEFIREPLACEUNATTENDEDWHILEANEWLOADISBEINGFIREDHOT.
DONOTOVERFIRE.
Whenyouburnanewloadofwoodhottoheatupthewood,thefireplaceandthechimney,theresultwill
beasurgeofheatfromthefireplace.Thisheatsurgeiswelcomewhentheroomtemperatureisalittle
lowerthandesirable,butnotwelcomeifthespaceisalreadywarm.Therefore,alloweachloadofwoodto
burndownsothatthespacebeginstocooloffalittlebeforeloading.Lettingthespacecoolbeforeloading
isoneofthesecretstocleanburningandeffectivezoneheating.
4.4.5 TurningDowntheAirSupply
Oncethefirewood,fireboxandchimneyarehot,
youcanbegintoreducetheairsupplyforasteady
burn.
Asyoureducetheairsupplytothefire,two
importantthingshappen.First,thefiringrateslows
downtospreadtheheatenergyinthefuelovera
longerperiodoftime.Second,theflowrateof
exhaustthroughthefireplaceandfluepipeslows
down,whichgivesmoretimeforthetransferof
heatfromtheexhaust.Youwillnoticethatasyou
reducetheairsetting,theflamesslowdown.Thisis
yourindicationthatthefireplaceisburningatits
peakefficiency.
Iftheflamesgetsmallandalmostdisappearwhen
youturndowntheair,youhaveturneddownthe
airtooearly,oryourfirewoodiswetterthanit
shouldbe.Withgoodfuelandcorrectaircontrol
use,theflamesshouldslowdown,butshouldstay
largeandsteady,evenastheairsupplyisreduced.