8
(d)
Do not attempt to relight the fire until the cause of
the fume emission has been identified and
corrected. If necessary seek expert advice.
The most common cause of fume emission is flueway
or chimney blockage. For your own safety these must
be kept clean at all times.
If a fire occurs in the chimney, immediately close the air
regulator wheel and air wash to cut off the fire's oxygen
supply. Evacuate the building and call the fire services;
do not use the stove until it has been certified safe by a
qualified HETAS engineer, any necessary repairs have
been made, and the chimney has been swept.
If smoke collects inside the building, close the air
regulator wheel and air wash. Open windows and doors
to allow the smoke to escape. Do not use the stove until
the source of the problem has been repaired.
Fuel quality
Poor quality fuel can lead problems lighting the stove or
maintaining a steady burning rate, poor flame with
excess smoke, excess dirt build-up, or staining, on the
glass and inside the combustion chamber, and reduced
life spans for the internal components, such as fire
bricks and bottom grate.
When burning wood, in addition to the above, wet fuel
may cause excess creosote build-up in the flue and
discoloured chimney smoke.
Flue draught
The flue must operate under pressure—that is, there
should be a constant "pull" up the chimney to allow the
hot flue gases to escape safely. The flue draught can
be affected by structures that are too close to the flue
termination, extreme winds extreme temperatures,
incorrect combustion air, a blocked flue or incorrectly-
sized flue. Ensure the required ventilation openings are
kept permanently free of obstructions.
If fuel consumption is too high or overheating occurs,
these may be caused by excessive flue draught. If the
fire will not light or maintain a steady burning rate, if the
heat output is too low, or smoke remains in the
combustion chamber, these may be caused by
inadequate flue draught.
Blow-back
Blow-back—small explosions that force air through the
fire door seals or air controls—is caused by inadequate
combustion air; for example, if the door is closed too
early or the air regulator wheel and air wash are not
open wide enough after adding new fuel.
CO Alarm
Your installer should have fitted a CO alarm in the
same room as the appliance. If the alarm sounds
unexpectedly, follow the instructions given under
the section above “WARNING NOTE.”
MAINTENANCE
Before cleaning the stove, ensure it has fully cooled.
Routine maintenance can be carried out by the end
user. The throat plate should be removed and cleaned
monthly. The flue pipe can be cleaned by using a
flexible brush. Only use a damp sponge for external
surfaces. Over time, the fire door glass may become
dirty; to clean, wipe with a damp cloth and polish with a
dry one.
The chimney should be swept at least once a year for
smokeless fuels and a minimum of twice a year for
bituminous coal, wood or any other non-
authorised/smokey fuel.
Where the chimney is believed to have served an open
fire installation it is possible that the higher flue gas
temperature from a closed appliance may loosen
deposits that were previously firmly adhered, with the
consequent risk of flue blockage. It is therefore
recommended that the chimney be swept a second
time within a month of regular use after installation.
The stove should be fully serviced and the chimney
swept on an annual basis by qualified engineers.
It may eventually become necessary to re-coat the matt
black external surfaces of the stove; always use a paint
or spray specifically designed to withstand high
temperatures.
The ideal time for servicing is just after the end of the
heating season, as the stove will not be in use. While
dormant, the stove should be emptied of ash and fuel,
and left with the air regulator wheel and air wash open;
this will help prevent condensation build up, which can
reduce the stove's life expectancy. The interior can be
sprayed with anti-corrosion treatment—e.g. WD40—to
provide further protection.
After a prolonged shutdown, the flue should be checked
for blockages before use.
Do not modify the appliance; only use spares
authorised by the manufacturer.
