INSTALLATION
PAGE 11
DRAFT REQUIREMENTS
The appliance is merely one component of a larger sys-
tem. The other equally important component is the vent-
ing system which is necessary for achieving the required
flow of combustion air to the fire chamber and for safely
removing unwanted combustion byproducts from the ap-
pliance. If the venting system's design does not promote
these ends, the system may not function properly. Poorly
functioning venting systems may create performance
problems (i.e. smoking stove, poor heat output, fire goes
out, window blackens, increased creosote buildup, etc.)
as well as be a safety hazard. Some factors that may
lead to performance problems are as follows:
• Oversized or undersized chimney.
• Excessive offsets in venting.
• Insufficient vertical height of chimney.
• Insufficient chimney termination height in relationship
to roof.
• Insufficient ventilation.
• Lack of maintenance.
• Improper operation.
• Burning improper fuel (unit is approved for use with
natural dry well-seasoned wood only).
• Down drafts in the chimney (may need a special wind
cap).
To ensure that the venting system is functioning properly
a draft test should be performed (see Draft Test Proce-
dure on this page).
American National Standards Institute ANSI/NFPA 211-
92: A chimney or vent shall be so designed and con-
structed to develop a flow sufficient to completely re-
move all flue and vent gases to the outside atmosphere.
The venting system shall satisfy the draft requirements of
the connected appliance in accordance with the manu-
facturer instructions.
DRAFT TEST PROCEDURE
After this appliance is installed a draft test should be per-
formed to ensure proper draft. A qualified technician
should perform the draft test procedure as follows:
1) Close all windows and doors in the dwelling.
2) Turn on or operate all appliances which remove air
from the home (such as a furnace, heat pump, air
conditioner, clothes dryer, exhaust fans, fireplaces,
and other fuel burning appliances).
3) Drill a hole in the vent pipe per the draft gauge
manufacturers instructions (to create a draft test
port). Note: Hole location should be a minimum of 1
foot above flue outlet collar.
4) Start a fire (See How To Start And Maintain A Fire
on page 16).
5) After the fire is well established (20-25 minutes) and
burning at a low setting, perform the draft test per the
gauge manufacturer instructions. The draft gauge
should read between .05 and .07” W.C. (inches water
column). Excessive draft (above .07 W.C.I.) can result in
too much combustion air to be pulled into the firebox, this
will produce hotter burns and could result in overfiring.
Too little draft (below .05” W.C.) will not allow enough
combustion air delivery to maintain a fire well or cause
performance problems such as smoking (this may result
in improper operation of appliance, i.e. will not maintain
fire well unless ash drawer or fuel door is left open).
6) Install a screw to seal the draft test port in the vent pipe.
If the draft test reading was not within the required range,
correct the installation and repeat this procedure.
VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS / PROVIDE ADE-
QUATE AIR FOR COMBUSTION
THE FRESH AIR REQUIREMENTS OF THIS APPLI-
ANCE MUST BE MET WITHIN THE SPACE WHERE IT
WILL BE INSTALLED. VENTILATION IS ESSENTIAL
WHEN USING A SOLID FUEL BURNING HEATER.
In well insulated and weather tight homes, it may be diffi-
cult to establish a good draft up the chimney (caused by
a shortage of air in the home). The lack of air is caused
by many common household appliances which exhaust
air from the home (such as a furnace, heat pump, air
conditioner, clothes dryer, exhaust fans, fireplaces, and
other fuel burning appliances). Also, the combustion pro-
cess of this heater uses oxygen from inside the dwelling.
If the available fresh air delivery in the dwelling is insuffi-
cient to support the demands of these appliances, prob-
lems can result (i.e. excessive negative pressure can
develop in the dwelling which will affect the rate at which
this appliance can draft thus resulting in performance
problems; See Draft Requirements on this page). To cor-
rect this problem it may help to open a window (prefera-
bly on the windward side of the house) or install a vent to
provide make-up air into the dwelling.