TOA Electronics BCF-3885 - Manual (Page 5)

5 NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS NOT TO SCALE.
COMBUSTION AIR
A proper amount of combustion air is important
for your fireplace. Fireplaces consume large
amounts of oxygen. It is important to allow an
adequate supply of air.
If the fireplace is not equipped with an outside
air kit, it may not obtain sufficient amounts of
combustion air from inside the house or struc-
ture in which it is installed. Therefore, the fire
may draw from an outside air source and pull
air in through the chimney. This may cause
smoke spillage into the room.
Smoke spillage often occurs when a fire is first
started, until the fireplace and the chimney has
had the opportunity to “come up to tempera-
ture” and to begin to function normally. If
smoke spillage problems persist, a window
may be opened just a crack to allow the proper
flow of combustion air to the fireplace.
If your fireplace is equipped with an outside
combustion air kit, keep it open at all times
when fire is burning and close when fire is out
to prevent cold air intrusion.
Combustion Air Control
If your BCF/BRF Series fireplace is equipped
with the optional combustion air kit, the com-
bustion air control lever is located on the left
side of the fireplace opening behind the screen
panel. To open the air damper, pull the lever all
the way out. To close, push the lever all the
way in (
Figure 5 ).
• The fire must always be confined within the
boundaries of the fuel grate.
• The fireplace screens must always be closed
whenever the fireplace is being used.
• Never slam the glass door since it could cause
the glass to break.
• Do not build excessively large or hot fires —
scorching or discoloring of the plated brass
trim may occur.
• Extreme temperature changes can cause glass
breakage — do not build a hot fire and close the
glass doors if the doors are cold.
• If the tempered glass pane becomes scratched
or chipped, it creates a weakness in the glass
which can cause the glass to break when
heated. Replace the pane of glass by contact-
ing your nearest dealer.
CAUTION: GLASS AND METAL FRAMES
GET HOT — ALWAYS USE HANDLES TO
OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOORS.
WARNING: BE AWARE THAT SAFETY
GLASS IS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN HOT
AND MAY BREAK, EXPELLING HOT GLASS
INTO THE ROOM. ADVISE ALL FAMILY
MEMBERS TO REMAIN WELL AWAY
FROM THE FIREPLACE WHEN OPERAT-
ING WITH DOORS CLOSED TO AVOID
ANY POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
IMPORTANT: Plated polished brass glass
doors may have a plastic covering over all
brass pieces for protection during shipping
and handling. The plastic covering should be
removed before installation of the glass doors.
Under the plastic covering is a protective
lacquer coating which should not be removed.
In some instances, if it is removed, irrevers-
ible damage to the brass finish could occur.
Refer to the following for specific information
on plated polished brass.
IMPORTANT: The lacquer coating on the pol-
ished brass glass doors and trim pieces can
be damaged or removed causing corrosion
and/or tarnish. Do not remove the protective
lacquer coating from plated polished doors
and trim. To help protect the finish; use a
non-acidic wax and avoid the over-spray of
acidic/alkali based glass cleaners on the
brass pieces. Please understand that the
heat of the fire will cause the protective
lacquer finish to slightly change to a light
caramel color. Do not be alarmed as this is
a normal occurrence.
Figure 5
The outside air damper should be kept closed
on all fireplaces except when the fireplace is in
operation. If there is no heat present in the
firebox, the air damper should be closed at
night before retiring to prevent intrusion of
outside air into the home.
Closed
Open
WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE THE COM-
BUSTION AIR ACTUATOR UNLESS A
COMPLETE OUTSIDE COMBUSTION AIR
VENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED
WITH YOUR FIREPLACE.
REFRACTORIES
All fireboxes contain a furnace refractory floor,
sides and back. These refractories are rein-
forced with steel, but can be broken by improper
use. Dropping logs on the bottom refractory
and building fires directly against the refracto-
ries can cause premature burnout of these
components. It may easily be repaired or re-
placed at costs far below repair and maintenance
for masonry fireplaces.
Proper care and “burn-in” of the firebox will
prolong the period of enjoyment without exten-
sive maintenance. For the first few uses, build
small fires – not roaring infernos. The materials
used in the refractories contain and absorb mois-
ture. It is important to “cure” the refractories by
building only modest fires. Under normal usage,
it is expected that hairline cracks will appear in
the refractory surface. These hairline cracks do
not affect the safe operation of the fireplace.
Refractories should be replaced when:
1. The crack opens more than ¹⁄₄" (19 mm).
2. Pitting in the surface is extensive and pits
become deeper than
³⁄₁₆" (4.76 mm).
3. Any piece of refractory larger than 2" (51 mm)
in radius and
³⁄₁₆" deep becomes dislodged.
If conditions 1, 2 or 3 occur, the refractory
should be replaced.
MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES
Your fireplace is designed to operate trouble-
free with minimum maintenance. However, like
any fine appliance, it deserves and requires
some housekeeping attention.
Your fireplace will perform better – and cer-
tainly look more attractive to family and friends
– if it is cleaned before each use. Before the first
seasonal use in Autumn and after the last fire in
Spring, it is important to inspect the fireplace
system carefully. We recommend at least two
complete fireplace inspections a year.