Hearth and Home Technologies BIR50 Burning Process, Air Control, Automatic Combustion Control

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North Star

EPA Certified Fireplace

3. Burning Process

Fire requires three things to burn: fuel, air and heat. So, if heat is robbed from the fireplace during the drying stage, the new load of wood has reduced the chances for a good clean burn. For this reason, it is always best to burn dry, seasoned firewood. We do not advise burning unseasoned wood, however if it happens, you must open the Slide Air Control and burn the fireplace at a high burn setting for a longer time to start it burning.

Kindling or 1st stage:

It helps to know a little about the actual process of burning in order to understand what goes on inside a fireplace. The first stage of burning is called the kindling stage. In this stage, the wood is heated to a temperature high enough to evaporate the moisture which is present in all wood. The wood will reach the boiling point of water (212°F) and will not get any hotter until the water is evaporated. This process takes heat from the coals and tends to cool the fireplace.

2nd stage:

The next stage of burning, the secondary stage, is the period when the wood gives off flammable gases which burn above the fuel with bright flames. During this stage of burning it is very important that the flames be maintained and not allowed to go out. This will ensure the cleanest possible fire. If you are adjusting your fireplace for a low burn rate, you should close down the air to the point where you can still maintain some flame. If the flames tend to go out, the fireplace is set too low for your burning conditions.

CAUTION:

Fireplace operation does require air. Do not take air from other fuel burning appliances which can result in improper venting (smoking) or air dilution. Always provide adequate makeup air.

4. Air Control

The air enters at the upper front of the firebox, near the top of the glass door. This preheated air supplies the necessary fresh oxygen to mix with the unburned gases. This air is regulated by the Slide Air Control. For more air - slide the control to the right, for less air

-slide the control to the left.

5.Automatic Combustion Control

Typically, when you build a fire, you need to open the controls to give the fire more air so the wood will get going. You then have to go back to the unit and shut it down so it doesn’t overfire and burn up your wood too quickly.

With the Automatic Combustion Control system, you can set the fireplace to high (all the way to the right), start your fire, and then move the Slide Air Control to their desired burn level. The fireplace will automatically go to that level after the fire is fully established. This allows for less interaction with the fire by the homeowner and more efficient use of fuel while maintaining the desired heat output.

IMPORTANT! As you move the control rod to the right, about three-fourths of the way you will feel some resistance. You must move past that resistance approximately 3/4” to fully engage the Automatic Combustion Control (ACC) sytstem

Final stage:

 

 

 

 

 

The final stage of burning is the charcoal stage. This

 

 

 

 

 

occurs when the flammable gases have been mostly

 

 

 

 

 

burned and only charcoal remains. This is a naturally

 

 

 

 

 

clean portion of the burn. The coals burn with hot

 

 

Slide Air Control

 

 

blue flames.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is very important to reload your fireplace while enough

Left-Close

Right-Open

Outside Air Knob

lively hot coals remain in order to provide the amount

 

 

 

 

 

of heat needed to dry and rekindle the next load of

 

 

 

OPEN

CLOSE

wood. It is best to open the air control for a short while

 

 

 

before reloading. This livens up the coalbed. Open

 

 

 

 

 

door slowly so that ash or smoke does not exit fireplace

 

 

 

 

 

through opening. You should also break up any large

 

 

 

 

 

chunks and distribute the coals so that the new wood is

 

 

 

 

 

laid evenly on hot coals.

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

Meet

ACC Fully

 

 

 

Position

 

 

 

Resistance

Engaged

 

 

 

 

 

480-1081

22

 

 

 

4-03

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Contents Kensington Blvd Installation & Operating InstructionsHearth & Home Technologies Lakeville, MNTable of Contents Safety PrecautionsFireplace system consists of the following Listings and Code ApprovalsDescription of the Fireplace System Required Components IncludeInstallation and Draft Considerations Outside AIR KIT InstallationHearth Extension / Floor Protection Fireplace and Hearth Extension are flush on the floorChimney Components Catalog No DescriptionCatalog No 27-3/815-3/4 PRE-INSTALLATION Preparation Fireplace Locations and Space RequirementsChimney Requirements Electrical Access and Wiring DiagramFraming the Fireplace Using Offsets and Returns Offset ChartChimney Height Requirements above roof line Dimensions reflect effective heightNumber of Sections Required Placing the Protective Metal Hearth Strips Installation of FireplacePositioning the Fireplace Leveling the FireplaceInstalling the Firestop Spacer Installing Firestop SpacersDouble-checking the Chimney Assembly Installing an Attic Insulation ShieldMobile home installation SL-300 Series MH842 Celing/Roof ThimbleMarking the Exit Point of the Roof SL-300 MH842 Celing/Roof Thimble Cont’dSecuring the Chimney System Cutting out the Hole in the RoofCompletion of the Enclosure Installing the Roof FlashingHearth Extension Alternate materials worksheet Position the Hearth ExtensionMantel Constructing a ChaseFinishing Material MaterialsChase Top Termination CapGeneral Information Outside Air Automatic Combustion Control Burning ProcessAir Control Kindling or 1st stageHeat Zone Operating Instructions Burning GuidelinesFan Operating Instructions BTU / Hr Slide ControlBurn Rates Starting a FireOpacity Wood Fuel Hardwood vs. Softwood Moisture contentSeasoning Draft Problems Storing WoodMaintenance Instructions Care and Cleaning of Glass Glass Replacement Care and Cleaning of Plated SurfacesFirebrick Replacement Brick PatternFan Replacement Fan Cord LocationBaffle Removal & Installation Door & Door GasketDoor Assembly Fascia Assembly Exploded ViewService Parts List Index Lifetime Warranty Please Return