MHSC B36LA8 Installation, Operation And Maintenance Manual Download Page 28

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87D0176

B36LA8 & B36RA8 Woodburning Fireplaces

FIREPLACE OPERATION

WARNING:

  If a decorative gas appliance is used in the 

fireplace the fireplace damper must be fixed in an open 
position.  (See additional operation information in section 
titled “Operation Guidelines”.)

Which Woods Are Best?

Each  wood  species  offers  something  different  in  aroma 
or heat value, and you should consider your needs and 
desires  before  building  your  fire.  Softwoods,  like  pine, 
spruce, and fir are easy to ignite because they are res-
inous.    However,  a  fire  built  entirely  of  softwoods  burns 
out  quickly  and  requires  frequent  replenishment.    While 
a softwood fire is not too desirable for a long evening, it’s 
fine in the morning when you want quick warmth, or late in 
the evening when you want a fire that will burn out before 
you go to bed.On occasion when a longer fire is desired, 
it’s best to combine softwoods with the heavier hardwoods 
such as ash, beech, birch, maple, oak and hickory.  These 
hardwood species burn less rapidly, with shorter flames, 
and produce steady, glowing coals. For the most pleasing 
aroma,  you’ll  want  to  burn  the  wood  of  fruit  trees  such 
as apple and cherry, or nut trees such as beech, hickory 
and pecan.  Such wood is generally more expensive, but 
a little combined with other wood, goes a long way.  Start 
your fire with a mixture of softwood and hardwood, then 
add  some  fruit  or  nut  wood  for  nostalgic  aroma.    Since 
most woods will not burn well when freshly cut, the wood 
you purchase should be reasonably dry.  The sizes you 
buy are dictated by the size of your fireplace. Purchase 
logs that will fit when laid across your grate, and ask that 
the larger, heavier logs be split. Kindling should be short, 
easily split lengths of softwood, lumber yard or mill scraps, 
or twigs and branches gathered from your yard.

How To Build A Better Fire

The first three fires should be of moderate size to allow 
the fireplace to adjust and the bricks to cure before be-
ing subjected to larger fires. First, make sure your room 
is well ventilated, your damper open and the flue is un-
obstructed. Then  make  sure  your  wood  is  dry  and  sea-
soned. Unseasoned wood burns poorly and coupled with 
poor ventilation or an obstructed chimney, leads to smok-
ing problems.If your fireplace is equipped with an outside 
combustion air assembly, open the combustion air inlet by 
pushing upward on the lever located above the firebrick 
on the left side of the firebox.

NEVER USE GASOLINE, GASOLINE-TYPE LANTERN 
FUEL, KEROSENE, CHARCOAL LIGHTER FLUID, OR 
SIMILAR  LIQUIDS  TO  START  OR  “FRESHEN  UP”  A 
FIRE IN THIS FIREPLACE.  KEEP ALL SUCH LIQUIDS 
WELL AWAY FROM THE FIREPLACE WHILE IT IS IN 
USE.    USE  OF  THIS  FUEL  CAN  CAUSE A  SERIOUS 
EXPLOSION.

Prepare your fire by placing two logs on the iron grate or 
fire basket, and laying the tinder between them.  Tinder 
may be dry scrap paper, twigs, or bark.  On top place a 
small  handful  of  twigs  or  split  softwood  kindling.    Place 
more dry logs over this base.  Keep logs close together, 
as narrow air spaces between them promote better drafts, 
and heat reflected between adjacent surfaces aids in rais-
ing and maintaining combustion temperatures.  
You’ll  need  a  minimum  of  three  logs,  preferably  four,  to 
make a good fire.  Add kindling and new logs as needed 
to rekindle a dying fire.  New logs should be added at the 
rear grate after raking the coals toward the front.  

DO NOT 

OVERFIRE THE FIREPLACE.

  Overfire conditions may 

be created by large amounts of kindling, building scraps, 
or other improper fuels.
Ashes,  important  because  they  form  a  bed  of  glowing 
coals, should only be left to accumulate within an inch or 
two of the bottom of the grate.  Excess ashes can be used 
to check a flaming fire; or to  “bank” your fire, cover the 
logs with ashes.  A “banked” fire will hold glowing coals for 
8-10 hours, thereby saving a fire for later use.

Wood vs. Fossil Fuels

Compared to fossil fuels, a full cord of dry hickory weighs 
about  two  tons  and  is  approximately  equal  in  heating 
value  to  a  ton  of  hard  coal.    On  a  pound  basis,  heavy 
hardwoods have about half the heating value of coal.  The 
tabulation  shows  the  relative  densities  and  heat  values 
of a variety of dry woods.  Varieties at the top of the list 
(Dogwood) burn longer and those near the bottom (White 
Pine) ignite and burn quicker.  A combination of both light 
and heavy wood is desired.

Species 

Density 

Heat Value

Dogwood 

.70-.79 

100-107

Hickory 

.70-.74 

100

Oak 

.60-.73 

86-99

Black Locust 

.69-.70 

95-98

Beech 

.64-.66 

89-91

Hard Maple 

.58-.65 

83-88

Birch 

.55-.64 

79-86

Apple 

.58-.62 

83-84

Ash 

.57-.61 

81-82

Southern Pine 

.51-.60 

73-81

Elm 

.50-.59 

71-80

Cherry 

.50-.52 

70

Douglas Fir 

.45-.51 

64-69

Spruce 

.41-.44 

59

Redwood 

.33-.40 

47-54

White Pine 

.35-.37 

50

Summary of Contents for B36LA8

Page 1: ...r Residential Installation 36 Built in Wood Burning Corner Fireplace with Optional Outside Air and Glass Doors WARNING This fireplace has not been tested with an unvented gas log set To reduce risk of...

Page 2: ...installation you should check with local building officials to obtain required permits and assure compliance with local regulations and coded If you encounter problems with code requirements contact...

Page 3: ...ed for supplemental heating only and is not intended for use as a primary heating system The fireplace is designed to sit directly on a combustible floor The fireplace must be installed with clearance...

Page 4: ...the precautions and recommendations in the section of this manual pertaining to outside combustion air assembly The fireplace is also equipped with a flue damper which must be open when the fireplace...

Page 5: ...provides for the installation of the model LF FS 2 firestop spacer in a residential installation Since the pitch of the roof influences the opening size required at the roof level table 1 should be u...

Page 6: ...himney 1Z x Min Air space Clear ance to Combustibles Chimney Section SK81 1 ft pipe SK818 18 pipe SK83 3 ft pipe SK84 4 ft pipe Top Spacer Zero Clearance to Combustibles at Side Spacers Glass Doors Mo...

Page 7: ...Model I658 Clearance from Fireplace Opening to Sidewall When Wall Shield is not Used B36RA8 Hearth Extension Model I627 Hearth Extension Model I658 Minimum Clearance from Fireplace Opening to Sidewal...

Page 8: ...hearth extension and the face of the fireplace To help prevent the crack from developing the hearth extension materials must be firmly fastened in place Wall ties should be screwed to the face of the...

Page 9: ...yramid style chimney cap used to terminate chimney through a chase Includes adapter Flashing not included CF8CA Adapter kit Unites square termination with chimney pipe 202036 Housing extensions Extend...

Page 10: ...3 Min Storm Collar Flashing Roof Joist Shields Attic Space Refer to Table 1 for Roof Opening Size FS Firestop Spacer 14Z x x 14Z x Framed Opening 1Z x Clearance to Com bustibles with Firestop SK8 Seri...

Page 11: ...tional for cold climate not a requirement for unit op eration Termination Cap Storm Collar Pan Flashing Draftstop Top Spacer Surround Screen Firebox Metal Safety Strips 1 2 or 3 pieces Nailing Flange...

Page 12: ...oist 1Z x Clear ance to Combus tibles When Using Firestop Max Installation Height 86 14Z x Square Hole in Joist 1Z x Min Air Space Clear ance Between Chimney and combustibles Firestop Spacer Firestop...

Page 13: ...arances as specified by this in struction manual 3 Set the fireplace in the desired location and be sure it is securely supported and leveled Install metal safety strip for hearth extension as shown b...

Page 14: ...eplace Model C36RMA B36RA8 with RLK Louver kit WB36LR Glass Door and OAC6 Combustion Air Model C36LMA not shown same as above except uses LLK Louver Kit on the B36LA8 fireplace Cool Air Inlet WB36LR G...

Page 15: ...ge to the chimney 4 Install firestop spacers at each ceiling level 5 Install the proper chimney cap or chimney housing on the chimney to prevent the entry of rain and debris into the chimney and to as...

Page 16: ...to the chimney exit B36LA8 B36RA8 Maximum 90 0 Minimum Without Elbows 15 6 With 2 Elbows 17 6 With 4 Elbows 21 0 B Do not use more than 4 elbows per chimney Attach the straps of the return top elbow t...

Page 17: ...lace may be used 6 A guy wire stabilizer is required for chimneys extend ing more than 6 1 8 m above a roof line The Ten Foot Rule Major U S building codes specify a minimum chimney height above the r...

Page 18: ...hase it is also a good idea to install a firestop at the first ceiling level above the fireplace and enclose the chase with sheeting material Insulation may then be installed above sheet ing material...

Page 19: ...size of the hole in ceiling will vary with the angle at which the chimney passes through ceiling Drive a nail up through ceiling at marked chimney center point Go to floor above and see where hole wil...

Page 20: ...is used to keep pipe spaced properly and required for safety Nail the firestop spacer at each corner to the framing members of the ceiling hole Note A firestop spacer is not required at the roof Hole...

Page 21: ...chimney termina tion installed Refer to installation instructions provided with the chimney termination to find correct size of roof hole There must be an air space 1 38 mm with SK8 between outermost...

Page 22: ...E Firestop Spacer 14Z x x 14Z x Maximum four 4 elbows Per Fire place Offset Max 10 Support Straps Diagonal Chimney Enclosure Vertical Chimney Enclosure Recommended Diagonal Chimney Enclosure Acceptabl...

Page 23: ...an exterior location which is not likely to be accidentally blocked in any manner The assembly should be located above the snow line to prevent blockage by snow accumulation 3 The combustion air inlet...

Page 24: ...e fireplace with the four 4 sheet metal screws provided Figure 24 3 Cut a 6 diameter opening for model OAC4 in the out side wall covering where the model OAC4 outside grille is to be located Figure 26...

Page 25: ...sions on the fireplace The following instructions only apply to passing the gas line through the fireplace wall Follow the instructions provided by the appliance for the gas line testing and ad justin...

Page 26: ...is manual Page 13 Figure 10 Combustible mantels and trim must be installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association ANSI NFPA 211 Standard Section 7 2 3 3 Glass Door Installation Th...

Page 27: ...rer Recommendation Top Edge of Fireplace Opening Mantel Installation Do Not Install Combustible Facing Material Below Top Edge of Fireplace Air Inlet Opening CAUTION Never block bottom air inlet openi...

Page 28: ...blems If your fireplace is equipped with an outside combustion air assembly open the combustion air inlet by pushing upward on the lever located above the firebrick on the left side of the firebox NEV...

Page 29: ...ced on a noncombustible floor or on the ground well away from all combustible materials pending final disposal If the ashes are disposed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed they should...

Page 30: ...the chimney 9 Do install firestop spacers at each ceiling level when the chimney is installed in a multistory building 10 Do install the proper chimney cap or chimney housing on the chimney to preven...

Page 31: ...larly 21 Don t operate the fireplace with the glass fire screen doors partially open The doors should always be fully open or fully closed 22 Don t use gasoline kerosene engine oil or charcoal lighte...

Page 32: ...Y 40361 www mhsc com Item Description Qty B36RA8 B36LA8 1 Retainer Side Brick 1 020270 020270 2 Retainer 2 Z19901 Z19901 3a Firebrick Side Assy Right 1 014012 3b Firebrick Side Assy Left 1 021663 4 Ro...

Page 33: ...87D0176 33 B36LA8 B36RA8 Woodburning Fireplaces...

Page 34: ...34 87D0176 B36LA8 B36RA8 Woodburning Fireplaces...

Page 35: ...your local building code contains restrictions on the use of this fireplace before you purchase it Blowers or fans which are warranted separately Heat loss due to the passage of heat or air through o...

Page 36: ...MHSC 149 Cleveland Drive Paris Kentucky 40361 www mhsc com...

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