JC BORDELET LEA 998 CFF, Installation, Maintenance And Operation Manual

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2.3.7 Combustion Settings
Accelerated Combustion:
The maximum heat output for the Lea 998 fireplace is achieved with the combustion air control fully
opened. By this method, the fireplace can produce a maximum heat output of 46,000 BTU/hr with 2
large or 3 medium size pieces of wood (Max.9kg/20 lbs). However, it will be necessary to reload with
wood every 2-3 hours. Use caution when firing with the combustion air control fully open. Only burn
cordwood in this manner. Small dry pieces of softwood will burn very intensely using this method
and may damage the fireplace or Vitroceram glass doors and glass fixed panels.
Medium Combustion:
This is the recommended mode for operating the Lea 998 fireplace and should be the one normally
used since it will deposit the least amount of creosote on the glass doors and fixed panels and in the
chimney. The combustion air control should be set to half-open as a starting point. The most efficient
setting will vary depending on many factors including chimney length and the moisture content of the
wood. For instance, a longer chimney will necessitate adjusting the combustion air control between
quarter open to half-open to obtain proper combustion. Two large or three medium size pieces of
firewood (Max.9kg /20 lbs) should be burning over a bed of hot coals. The heat output will be
approximately 20,000 BTU/hr and the reloading time will be about every 3-4 hours. Softwoods may be
burned using this method but the reloading intervals will be shorter.
Slow Combustion: (Not Recommended)
When the air combustion control is nearly closed, the fireplace is in a slow combustion phase. If the
heart is hot enough, slow combustion will not stop the fire, but there will be a noticeable change in
the flame pattern. The flames will be slow and may appear dirty if the wood is too wet (moisture
content of 20% and more). This method of operation is not recommended and will produce excessive
creosote in the fireplace, smoke pipe and chimney. Creosote may also accumulate on the glass
doors and fixed glass panels.
2.3.8 The Use of Composite Ecological Logs
Ecological logs made of 100% wood residues do not pose a threat to your fireplace. However, they
must be used carefully. Ecological logs typically release a much larger heat output over a short
period of time and it is not possible to place a large quantity of such logs into the fireplace. At
medium setting, one 1.37Kg (3 lbs) ecological fire log gives off 7,700 btu/hr over a 3-4 hour burn
period, for safety, only load a maximum of five fire logs (Max. 6.8kg/15 lbs) into the LEA 998.
WARNING: Use only ecological logs meeting the requirements of ULC/ORD-C127-M1990, Composite
Fire logs. Prior to use, refer to the fire log warning and cautions as indicated on the packaging. Do
not poke or stir ecological fire logs while they are burning. Burning more than of five fire logs ( Max.
6.8kg (15 lbs) of fire logs at one time can overheat and damage the LEA fireplace and chimney.
2.3.9 Smoking - Causes and Troubleshooting
Your fireplace has been designed and tested to provide smoke free operation. To reduce the
likelihood of smoking when opening the doors, set the combustion air controls to full open before
opening the doors. Occasionally, there may be a small amount of smoking upon lighting the fire, until
the chimney heats up but this should not continue. If the fireplace continues to smoke it is probably
for one of the following reasons:
A. Negative pressure in the house: As the fire burns, air is needed to support combustion and the
products of combustion go up the chimney. If there is an insufficient replenishment of combustion air
through leakage into the house, the fireplace will start to smoke. To temporarily create a combustion
air supply, open a window nearby, if this eliminates the smoke, the house is under negative pressure.
This can be corrected by installing an Outside Combustion Air intake. Call a contractor to install an
Outside Combustion Air intake of 100 mm (4”) in diam. with a maximum length of 4 m (13’-1/8’’). If a
longer length is needed, go to a 155mm (6”) pipe up to max. length of 6 m ( 20’) .
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