Valor 953 Instructions for use

5122724/08
© GDC Group Ltd. 2013
Model 953
INSET LIVE FUEL EFFECT GAS FIRE
INCORPORATING T E
VALOR FIRES CONTROL
Fitted with one of the following fascia.
Alpha, Decadent, Dream,
Elegant, Eternal, Masquerade,
Excelsior or Obsession
(GC No. 32-032-72)
INSTALLER: Please leave this guide with owner
We trust that this guide gives
sufficient details to enable this
appliance to be installed, operated
and maintained satisfactorily.
owever, if further information is
required, our
Valor Technical Helpline will be
pleased to help.
Telephone [phone] (National
call rates apply in the United
Kingdom).
In the Republic of Ireland
Telephone [phone].
I STALLER A D OW ER GUIDE

© GDC Group Ltd. 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form
(including photocopying), stored in any medium by electronic means (including in any
retrieval system or database) or transmitted, in any form or by any means, whether
electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
the copyright owner.
Applications for the copyright owner's permission to reproduce any part of this
publication should be made, giving details of the proposed use, to the following
address: The Marketing Communications Manager, GDC Group Ltd, Millbrook ouse,
Grange Drive, edge End, Southampton, S030 2DF.
Warning: Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work
may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
Valor Fires, GDC Group Ltd, Millbrook ouse, Grange Drive, edge End,
Southampton, S030 2DF.
www.valor.co.uk
Because our policy is one of constant development and improvement, details may vary
slightly from those given in this publication
Page 2
© GDC Group Ltd. 2013
THIS APPLIA CE IS FOR USE WITH ATURAL GAS (G20).
WHE CO VERTED USI G CO VERSIO KIT O. 0595221 THIS
APPLIA CE IS FOR USE WITH PROPA E GAS (G31).
THIS APPLIA CE IS SUITABLE O LY FOR I STALLATIO I THE U ITED
KI GDOM (GB) A D THE REPUBLIC OF IRELA D (IE).

Safety First.
Valor Fires fires are CE Approved and designed to meet the appropriate British
Standards and Safety Marks.
Quality and Excellence.
All Valor Fires fires are manufactured to the highest standards of quality and
excellence and are manufactured under a BS EN ISO 9001 quality system accepted
by the British Standards Institute.
The Highest Standards
Valor Fires is a member of SBGI and IC ( eating and ot water Industry Council)
that work to ensure high standards of safety, quality and performance.
Careful Installation
This gas fires must be installed by a competent GAS SAFE REGISTER engineer
(GAS SAFE REGISTER or CORGI engineer outside of UK) in accordance with our
installer guide and should not be fitted directly on to a carpet or floor of combustible
material.
Page 3
© GDC Group Ltd. 2013

Page 4
© GDC Group Ltd. 2013
INSTALLER GUIDE
FOR OWNER GUIDE SEE PAGES 42 TO 55
INSTALLER GUIDE

CO TE TS
Section Heading Page
I STALLER GUIDE 4 - 41
OW ER GUIDE 42 - 55
1. SAFETY A D U PACKI G 7
2. APPLIA CE DATA A D EFFICIE CY 8
3. GE ERAL I STALLATIO REQUIREME TS 9
3.1 Regulations, Standards and Law. 9
3.2 Ventilation requirements. 10
3.3 The Atmosphere sensing device (ASD). 10
3.4 Fireguard requirements. 10
3.5 Room considerations. 10
3.6 Chimney preparation. 10
3.7 Fireplace preparation. 11
3.8 The hearth. 11
3.9 Fireplace clearances. 12
3.10 Installation options. 14
3.10.1 Conventional fireplace and hearth. 14
3.10.1.1 ‘ ole-in-the-wall’ Installations. 14
3.10.2 Metal flue box and hearth. 15
3.10.3 Precast concrete or clay flue block system and hearth. 16
3.11 Flues. 17
3.12 Propane gas fires. 17
4. PACK CO TE TS 18
5. FIREPLACE CHECK 21
5.1 Soundness for appliance attachment. 21
5.2 Fireplace flue pull. 21
6. IG ITIO CHECK 22
7. GAS SUPPLY CO ECTIO 22
8. PREPARI G APPLIA CE FOR I STALLATIO 23
8.1 Appliance preparation. 23
8.2 Fitting the foam seal. 23
8.3 The flue restrictor. 24
9. CO VECTIO BOX I STALLATIO 24
9.1 Method 1- Front fixing to fireplace surround. 24
9.2 Method 2 - Cable retention. 25
9.3 Floor sealing. 26
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INSTALLER GUIDE
Continued on next page

CO TE TS (Continued)
Section Heading Page
10. BUR ER I STALLATIO 27
10.1 Burner and supply pipe installation. 27
10.2 Preliminary burner checks. 27
10.2.1 Lighting the burner. 27
10.2.2 Operating the burner. 27
10.3 Inlet pressure check. 28
10.4 Fitting the burner tray trim. 28
11. FITTI G THE FASCIA 28
12. FITTI G THE CERAMIC FUEL EFFECT 29
13. FIREFRO T CASTI G I STALLATIO 30
13.1 Fitting the Alpha, Eternal, Elegant and Obsession firefront casting. 30
13.2 Fitting the Dream, Masquerade and Excelsior firefront casting. 30
13.3 Fitting the Decadent firefront casting. 30
14. FULL OPERATI G CHECKS 31
14.1 Recheck the control settings. 31
14.2 Lighting the burner. 31
14.3 Operating the burner. 31
15. SPILLAGE A D FLAME SUPERVISIO CHECKS 32
15.1 Check for spillage. 32
15.2 Flame supervision and spillage monitoring system. 32
16. FI AL REVIEW 34
17. SERVICI G & PARTS REPLACEME T 35
17.1 Checking the aeration setting of the burner. 36
17.2 To remove the ignition microswitch. 36
17.3 To remove the gas shut-off microswitch. 36
17.4 To remove the fascia. 37
17.5 To replace the control slide button. 37
17.6 To remove the burner unit. 38
17.7 To remove the electronic ignition generator. 38
17.8 To remove the thermocouple interrupter block. 38
17.9 To remove the pilot unit. 39
17.10 To remove the shut-off tap. 39
17.11 To remove the gas flow rate controller. 40
17.12 To replace the burner. 40
17.13 To remove the main burner injector. 41
17.14 To remove the appliance from the fireplace. 41
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© GDC Group Ltd. 2013
INSTALLER GUIDE

1. SAFETY A D U PACKI G
Installer
Before continuing any further with the installation of this appliance please read the
following guide to manual handling.
-The approximate lifting weight (kg) of this appliance is as below:
Model eat Engine Firefront Combined Weight
Alpha 7.9 2.10 10.00
Dream 7.9 13.35 21.25
Masquerade 7.9 13.35 21.25
Excelsior 7.9 13.35 21.25
Elegant 7.9 2.10 10.00
Eternal 7.9 3.45 11.35
Decadent 7.9 4.00 11.90
Obsession 7.9 3.25 11.15
-One person should be sufficient to lift the fire. If for any reason this weight is
considered too heavy then obtain assistance.
-When lifting always keep your back straight. Bend your legs and not your back.
-Avoid twisting at the waist. It is better to reposition your feet.
-Avoid upper body/top heavy bending. Do not lean forward or sideways whilst
handling the fire.
-Always grip with the palm of the hand. Do not use the tips of fingers for support.
-Always keep the fire as close to the body as possible. This will minimise the
cantilever action.
-Use gloves to provide additional grip.
-Always use assistance if required.
This product uses fuel effect pieces and burner compartment walls containing Refractory
Ceramic Fibres (RCF), which are man-made vitreous silicate fibres. Excessive exposure
to these materials may cause irritation to eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Consequently,
it is important to take care when handling these articles to ensure that the release of
dust is kept to a minimum. To ensure that the release of fibres from these RCF articles is
kept to a minimum, during installation and servicing we recommend that you use a HEPA
filtered vacuum to remove any dust and soot accumulated in and around the fire before
and after working on the fire. When replacing these articles we recommend that the
replaced items are not broken up, but are sealed within a heavy duty polythene bag,
clearly labelled as RCF waste. RCF waste is classed as a stable, non-reactive hazardous
waste and may be disposed at a landfill licensed to accept such waste. Protective
clothing is not required when handling these articles, but we recommend you follow the
normal hygiene rules of not smoking, eating or drinking in the work area and always
wash your hands before eating or drinking. This appliance does not contain any
component manufactured from asbestos or asbestos related products.
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INSTALLER GUIDE

2. APPLIA CE DATA A D EFFICIE CY
2.1 General information.
*When converted using kit 0595221.
The appliance information label is located on a plate at the base of the fire. This can
be seen by removing the bottom front cover of the fascia.
2.2 Efficiency.
The efficiency of this appliance has been measured as specified in BS 7977 - 1 and
the result is as below:
Model Efficiency % (Gross)
953 55
953 when converted to LPG. 58
The gross calorific value of the fuel has been used for this efficiency calculation. The
test data from which it has been calculated has been certified by Advantica
Certification services (0087). The efficiency value may be used in the UK
Government's Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for energy rating of dwellings.
The conversion of net efficiency to gross was achieved by multiplying the net
efficiency by the following conversion factor from Table E3 of SAP 2005, rounding
down to the nearest whole number.
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INSTALLER GUIDE
Gas atural (G20) Propane (G31) *
Inlet Pressure 20mbar 37mbar
Input - Max. (Gross) 6.0kW (20,500Btu/h) 6.1kW (20,800Btu/h)
Input - Min. (Gross) 2.7kW (9,212Btu/h) 4.3kW (14,670Btu/h)
Inlet Test Pressure (Cold) 20.0 ± 1.0mbar
(8.0 ± 0.4in w.g.)
37.0 ± 1.0 mbar
(14.85 ± 0.4in w.g.)
Gas Connection 8mm pipe 8mm pipe
Burner Injector Cat 82 - 069 Size 128
Pilot & Atmosphere Sensing
Device
Copreci Ref. O.D.S
21500/166
Copreci Ref. O.D.S
21500/166 Fitted with RBM
180 - 02 injector
Ignition Electronic
(Battery 9V PP3)
Electronic
(Battery 9V PP3)
Aeration Factory set Non-adjustable

3. GE ERAL I STALLATIO REQUIREME TS
3.1 Regulations, Standards and Law.
The installation must be in accordance with these instructions.
For the user’s protection, in the United Kingdom it is the law that all gas appliances
are installed by competent persons in accordance with the current edition of the Gas
Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations. Failure to install the appliance correctly
could lead to prosecution. GAS SAFE REGISTER and CORGI require their members
to work to recognised standards.
In the United Kingdom the installation must also be in accordance with:
All the relevant parts of local regulations.
All relevant codes of practice.
The relevant parts of the current editions of the following British Standards:-
BS EN 1856 Part 1 - Chimneys - Requirements for metal chimneys.
BS 715 - Specification for metal flue boxes for gas-fired appliances not
exceeding 20kW.
BS EN 1858 - Chimneys - Components - Concrete flue blocks.
BS EN 1806 - Chimneys - Clay / ceramic flue blocks.
BS EN 1856 Part 1 - Chimneys - Requirements for metal chimneys.
BS 5440 Part 1 - Installation of flues.
BS 5440 Part 2 - Installation and maintenance of flues and ventilation for gas
appliances of rated input not exceeding 70 kW net (1st, 2nd
and 3rd family gases).
BS 6461 Part 1 - Masonry chimney & flues - Installation
BS 1251 - Fireplace components
BS 5871 Part 2 - Installation - Inset LFE gas fires
BS 6891 - Gas pipework installation
-In England and Wales, the current edition of the Building Regulations issued by the
Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office.
-In Scotland, the current edition of the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations
issued by the Scottish Executive.
-In Northern Ireland, the current edition of the Building regulations (Northern Ireland)
issued by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.
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INSTALLER GUIDE
Gas Conversion factor from net to gross efficiency
Natural Gas 0.901
LPG 0.921

3.2 Ventilation requirements.
Normal adventitious ventilation is usually sufficient to satisfy the ventilation
requirements of this appliance. In GB reference should be made to BS 5871 Part 2
and in IE reference should be made to the current edition of IS 813 “Domestic Gas
Installations” which makes clear the conditions that must be met to demonstrate that
sufficient ventilation is available.
3.3 The Atmosphere sensing device (ASD).
The appliance is fitted with an A.S.D (Atmosphere sensing device). If the appliance
closes down after a period of operation for no apparent reason, the consumer should
be informed to stop using the appliance until the installation and appliance have been
thoroughly checked. The A.S.D will shut the appliance down if an unacceptable
amount of harmful products of combustion accumulate. Under no circumstances
should the A.S.D be altered or bypassed in any way. Only a genuine manufacturer’s
replacement part should be fitted. The individual A.S.D components are not
replaceable.
3.4 Fireguard requirements.
A fireguard complying with BS 8423 should be fitted for the protection of young
children, the elderly, the infirm and pet animals.
3.5 Room considerations.
3.5.1 This appliance must not be installed in any room that contains a bath or shower
or where steam is regularly present.
3.5.2 An extractor fan may only be used in the same room as this appliance, or in any
area from which ventilation for the appliance is taken, if it does not affect the safe
performance of the appliance. Note the spillage test requirements detailed further on
in this manual. If the fan is likely to affect the appliance, the appliance must not be
installed unless the fan is permanently disconnected.
3.5.3 Note that soft wall coverings (e.g. embossed vinyl, etc.) are easily affected by
heat. They may scorch or become discoloured when close to a heating appliance.
Please bear this in mind when installing.
3.6 Chimney preparation.
3.6.1 If the appliance is intended to be installed to a chimney that was previously
used for solid fuel, the flue must be swept clean prior to installation. All flues should
be inspected for soundness and freedom from blockages.
3.6.2 Any chimney damper or restrictor should be removed. If removal is not possible,
they must be secured in the open position.
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INSTALLER GUIDE

3.7 Fireplace preparation.
3.7.1 If the fireplace opening is an underfloor draught type, it must be sealed to stop
any draughts.
3.7.2 The fireplace floor should be reasonably flat to ensure that the convection box
can be installed without it rocking and so that a good seal can be made at the bottom
front of the box.
3.7.3 The front face of the fireplace should be reasonably flat over the area covered
by the convection box top and side flange seals to ensure good sealing. These faces
should be made good if necessary.
3.7.4 If the appliance is to be fitted against a
wall with combustible cladding, the cladding
must be removed from the area covered by
the fascia. The cladding must also not touch
the fascia (See figure 1). We suggest that the
actual fascia is used as a template to mark
the area for combustible cladding removal
and that this area is increased by at least
2mm all round.
3.7.5 If the fireplace opening is greater than
the acceptable dimensions given in this
guide, do not use the back of a fire surround
or marble to reduce the opening. This may
cause cracking of the surround back or
marble.
3.8 The hearth.
The appliance must be mounted behind a non-combustible hearth unless the
conditions of section 3.10.1.1 are met (N.B. conglomerate marble hearths are
considered as non-combustible). The appliance can be fitted to a purpose made
proprietary class “O”-150°C surround. The hearth material must be at least 12mm
thick. The periphery of the hearth (or fender) should be at least 50mm above floor
level to discourage the placing of carpets or rugs over it.
The appliance must not stand on combustible materials or carpets.
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INSTALLER GUIDE
Figure 1. Removal of combustible
cladding (Shown with Alpha / Elegant
fascia)

3.9 Fireplace clearances.
3.9.1 The minimum height from the base of the fireplace opening to the underside of
any shelf made from wood or other combustible materials is detailed below.
• Fo a shelf up to 150mm deep: Minimum height = 750mm.
• Fo a shelf deepe than 150mm: 750mm + 12.5mm for every 25mm depth over
150mm (See figure 2).
3.9.2 The minimum allowable distance from the outside of the fascia to a corner wall
having combustible material or any other combustible surface which projects beyond
the front of the appliance is shown in figure 3. For access purposes the
recommended clearances to non combustible surfaces are shown in figure 3.
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© GDC Group Ltd. 2013
Figure 2. Combustible shelf clearances
INSTALLER GUIDE

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INSTALLER GUIDE
Figure 3. Appliance dimensions (Fascia may differ from that shown and is subject to
manufacturing tolerances).
Dimension Alpha Elegant Dream/Masq./Excel. Eternal Decadent Obsession
A 492mm 492mm 518mm 514mm 529mm 530mm
B 598mm 598mm 636mm 611mm 630mm 621mm
C 84mm 84mm 94mm 76mm 120mm 96mm

3.10 Installation options.
In the United Kingdom, as supplied, the appliance can be installed in the following
situations: -
3.10.1 Conventional fireplace and hearth.
To a fireplace
complete with hearth
as shown in figure 4.
Chair brick removal
may not be required
providing at least
50mm clearance is
available from the
flue outlet to any
fireplace component.
3.10.1.1 ‘Hole-in-the-wall’ Installations.
-It is recommended that a hearth should be installed as in section 3.8 (See figure 4).
-If a reduced depth hearth is fitted, the fire must be installed so that the distance
from the base of the fireplace opening in the wall to the finished floor level is at least
72mm. Where there is no floor covering or carpet and the floor is of a type that is
likely to be covered in such a way then the distance from the base of the fireplace
opening in the wall to the finished floor level should be increased to at least 147mm.
If the lower part of the fascia (the firefront) is free standing, the recommended
reduced hearth depth is 100mm. This is necessary to support the firefront (See figure
3 for appliance dimensions).
- To protect from the risk of burns and ignition of clothing a tactile separator shall be
used. The hearth detailed in section 3.8 meets the requirements for a tactile
separator. If this is not used then a 625mm long fender, kerb, horizontal bar, or other
barrier, being fixed not less than 50mm above floor level and positioned 300mm in
front of the fixing plane of the fire will meet the requirement.
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INSTALLER GUIDE
Figure 4. earth and fireplace opening dimensions

3.10.2 Metal flue box and hearth.
The appliance can be installed to a fireplace
incorporating a metal flue box complying
with the constructional requirements of the
current edition of BS 715 and with a flue
conforming to BS EN 1856 part 1. The
dimensions of the flue box must conform to
those shown in figure 5.
The top surface of the metal flue box must
be covered with a 50mm layer of mineral
wool or equivalent insulation (See figure 5).
Important ote: Where the flue box has a
base sheet that is single wall (i.e. a single
metal sheet) the flue box must be mounted
on a non-combustible hearth. The hearth
material must be at least 12mm thick.
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INSTALLER GUIDE
Figure 5. Metal flue box

3.10.3 Precast concrete or clay flue block system and hearth.
The appliance can be installed to a precast concrete or clay flue block system
conforming to BS1289 or BS EN 1858 with dimensions as in figure 6.
BS 1289 part 1 recommends there should be an air space or insulation between the
flue blocks and the plaster because heat transfer may cause cracking on directly
plastered flues. owever, generally this appliance is suitable for installations under all
circumstances unless there is a history of cracking problems. Remember that faults
such as cracking may be caused by poorly built and restrictive flues, e.g. mortar
extrusions, too many bends, flue heights below three metres, restrictive terminations
etc.
The appliance is suitable for installations conforming to older versions of BS1289 as
well as the current edition. The flue blocks must have a minimum width not less than
63mm and a cross-sectional area not less than 13,000mm2. Older editions of BS1289
required a cross-sectional area of 13,000mm2. The current revision of the standard
requires 16,500mm2. This appliance is suitable in both cases. The total depth of the
opening measured from the finished front of the fireplace (Including plaster, surround
etc.) must be as below:
-If the width at the rear of the
precast flue starter blocks is 300mm
or greater the depth of the opening
is to be not less than 138mm. Under
these conditions the eyebolts will
need to be located as close to the
sides of the starter blocks as
possible.
-If the width at the rear of the
precast flue starter blocks is less
than 300mm then an additional
16mm of depth will be required to
accommodate the eye bolts.
Therefore if the starter blocks are
less than 300mm wide the minimum
depth of the opening will be not less
than 154mm.
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INSTALLER GUIDE
Figure 6. Pre-cast Fireplace

3.11 Flues.
1. Suitable flues and minimum flue sizes are as follows:
It should be noted that, as with many appliances, sha p bends o ho izontal uns in
metal flues at the top of the system can be a cause of p oblems in these types of
installation.
-225mm x 225mm conventional brick flue.
-Single wall, twin wall or flexible flue liner with a minimum diameter of 125mm. The
materials to be used are stainless steel or aluminium as specified in
BS EN 1856 Part 1. The liner must be sealed to the surrounding area above the
fireplace opening and to the top of the chimney. An approved terminal must be fitted.
-175mm diameter lined brick or stone flue.
-200mm diameter factory made insulated flue manufactured to BS4543 Part 2.
-175mm diameter flue pipe. See BS6461 Part 1 for suitable materials.
-A properly constructed precast concrete or clay flue system conforming to BS1289
or BS EN 1858. This system is only suitable if the conditions stated in section 3.10.3
are met.
2. The flue must conform to BS 5440: Part 1 in design and installation.
The flue, measured from the bottom of the fireplace opening to the bottom of the
terminal, shall be not less than 3m in actual vertical height. When calculated in
accordance with BS 5440: Part 1 Annex A, the minimum equivalent height of the flue
shall be 2.0m of 125mm dia. flue pipe.
3. The flue must not be used for any other appliance or application.
4. Proprietary terminals must comply with BS 715 or BS 1289. Any terminal or
termination must be positioned in accordance with BS 5440 Part 1 to ensure that the
products of combustion can be safely dispersed into the outside atmosphere. Where
the appliance is connected to an unlined brick chimney it is generally unnecessary for
the chimney pot to be replaced or for a terminal to be fitted unless the flue has a
diameter smaller than 170mm.
5. The flue must be completely sealed so that combustion products do not come into
contact with combustible materials outside the chimney.
3.12 Propane gas fires.
Propane gas appliances must not be installed in a room, which is built entirely below
ground level (See BS 5871 Pt2).
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4. PACK CO TE TS
The items required for this appliance are packed in sections.
Section 1 - Fire unit contains:
1 Convection box and burner assembly
1 Loose parts pack including: -
1 Grommet for rear of convection box
1 Strip of floor sealing tape
1 Flue restrictor
4 Fibre plugs
4 Woodscrews
2 Fire retaining cables
2 Cable adjusters
2 Eyebolts
1 Length of self-adhesive foam seal
1 Inlet “T” connector including pressure test point, nut and olive for 8mm inlet pipe.
1 Burner tray trim.
1 Control position label for Dream and Eternal.
1 Battery
1 Ceramic fuel effect pack (Not shown)
2 No.8 x 3/8 screws (Black) for securing the flue restrictor.
2 No.8 x 3/8 screws (Black) for securing the fascia.
4 No.8 x 3/8 screws (Black) for securing the Dream hood.
3 No.8 x 3/8 screws (Black) for securing the Obsession outlet baffle.
1 Knurled screw for slider linkage.
2 M5 x 10 countersunk screws for securing the slider control to the Dream fascia.
4 M4 x 10 screws for securing the infill trims to the Dream fascia.
Section 2 - Fire front contains
1 Firefront casting
1 Front cover casting.
1 Fascia
1 Set of infill trims (Dream, Masquerade and Excelsior models)
1 Slider control (Dream, Masquerade and Excelsior models)
1 ood (Dream, Masquerade and Excelsior models)
Remove all the items carefully to prevent damage. Take special care when handling
the ceramic components. Some items may be contained in the packaging fitments -
Examine the packaging carefully before discarding. Check that all the items are
present and undamaged.
INSTALLER GUIDE

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Figure 7. Pack contents
Figure 7. Pack contents continued (Firefront shown here may vary as per model)
Dream, Masquerade and Excelsior

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INSTALLER GUIDE
Figure 7. Pack contents continued