Ventus ME300 User manual


45722A
PrintedinCanada10‐10‐2014
INSTALLATIONANDOPERATIONMANUAL
ME300

U.S.EPALowMassWood‐burning
Fireplacevoluntaryprogramphase2
emissionlevelqualifiedmodel



SafetytestedaccordingtoULCS610
andUL127StandardsbyIntertek

www.occanada.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
READANDKEEPTHISMANUALFORREFERENCE
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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ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual
THANKYOUFORCHOOSINGTHISVENTIS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woodburning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
TechnicalTraining)orinQuebecbyAPC(AssociationdesProfessionnelsduChauffage).
Congratulationsonmakingawisepurchase.
Readthisentiremanualbeforeyouinstallanduseyournewfireplace.Itisimportantthatyoufollowthe
installationsguidelinesexactly.Failuretoinstallthisfireplacecorrectlycouldresultinahousefire,bodily
injuryorevendeath.
Youmayneedtoobtainabuildingpermitfortheinstallationofthisfireplaceandthechimneythatitis
connectedto.Consultyourmunicipalbuildingorfiredepartmentaboutinstallationrequirementsinyour
area.Werecommendthatyoualsoinformyourhomeinsurancecompanytofindoutiftheinstallation
willaffectyourpolicy.
PLEASENOTETHATTHEPICTURESSHOWNINTHISMANUALAREGENERICANDMAYNOTMATCH
EXACTLYTHELOOKOFYOURFIREPLACE.
WARNING:
THEINFORMATIONGIVENONTHECERTIFICATIONLABELAFFIXEDTOTHEAPPLIANCEALWAYS
OVERRIDESTHEINFORMATIONPUBLISHED,INANYOTHERMEDIA(OWNER’SMANUAL,CATALOGUES,
FLYERS,MAGAZINESAND/ORWEBSITES).
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.


ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual3
TableofContent
PARTA–INSTALLATION...................................................................................5
1Safety.........................................................................................................5
1.1SafetyInformation...............................................................................................................................5
1.1.1RegulationsCoveringFireplaceInstallation.....................................................................................7
2GeneralInformation...................................................................................8
2.1ME300WoodFireplaceSpecifications.................................................................................................8
2.2TheBenefitsofEPAVoluntaryEmissionProgram«LowMass»PhaseII..........................................10
3Installation...............................................................................................11
3.1FireplaceInstallation.........................................................................................................................11
3.1.1InstallationofaGasLogSet..........................................................................................................11
3.2LocatingtheME300WoodFireplace................................................................................................11
3.3Raisedbaseinstallation.....................................................................................................................11
3.4R‐ValueCalculations..........................................................................................................................16
3.5MinimumHeartExtensionRequirements........................................................................................17
3.6Framing,Facing,Mantel,andCombustibleShelf.............................................................................19
3.6.1Framing..........................................................................................................................................19
3.7Facing................................................................................................................................................23
3.8ComplianceofaCombustibleMantelShelf......................................................................................24
3.9FreshAirIntakeKit............................................................................................................................25
3.10FaceplateInstallationVBA1520(SoldSeparately)............................................................................27
3.11TheUseoftheFireScreen................................................................................................................28
4VentingSystem.........................................................................................29
4.1GeneralInformation..........................................................................................................................29
4.2SuitableChimneys.............................................................................................................................29
4.3ChimneyInstallationNotes...............................................................................................................31
4.4ChimneyInstallationInstructions.....................................................................................................33
4.4.1ExamplesofTypicalChimneyInstallation.....................................................................................33
4.5OffsetChimneyInstallation..............................................................................................................38
4.6AngledWallRadiationShield............................................................................................................38
4.7ChimneySupportInstallation...........................................................................................................39
4.7.1UniversalRoofSupport.................................................................................................................39
4.7.2UniversalOffsetSupport...............................................................................................................40
4.8InstallationInstructionsforMasonryApplication............................................................................40

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4ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual
PARTB‐OPERATIONANDMAINTENANCE.....................................................42
5Fuel..........................................................................................................42
5.1TheUseofManufacturedLogs.........................................................................................................42
6OperatingtheME300WoodFireplace......................................................43
6.1FirstFires...........................................................................................................................................43
6.2BuildingaFire....................................................................................................................................43
6.3MaintainingtheFire..........................................................................................................................43
6.4AirIntakeControlandExhaustDamper...........................................................................................44
6.5SmokingCausesandTroubleshooting...........................................................................................44
7MaintainingYourME300WoodFireplace.................................................46
7.1Creosote–FormationandNeedforRemoval..................................................................................46
7.2ChimneyMaintenance......................................................................................................................46
7.3DealingWithaChimneyFire.............................................................................................................46
7.4DisposalofAshes..............................................................................................................................47
7.5RefractoryPanelReplacement.........................................................................................................47
7.6ReplacingtheGlassand/ortheGlassGasket...................................................................................49
7.7PlatedFinishMaintenance................................................................................................................50
7.8GlassCare–Cleaning........................................................................................................................50
7.9BlowerMaintenanceorReplacement..............................................................................................51
Appendix1:OptionalHotAirDistributionKitInstallation(AC01375,AC01376
orAC01340)...............................................................................54
Appendix2:ExplodedDiagramandPartsList.................................................65
VENTISLIMITEDLIFETIMEWARRANTY...........................................................68

REGISTERYOU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.occanada.com/en/service‐support/warranty‐registration
Registeringyourwarrantyonlinewillhelpustrackrapidlytheinformation
weneedonyourunit.


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ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual5
PARTA–INSTALLATION
THEINFORMATIONGIVENONTHECERTIFICATIONLABELAFFIXEDTOTHEAPPLIANCEALWAYS
OVERRIDESTHEINFORMATIONPUBLISHED,INANYOTHERMEDIA(OWNER’SMANUAL,CATALOGUES,
FLYERS,MAGAZINESAND/ORWEBSITES).
1SAFETY
1.1 SafetyInformation
CAUTION: NEVERUSEGASOLINE,GASOLINE‐TYPELANTERNFUEL,KEROSENE,CHARCOALLIGHTER
FLUIDORSIMILARLIQUIDSTOSTARTOR‘‘FRESHENUP’’AFIREINTHISFIREPLACE.KEEP
ALLSUCHLIQUIDSWELLAWAYFROMTHEFIREPLACEATALLTIMES.
CAUTION:KEEPCOMBUSTIBLEMATERIALSATLEAST48INCHESAWAYFROMTHEFRONTOFTHE
FIREPLACEOPENING.
CAUTION:NEVERLEAVECHILDRENUNATTENDEDWHENTHEREISAFIREBURNINGINTHEFIREPLACE.
CAUTION:NEVERUSEGRATEORELEVATEFIRE.BUILDWOODFIREDIRECTLYONHEARTH.
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.
WARNING:THISFIREPLACEHASNOTBEENTESTEDWITHAGASLOGLIGHTER.
WARNING:DONOTUSEMATERIALOTHERTHANTHOSELISTEDINTHEREPLACEMENTPARTSSECTION
DURINGINSTALLATIONASTHEYMAYBESAFETYHAZARDSANDAFIRECOULDRESULT.
CAUTION:FORSAFETYREASONS,ITISVERYIMPORTANTTOUSEANON‐COMBUSTIBLEMATERIAL
FORTHESURROUNDOFTHEFIREPLACE.INTHATCASE,ACEMENT‐BOARD(DUROCKSTYLE)
ISMANDATORY.FAILINGTORESPECTTHISGUIDELINEMAYRESULTINAFIRE.
CAUTION:THISHEATINGUNITMUSTSERVEASASUPPLEMENTARYHEATSOURCE.ANALTERNATIVE
HEATSOURCESHOULDBEAVAILABLEINTHEHOMEIFNEEDED.THEMANUFACTURER
CANNOTBERESPONSIBLEFORADDITIONALHEATINGCOSTSASSOCIATEDWITHTHEUSE
OFANALTERNATIVEHEATSOURCE.ITISHIGHLYRECOMMENDEDTHATTHEUSERBUYS
THISPRODUCTFROMARETAILERWHOCANPROVIDEINSTALLATIONANDMAINTENANCE
ADVICES.
CAUTION:DONOTCONNECTTHISUNITTOACHIMNEYFLUESERVINGANOTHERAPPLIANCE.
CAUTION:DONOTINSTALLTHISFIREPLACEINAMOBILEHOME.


6ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual
CAUTION:OPERATEONLYWITHGLASSDOORSFULLYCLOSEDORFULLYOPENWITHMECHEDOORS
ALWAYSCLOSED.IFDOORSARELEFTPARTLYOPEN,GASANDFLAMEMAYBEDRAWNOUT
OFTHEOPENING,CREATINGRISKSFROMBOTHFIREANDSMOKE.NEVERLEAVETHE
FIREPLACEUNATTENDEDWHENINUSE.
WARNING:THISFIREPLACEHASBEENTESTEDFORUSEWITHOPENDOORSINCONJUNCTIONWITH
MECHEDOORSALWAYSCLOSED.THEMECHEDOORSMAYBEOPENNEDONLYDURING
LIGHTINGPROCEDURESORRELOADING.ALWAYSCLOSETHEMECHEDOORSAFTER
IGNITION.
WARNING:THISFIREPLACEHASNOTBEENTESTEDTOBEINSTALLEDINSIDEAMASONRYCHIMNEY.




ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual7
1.1.1 RegulationsCoveringFireplaceInstallation
Wheninstalledandoperatedasdescribedintheseinstructions,theME300woodfireplaceissuitablefor
useasafireplaceapplianceinresidentialinstallations.
InCanada,theCSAB365InstallationCodeforSolidFuelBurningAppliancesandEquipmentandtheCSA
C22.1CanadianNationalElectricalCodearetobefollowedintheabsenceoflocalcoderequirements.In
theUSA,theNFPA211StandardforChimneys,Fireplaces,VentsandSolidFuel‐BurningAppliancesandthe
ANSINFPA70NationalElectricalCodearetobefollowedintheabsenceoflocalcoderequirements.
NOTE: TheFireplaceisnotapprovedforusewithaso‐called“positiveflueconnection”totheclaytileof
amasonrychimney.


8ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual
2GENERALINFORMATION
2.1 ME300WoodFireplaceSpecifications
FuelTypeCordwood
TestStandards(safety)ULC‐S610andUL127
TestStandard(emissions)
ASTM2515andASTM2558tocomplywithU.S.EPALow
MassWood‐burningFireplacevoluntaryprogramphase
2emissionlevelqualifiedmodel
RecommendedHeatingArea<1,500sq.ft.(<139m2)
Minimumburnrate>5kg/h(>11lb/h)
ShippingWeight450lb(205kg)
FireboxVolume3.1cu.ft.(0.088m3)
MaximumLogLength20”east‐west
FlueOutletDiameter8”(203mm)diameter(vertical)
MobilehomeapprovedNo
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ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual9
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10ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual
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2.2 TheBenefitsofEPAVoluntaryEmissionProgram«LowMass»PhaseII
Inthepast,mostconventionalmasonryandlow‐mass,factory‐builtfireplaceswerenotefficientat
producingusableheat.Typically,over90percentoftheheatgeneratedbyafireplacewaslostoutthe
chimney.Inaddition,manyofthesefireplacesweresourcesofsmoke,indoorsandout.
In2009,theUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)initiatedavoluntaryprogramformanufacturersof
decorativewoodburningfireplacestoencouragemanufacturerstoproducecleanwood‐burningappliances
thatreduceairpollution.UndertheU.S.EPALowMassFireplaceVoluntaryProgram, cleanerburning
fireplacesareonesthatqualifyforthePhaseIemissionlevelsof7.3g/kg(approximately57percentcleaner
thanunqualifiedmodels)orthePhaseIIemissionlevelsof5.1g/kg(approximately70percentcleanerthan
unqualifiedmodels).ParticipatingmanufacturersareexpectedtoqualifyunderPhase2by2013.The
ME300woodfireplaceisaphaseIIemissionlevelqualifiedmodelthatbringsyouthebenefitsoflower
emissions.

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ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual11
3INSTALLATION
3.1 FireplaceInstallation
CAUTION:BEFORECLOSINGTHEWALLS,MAKESURETHATTHEAIRCONTROLMECHANISM,THE
FLUEDAMPERANDDOORSMECHANISMWORKPROPERLY.
3.1.1 InstallationofaGasLogSet
Youcaninstalladecorativegasapplianceoraventedgaslogsetinthehearth.Todothis,installan
automaticshut‐offvalve.ComplywiththeStandardforDecorativeGasAppliancesforInstallationinVented
Fireplaces,ANSIZ21.60(1991)orAmericanGasAssociationdraftrequirementsforGas‐FiredLogLighters
forWoodBurningFireplaces,DraftNo.4datedAugust,1993.
WARNING:THISFIREPLACEHASNOTBEENTESTEDWITHANUNVENTEDGASLOGSET.TOREDUCE
RISKOFFIREORINJURY,DONOTINSTALLANUNVENTEDGASLOGSETINTOTHIS
FIREPLACE.
3.2 LocatingtheME300WoodFireplace
A. Thebestlocationtoinstallyourfireplaceisdeterminedbyconsideringthelocationofwindows,doors,
andthetrafficflowintheroomwherethefireplaceislocated,allowingspaceinfrontoftheunitforthe
hearthextensionandthemantel,andtakingintoconsiderationthelocationoftheoutsideairkitand
chimney.Ifpossible,youshouldchoosealocationwherethechimneywillpassthroughthehouse
withoutcuttingfloororroofrafters.Alsochoosealocationthatallowsinstallingtheleastamountof
offsetsinthechimney.
B. Usually,noadditionalfloorsupportisneededforthefireplace.Theadequacyofthefloorcanbe
checkedbyfirstestimatingtheweightofthefireplacesystem.WeightsaregivenintheSection2.1:
ME300WoodFireplaceSpecifications.Next,measuretheareaoccupiedbythefireplacewhichis
normally411/8"x255/8"(105cmx65cm).Notethefloorconstructionandconsultyourlocalbuilding
codetodetermineifadditionalsupportisneeded.
WARNING:THEFIREPLACEMUSTBEINSTALLEDONALEVELANDSTRAIGHT(NOTUNEVEN)SURFACE.
3.3 Raisedbaseinstallation
TheME300fireplacemaybeinstalleddirectlyonthefloororonaraisedcombustibleornoncombustible
base.However,theupperandlowerangle,forthefullwidthofthefloorprotection,mustbeprotected2"
horizontallyandvertically(E)byanon‐combustiblematerial.Forexample,asheetmetal(notincluded).
Apartfromthesetwocorners,thesheetmetaldoesnothavetocovertherestofthewallbetweenthebase
ofthefireplaceandthefloor.
Notethatthenon‐combustiblehearthextensionfloorareamustextendatleast16"(41cm)infrontofthe
hearthasshowninSection3.5:MinimumHeartExtensionRequirements.
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12ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual

CLEARANCESMINIMUM
MEASUREMENTS
A72"(1829mm)
E2"(51mm)
B12"(305mm)maximum
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ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual13
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14ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual
Inthecasewhere(F)wouldbeequalto4",itissuggestedthatthesheetmetalbetweenthebaseofthe
fireplaceandfloorbeinonepiece.
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Inthecasewherethefireplaceisinstalleddirectlyonthefloorthejointbetweenthehearthextensionand
thefireplace(E)mustalsobeprotectedbyanon‐combustiblematerial.Forexample,asheetmetal(not
included).
Notethatthefloorunderofthefireplaceshouldmatchorexceedtheheightofthefloorprotection.

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ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual15

MINIMUMMEASUREMENT
E2"(51mm)
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Anoncombustiblefloorprotectionmustbeinstalledinfrontoftheunit.FormoredetailsseeSection3.5:
MinimumHeartExtensionRequirements.TheuseofanRvalueisconvenientwhenmorethanonematerial
isgoingtobeusedinthehearthextensiontocoverthecombustiblesurface.ThisisbecauseRvaluesare
additive,whereasKvaluesarenot.TofindthecorrespondingRfactortouseforsomeselectedmaterials,
pleaseseeThermalCharacteristicsofCommonFloorProtectionMaterialstable.
CAUTION:DONOTLEAVECARPETUNDERTHEFLOORPROTECTIONINFRONTOFTHEFIREPLACE

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16ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual
3.4 R‐ValueCalculations
TherearetwowaystocalculatetheRfactorofthefloorprotection.First,byaddingtheR‐valuesofthe
proposedmaterialsorifsomeKandthicknessvaluesaregiven,byconvertingthemtoRvalues.
TocalculatetheRfactorforacompositefloorprotectionmadeofacombinationofalternativematerials,
simplyaddtheR‐valuesofthosematerials.IftheresultisequaltoorlargerthantherequiredRvalue,the
combinationisacceptable.ForR‐valuesofsomeselectedmaterials,seeTableThermalCharacteristicsof
CommonFloorProtectionMaterials.
Example:
RequiredfloorprotectionRof1.00.Proposedmaterials:fourinchesofbrickandoneinchof
Durock®board:
Fourinchesofbrick
(R=4x0,2=0,8)plus1inchofDurock®(R=1x0.52=0.52).
0.8+0.52=1.32.
ThisRvalueislargerthantherequired1.00andisthereforeacceptable

InthecaseofaknownKandthicknessofalternativematerialstobeusedincombination,convertallK
valuestoRbydividingthethicknessofeachmaterialbyitsKvalue.AddtheRvaluesofyourproposed
materialsasshowninthepreviousexample.
Example:
Kvalue=0.75
Thickness=1
Rvalue=Thickness/K=1/0.75=1.33
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ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual17
ThermalCharacteristicsofCommonFloorProtectionMaterials*
MATERIALCONDUCTIVITY(k)
PERINCH
RESISTANCE(R)PERINCH
THICKNESS
Micore®1600.392.54
Micore®3000.492.06
Durock®1.920.52
Hardibacker®1.950.51
Hardibacker®5002.30.44
Wonderboard®3.230.31
Cementmortar5.000.2
Commonbrick5.000.2
Facebrick9.000.11
Marble14.3–20.000.07–0.05
Ceramictile12.50.008
Concrete1.0500.950
Mineralwoolinsulation0.3203.120
Limestone6.50.153
Ceramicboard(Fibremax)0.4502.2
Horizontalstillair**(1/8")0.1350,920**
*Informationasreportedbymanufacturersandotherresources
**Fora1/8"thickness.Youcannot«stack»horizontalstillairtoaccumulateR‐values;youmustseparate
eachlayerofhorizontalstillairwithanothernon‐combustiblematerial.
3.5 MinimumHeartExtensionRequirements
Thehearthextensionfloorareamustextendatleast16"(41cm)infrontofthehearth(A)andatleast8"
(20cm)oneachsideofthedooropening(D).Thejointbetweenthehearthextensionandthefireplace
hearthneedstobemadeofnon‐combustiblematerialsuchassheetmetal(notincluded).

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18ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual

CLEARANCES
A16"(406mm)
B46"(1168mm)
C8"(203mm) 
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ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual19
3.6 Framing,Facing,Mantel,andCombustibleShelf
3.6.1 Framing
Theconstructionoftheframing,facing,andmantelmustbeinaccordancewiththestandardsandthe
followingillustrations:
A. Framethefireplaceusing2"×3"(5cmx8cm)orheavierlumber.
WARNING:COMBUSTIBLEFRAMINGMATERIALCANNOTBEUSEDINTHESPACEDIRECTLYABOVETHE
FIREPLACE,EXCEPTFORTHESTUDSABOVETHEFACINGTHATSUPPORTTHEFACING
MATERIALANDMANTEL.THISAREAMUSTREMAINEMPTYFORAHEIGHTOF6′ (1.83M)
MEASUREDFROMTHEBASEOFTHEAPPLIANCE.
B. Framethefireplacewithverticalstudsoneachsideofthefireplacerunningfromfloortoceiling.
Positionthestudsbackfromthefrontedgeofthefireplace,leavingaspacethethicknessofthefacing
materialsothatthefacingcanbeinstalledflushwiththefireplacefacingwithinlimitationsoffigures
andtablesbellow.Frameheadersbetweentheverticalstudsonlyasfollows:
Place2"x3"(5cmx8cm)or2"x4"(5cmx10cmheaders,onlyalongtheupperpartofthefront,
sideandbackfaces.Donotputwoodoranycombustiblematerialwithintheareaabovethe
fireplaceexceptonthefrontfacing.
Placeheadersonlyasrequiredtosupportthefacingandmantel.
WARNING:DONOTPACKREQUIREDAIRSPACESWITHINSULATIONOROTHERMATERIAL.
WARNING:THEFIREPLACEMUSTNOTBEINCONTACTWITHANYINSULATIONORLOOSEFILLING
MATERIAL.COVERTHEINSULATIONWITHDRYWALLPANELSAROUNDTHEFIREPLACE.


20ME300‐InstallationandOperationManual

Wallfinishbehindthefireplace’sfaceplateinstallation

CLEARANCES
A2"(51mm)
B*67/8"(175mm)
C*72"(1829mm)minimum
D*51/2"(140mm)

MEASUREMENTS
E*411/8"(1045mm)
F*251/2"(648mm)
G13/8"(35mm)MAX

*Whendrywallpanelsoranyotherfinishingmaterialinsidethechasearoundthefireplaceistobeused,
additsthicknesstothemeasurement.