Valor 956 Instructions for use

5118756/06
© GDC Group Ltd. 2014
We trust that this guide gives
sufficient details to enable this
appliance to be installed, operated
and maintained satisfactorily.
However, if further information is
required, our
Valor Fires Technical Helpline will
be pleased to help.
Telephone [phone] (National
call rates apply in the United
Kingdom).
n the Republic of reland
Telephone [phone].
NSTALLER: Please leave this guide with the owner
INSTALLER AND OWNER GUIDE
Model 956
NSET L VE FUEL EFFECT GAS F RE
Fitted with one of the following fascia.
Blenheim,Whitsbury
Seattle or Siva fascia.

GDC Group Limited.
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 Company Secretary, GDC Group Ltd., Millbrook House, Hedge End,
Southampton, SO30 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 House, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 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.
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© GDC Group Ltd 2014
THIS APPLIANCE IS FOR USE WITH NATURAL GAS (G20).
WHEN CONVERTED USING CONVERSION KIT NO. 0595221 THIS APPLIANCE
IS FOR USE WITH PROPANE GAS (G31).
THIS APPLIANCE IS SUITABLE ONLY FOR INSTALLATION IN THE UNITED
KINGDO (GB) AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (IE).
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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 SO 9001 quality system accepted
by the British Standards nstitute.
The Highest Standards
Valor Fires is a member of SBG and HH C (Heating and Hot water ndustry Council)
that work to ensure high standards of safety, quality and performance.
Careful Installation
This gas fire must be installed by a competent GAS SAFE REG STER engineer (GAS
SAFE REG STER or CORG 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.
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FOR OWNER GU DE SEE PAGES 38 TO 51
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CONTENTS
Section Heading Page
INSTALLER GUIDE 4 - 37
OWNER GUIDE 38 - 51
1. I AGES 7
2. SAFETY 8
3. APPLIANCE DATA AND EFFICIENCY 9
3.1 General information. 9
3.2 Efficiency. 9
4. GENERAL INSTALLATION REQUIRE ENTS 10
4.1 Regulations, Standards and Law. 10
4.2 Ventilation requirements. 11
4.3 The Atmosphere sensing device (ASD). 11
4.4 Fireguard requirements. 11
4.5 Room considerations. 11
4.6 Chimney preparation. 12
4.7 Fireplace preparation. 12
4.8 The hearth. 12
4.9 Fireplace clearances. 13
4.10 nstallation options. 15
4.10.1 Conventional fireplace and hearth. 15
4.10.1.1 ‘Hole-in-the-wall’ nstallations. 15
4.10.2 Metal flue box and hearth. 16
4.10.3 Precast concrete or clay flue block system and hearth. 16
4.11 Flues. 17
4.12 Propane gas fires. 18
5. PACK CONTENTS 18
6. FIREPLACE CHECK 21
6.1 Soundness for appliance attachment. 21
6.2 Fireplace flue pull. 21
7. IGNITION CHECK 21
8. GAS SUPPLY CONNECTION 22
9. PREPARING APPLIANCE FOR INSTALLATION 23
9.1 Appliance preparation. 23
9.2 Fitting the foam seal (All models). 23
9.3 The flue restrictor. 23
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CONTENTS (Continued)
Section Heading Page
10. HOTBOX INSTALLATION 24
10.1 Method 1- Front fixing to fireplace surround. 24
10.2 Cable retention. 24
10.3 Floor sealing. 26
11. BURNER INSTALLATION 27
11.1 Burner and supply pipe installation. 27
11.2.Lighting the burner. 27
11.3 Operating the burner. 27
11.4 nlet pressure check. 28
11.5 Fitting the burner tray trim. 28
12. FULL OPERATING CHECKS 28
12.1 Check the control settings. 28
12.1.1 Lighting the burner. 28
12.1.2 Operating the burner. 29
13. FASCIA AND FIREFRONT INSTALLATION 29
13.1 Fitting a firefront that has not been supplied with the fire. 29
13.2 Fitting the magnetic three piece fascia trim. 30
13.3 Fitting the Blenheim firefront. 30
13.4 Fitting the Seattle/Siva firefront. 30
14. SPILLAGE AND FLA E SUPERVISION CHECKS 32
14.1 Check for spillage. 32
14.2 Flame supervision and spillage monitoring system. 32
15. FINAL REVIEW 33
16. SERVICING AND PARTS REPLACE ENT 34
16.1 Checking the aeration setting of the burner. 35
16.2 To remove the burner unit. 35
16.3 To remove the pilot unit. 36
16.4 To remove the gas valve. 36
16.5 To remove the burner. 37
16.6 To remove the main burner injector. 37
16.7 To remove the appliance from the fireplace. 37
16.8 To remove the magnetic three piece fascia. 37
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1. I AGES
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Blenheim
Whitsbury
Seattle
Siva

2. SAFETY
Installer
Before continuing any further with the installation of this appliance please read the
following guide to manual handling:
-The lifting weight of the appliance heat engine and hotbox is 4.4 kg. This does
not include fascia or ceramics.
-One person should be sufficient to lift the fire. f 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. t 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 a burner compartment rear wall
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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3. APPLIANCE DATA AND EFFICIENCY
3.1 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 firefront.
3.2 Efficiency.
The efficiency of this appliance has been measured as specified in BS 7977 - 1 and
the result is as below :
odel Efficiency % (Gross) Efficiency % (Net)
956 51 56
956 when converted to LPG 52 56
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.
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Gas Natural (G20) Propane (G31) *
nlet Pressure 20mbar 37mbar
nput - Max. (Gross) 6.0kW (20,500Btu/h) 6.1kW (20,800Btu/h)
nput - Min. (Gross) 2.3kW (7,850Btu/h) 3.8kW (12,965Btu/h)
nput - Max. (Net) 5.4kW (18427Btu/h) 5.61kW (19147Btu/h)
nput - Min. (Net) 2.07kW (7063Btu/h) 3.50kW (11928Btu/h)
nlet 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 njector 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
gnition Piezo Electric. ntegral with
Gas Tap
Piezo Electric. ntegral with
Gas Tap
Aeration Factory set Non-adjustable

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.
4. GENERAL INSTALLATION REQUIRE ENTS
4.1 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 ( nstallation and Use) Regulations. Failure to install the appliance correctly
could lead to prosecution. GAS SAFE REG STER and CORG require their members
to work to recognised standards.
n 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 5440 Part 1 - nstallation of flues.
BS 5440 Part 2 - nstallation 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 - nstallation
BS 1251 - Fireplace components
BS 5871 Part 2 - nstallation - nset LFE gas fires
BS 6891 - Gas pipework installation
-n England and Wales, the current edition of the Building Regulations issued by the
Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office.
-n Scotland, the current edition of the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations
issued by the Scottish Executive.
-n Northern reland, the current edition of the Building regulations (Northern reland)
issued by the Department of the Environment for Northern reland.
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Gas Conversion factor from net to gross efficiency
Natural Gas 0.901
LPG 0.921

-n the Republic of reland the installation must be carried out by a competent
person and installed in accordance with:
a) The current edition of S 813 “Domestic gas installations”.
b) All relevant national and local rules in force.
c) The current building regulations
Where no specific instructions are given, reference should be made to the relevant
British Standard Code of Practice.
4.2 Ventilation requirements.
Normal adventitious ventilation is usually sufficient to satisfy the ventilation
requirements of this appliance. n GB reference should be made to BS 5871 Part 2
and in E reference should be made to the current edition of S 813 “Domestic Gas
nstallations” which makes clear the conditions that must be met to demonstrate that
sufficient ventilation is available.
4.3 The Atmosphere sensing device (ASD).
The appliance is fitted with an A.S.D (Atmosphere sensing device). f 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.
4.4 Fireguard requirements.
A fireguard complying with BS 8423 should be fitted for the protection of young
children, the elderly, the infirm and pet animals.
4.5 Room considerations.
4.5.1 This appliance must not be installed in any room that contains a bath or shower
or where steam is regularly present.
4.5.2 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. f the fan is likely to affect the appliance, the appliance must not be
installed unless the fan is permanently disconnected.
4.5.3 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.
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4.6 Chimney preparation.
4.6.1 f 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.
4.6.2 Any chimney damper or restrictor should be removed. f removal is not possible,
they must be secured in the open position.
4.7 Fireplace preparation.
4.7.1 f the fireplace opening is an underfloor draught type, it must be sealed to stop
any draughts.
4.7.2 The fireplace floor should be reasonably flat to ensure that the hotbox can be
installed without it rocking and so that a good seal can be made at the bottom front of
the box.
4.7.3 The front face of the fireplace should be reasonably flat over the area covered
by the hotbox top and side flange seals to ensure good sealing. These faces should
be made good if necessary.
4.7.4 f 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.
4.7.5 f 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.
4.8 The hearth.
The appliance must be mounted behind a non-combustible hearth unless the
conditions of section 4.10.1.1 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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Figure 1. Removal of combustible
cladding (Fascia may differ from that
shown)

4.9 Fireplace clearances.
4.9.1 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).
4.9.2 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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Figure 2. Combustible shelf clearances
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Figure 3. Appliance dimensions and clearances (Fascia may differ from that shown)
(The appliance dimensions ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ shown in the table are subject to
manufacturing tolerance)
Key
A B C D E
Model Height
(mm)
Width
(mm)
Depth
into
room
(mm)
Minimum
mandatory
clearance to
combustible
surfaces projecting
beyond the front of
appliance (mm).
Recommended
clearance to non-
combustible
surfaces for access
purposes (mm).
Blenheim 588 450 85 100 10
Seattle 588 450 63 100 10
Siva 590 455 80 100 10
Whitsbury 588 450 73 100 10

4.10 Installation options.
n the United Kingdom, as supplied, the appliance can be installed in the following
situations: -
4.10.1 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. The appliance is designed to cater for low lintel installations
(min height 505mm) providing a minimum distance of 25mm is maintained between
the lintel and the front face of the fireplace (i.e. 25mm rebated fire surround).
4.10.1.1 ‘Hole-in-the-wall’ Installations.
-t is recommended that a hearth should be installed as in section 4.8 (See figure 4).
-f 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.
! f the lower part of the fascia (the firefront) is free standing, the recommended
reduced hearth depth is 110mm. 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 4.8 meets the requirements for a tactile
separator. f 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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Figure 4. Hearth and fireplace opening dimensions.

4.10.2 etal 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 Note: 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.
4.10.3 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. However, 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
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Figure 6. Pre-cast fireplace
Figure 5. Metal flue box

current edition. The flue blocks must have a minimum (Depth from the front of the
fireplace opening) 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 ( ncluding plaster, surround etc.) must be not less than 120mm (See figure
6).
4.11 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 4.10.3
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.
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4.12 Propane gas fires.
Propane gas appliances must not be installed in a room, which is built entirely below
ground level (See BS 5871 Pt2).
5. PACK CONTENTS
tems below with a letter reference are supplied on a film wrapped card.
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.
1 Loose parts pack including: -
4 ‘A’ screws (No.8 x 6)
6 ‘B’ screws (No. 8 x 10)
2 ‘C’ screws (M4 x 10)
2 ‘D’ screws (M5 x 10)
2 ‘F’ Cable adjusters
1 ‘G’ nlet ‘T’ connector / elbow including pressure test point, nut and olive.
1 ‘H’ Grommet for rear of hotbox.
4 ‘ ’ Wall plugs
4 ‘J’ Screw eyes.
1 Hotbox and burner assembly
1 Burner tray trim
1 Length of self-adhesive foam seal
2 Fire retaining cables
1 Flue restrictor
1 Strip of floor sealing tape
1 Ceramic fuel effect
1 Fascia / Fascia & firefront
1 Literature pack.
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Figure 7. Pack contents (Not all of the components listed may be required)

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Figure 7. Pack contents continued.