Proper use is critical to safe and efficient operation of factory-built fireplaces. When you light a fire, keep in mind the following considerations.
- The damper must be fully open before starting a fire and left open until the fire is out. If a source for outside air for combustion exists, be sure that it is open before you light the fire.
- Don’t overload the fireplace. When the fireplace is overloaded, burning logs could roll out. Never use wet or green wood.
- The fireplace will emit more radiant heat with the glass doors open. Be sure to close the screen to prevent sparks from flying out into your living room. Close the glass doors to reduce heat loss from the room into the chimney only when your fire is dying down. Glass doors on a factory-built fireplace must be tested and listed for that particular fireplace. It can be dangerous to use the wrong set of glass doors for your fireplace. Bi-fold doors, if left partially open, may draw gas and flames out of the fireplace opening into the room.
- Never start a fire with liquid fire starters, i.e. gasoline, kerosene, etc.
- Do not burn Christmas trees or a lot of paper in your fireplace. These types of fires get very hot quickly and are extremely dangerous to the area surrounding your fireplace. This can warp the doors or break the glass.
- Keep the base of the fireplace free of excessive ash accumulation. Underneath the burning logs should be free from ash. Make sure ash does not build up to a point where it hinders the air supply under the logs.
- Do not install a wood stove (whether free-standing or insert style) into a factory-built fireplace and chimney system, unless the insert you are using has been tested, listed for use with your fireplace, and approved by the manufacturer of the chimney system. Do not rely on the stove manufacturer approval alone. Installing an insert into a fireplace system that is not designed for either the weight of the unit or the intense heat that the insert or stove produces, could result in a house fire and will also void any warranty issued by the fireplace manufacturer.
- Annual inspection and cleaning as required of your factory-built fireplace and chimney is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and the chimney Safety Institute of America.
