If you've purched a natural gas fireplace, you've
made an investment that will bring you comfort and warmth for years to come. To
help ensure that your fireplace always operates at peak performance, we've
provided you with some simple instructions for it's care and maintenance. Like
other heating products, your gas fireplace requires regular maintenance to
ensure safe and efficient operation. These tips were prepared by the Gas
Fireplace Association of B. C. and are provided as a service to our customers.
- Keep children, pets and combustibles away from
hot surfaces during operation. Familiarize yourself with manufacturer's
operating and maintenance instructions.
- If your fireplace is being installed in a home
during construction or renovations, do not operate it until the area is
thoroughly cleaned; drywall dust and other contaminants may harm the fan,
motors and burners.
- Contact your fireplace dealer or your natural
gas utility or propane supplier if you do not understand the instructions
for your fireplace or if you notice any abnormal operation or odour.
- There are almost always warning signs if a
fireplace is malfunctioning and in need of service:
- pilot light outages
- "booming" noises on ignition
- delayed ignition (slow to start up)
- excessive soot or corrosion inside
fireplace or from vent
- any continious odour - either the "rotton
eggs" gas smell or a sharp odour that may cause eyes to sting
- symptoms of the presence of carbon
monoxide: nausea, headaches, lethargy, or other flu-like symptoms
- If the flame goes out for any reason, wait
before attempting to relight the unit; your manufacturer's instructions will
tell you how long to wait, but many recommend 5 minutes to clear the unit of
gas.
- Make sure that the control compartments,
burners and circulating air passageways and fans are kept clean.
- Have a professional clean and inspect your
fireplace and vent annually; more frequent cleaning may be required due to
excessive lint from carpeting, bedding materials, pet hair, etc.
- Check the manufacturer's instructions befire
adding or modifying a mantle or surround; minimum clearance is required to
combustibles. Do not cover air openings in trim kit.
- Wait for unit to cool completely before wiping
glass with a damp cloth; wiping hot glass can cause thermal stress and
subsequent breakage.
- After cleaning or moving the logs in your
fireplace, be sure to replace them exactly as shown in your owner's manual.
Gloves should be worn when handling since the materials used to form the
logs may irritate your skin. Place a drop sheet in front of the fireplace to
avoid soiling carpets.
- Some fireplaces (direct vent sealed combustion
or power vent units) have a vent through the wall. If you have this kind of
fireplace:
- keep external vent clear of debris; do not
alter the vent or construct a fence or other structure near the vent
without consulting manufacturer's instructions. Minimum clearances from
the vent are required for proper operation and safety.
- when clearing snow, do not cover the vent
opening or direct snow from a snow blower against the vent.
- periodic cleaning of the viewing glass is
required. When cool, remove the glass and note it's fixed position and
gasket placements so that it may be easily and properly reinstalled. Do
not use abrasive cleaners which can scratch or damage the surface of
treated glass. Refer to owner's manual for recommended cleaners.
- if viewing glass or seal need replacing,
use only materials supplied by the fireplace manufacturer. Items must be
suitable for the application and temperature.
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CARBON MONOXIDE
In older homes there was much more air available to dilute the amount of Carbon
Monoxide down to safer levels. Because houses were leakier, the furnace was on
longer which meant that the chimney or vents were heated up more. The hotter the
chimney, the better the draft and therefore the less chance of spillage back
into the house and that meant that if Carbon Monoxide was present in the exhaust
gases, it has less chance of coming back into the building. After being inhaled,
CO is absorbed into the bloodstream, taking the place of oxygen in the blood
cells and forming Carboxyhemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin reduces the amount of
oxygen available in the bloodstream and affects all major organs. Early signs of
CO poisoning are: headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and
confusion. Even healthy people are at risk from this silent killer. If you
suspect any one of having Carbon Monoxide poisoning, direct them to the local
hospital or clinic and ask for a "Carboxyhemoglobin" blood test to be
certain. If you would like more information on Carbon Monoxide, contact your
nearest Gas Fireplace Association of B.C. member to get the straight information
on you and your safety. Check the membership list for a member near you. You
could also contact Bacharach at help@bacharach-inc.com.
