Superior HCD36MH - Manual (Page 3)

3 NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS ARE NOT TO SCALE.
5. Closed screens prevent fi re, sparks and
embers from popping out of the fi rebox
while a fi re is burning. Pull screens back
when adding wood to the fi rebox.
6. Why use a fuel grate? Besides positioning
the fi rebed properly, it protects the refractory
fl oor, back and sides of the fi replace. Further,
it ensures a proper fl ow of combustion air
into and around the fi rebed. The grate must
be used at all times when burning. Your
warranty may be voided without the use
of this grate.
7. Remember, your fi replace is not intended to
heat your entire home. Their unique designs
are intended for architectural, decorating and
aesthetic considerations. Using this fi replace
to heat large areas may lead to overfi ring and
void your warranty.
FUELS
Never Use Coal in Your Fireplace
Your fi replace system is not designed to be
used with coal derivative products. The com-
bustion process of certain types of coal can
deposit corrosive materials in the fi replace and
chimney system which can lead to premature
product failure. Never use coal as a fuel in this
fi replace system.
DECORATIVE GAS LOG SETS
If your fi replace system was installed with a gas
line, you may wish to install one of two types of
gas log sets. This fi replace has been tested and
approved for use with a decorative gas appliance
incorporating an automatic shut-off device and
complying with the Standard for Decorative Gas
Appliances for installation in vented fi replaces,
ANSI Z21.60 (latest edition).
Decorative gas appliances may be installed in
these fi replaces. Installation must be in ac-
cordance with the national Fuel Gas Code, ANSI
Z223.1-latest edition for compliance with the
revised U.L. 127 Standard.
3. Different woods vary widely in fl ame heights,
fl ame intensities, smoke characteristics
and in sparking. Most hardwoods do not
spark.
4. Most freshly cut “green” wood will not burn
well and will smoke. Green wood can be from
10 to 40 percent less effi cient than air-dried
seasoned wood.
5. Moisture and resin found inside unseasoned
wood cells will build up pressure under heat
and explode as sparks.
6. Most wood needs to be seasoned 9 to 12
months to reduce the moisture content and
produce good steady fi res. When moisture
content is reduced from 60 to 20%, the gain
in heat potential is nearly 7%.
7. Proper storage of wood, especially during
seasoning, is essential. We recommend that
you:
a. Never store wood on the ground. This
will cause rotting and insect infi ltra-
tion. Raise wood on fl at rock or scrap
wood.
b. Stack wood loosely to allow air circula-
tion.
c. Store wood where it will not be exces-
sively exposed to weather, such as
under a tarp or under a roof.
d. Do not stack wood directly against the
walls of your home.
8. Be a knowledgeable wood buyer. There is a
difference in cord sizes. A standard cord stack
of logs is 4 ft. high by 8 ft. long by 4 ft.
deep or the equivalent of this cubic footage,
(Figure 1).
Wood Fuel Pointers
Wood is a wonderful renewable fuel source.
Normally it burns clean, leaving only a minimum
of waste ash, provides comforting heat and can
provide a variety of aromas and visual images.
You will want to know which woods are best for
use. Sometimes you may want a quick, short fi re
to offset a morning chill. Soft woods are prefer-
able in this case. Other times you would want
more slow burning and a uniform heat output.
Hardwoods are preferable for this use.
The amount of heat available from the logs will
be about equal on a weight basis. However,
logs are generally not weighed so the amount
of heat will depend on:
1. The type of wood used.
2. How dry it is.
3. How many logs you put in.
4. The size of the logs.
The last statement means that one big log weigh-
ing 10 pounds has as much heating potential
as 10 pounds of twigs. However, air cannot get
at the solid log to feed the fi re so the solid log
will burn slowly. While you would get the same
amount of heat out of either fi re, the smaller the
pieces of wood and the more air space around
them, the faster the fi re will burn.
DISPOSAL OF ASHES
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with
a tight fi tting lid. The closed container of ashes
should be placed on a noncombustible fl oor or
on the ground, well away from all combustible
materials, pending fi nal disposal.
If the ashes are to be disposed of by burial in soil
or other wise locally dispersed, they should be
retained in the closed container until all cinders
have thoroughly cooled.
SOFTWOOD VS HARDWOOD
Softwoods contain about 15 percent highly
fl ammable resin which generates creosote soot
in the chimney fl ue. Burning softwood exclu-
sively may not be as desirable nor as safe as
burning denser hardwoods. Many experienced
fi re-builders use small amounts of softwood
kindling and newspaper in conjunction with
starting a fi re with split hardwood logs. Here
are some guidelines to remember:
1. Softwoods produce fast warming and shorter
fi res. Hardwoods burn less vigorously, have
shorter fl ames and produce steady, glowing
coals.
2. As a general rule, denser woods contain more
potential heat per pound. Most softwoods
offer moderate heat value per pound.
WARNING
This fi replace has not been tested
with an unvented gas log set. To
reduce risk of fi re or injury, do
not install an unvented gas log
set into this fi replace.
CAUTION
When using a decorative gas
appliance, the fi replace damper
must be set in the fully open
position.
Prior to installing any gas log set, refer to the
fi replace installation instructions for verifi cation
of mantel heights and placement of combustible
materials around the fi rebox opening.
4'
4'
8'
Standard
Cord of
Wood
A face cord is the same height and length as a
standard cord but the depth is only the length
of the logs (12, 18 or 24 inches). A face cord
can contain as little as 25% of the wood found
in a standard cord.
If you buy by the ton, remember that wood
becomes lighter as it dries. When buying green
or wet wood, ask for some extra poundage to
allow for the extra water you will be getting.
Figure 1