PRODUCT
TYPE
What is a 'direct vent' fireplace?
Direct vents are high efficiency, sealed gas fireplace systems.
Fresh air is pulled from the exterior of the house via the flue
and burned within the confines of the combustion chamber. By products
of combustion are isolated from the home as they exit to the outside.
These fireplaces can be vented horizontally (to an outside wall)
or vertically (at the roof) and will minimize heat loss through
the chimney--yielding an average 70% efficiency through dry convection
and radiant heat. A sealed Martin Hearth & Heating direct vent
fireplace system will not spill or back draft byproducts of combustion
into the living space and are approved for bedrooms or baths.
What is a "Vent-Free" gas fireplace?
"Vent-free" fireplace systems are designed for maximum efficiency
and require no flue. Highly efficient burners provide clean heat
directly to your home and will not produce harmful levels of unburned
combustion byproducts. All vent-free fireplaces are AGA/CSA approved
and equipped with an ODS or oxygen depletion sensor. These require
sufficient combustion air and should be located to areas spacious
enough as not to become too warm. Martin Hearth & Heating vent-free
fireplaces are not approved for baths, and bedroom units are limited
to 10,000 Btušs. Each firebox is a complete unit with built- in
engine, and log set included.
What is a "Vent-Free" gas log set?
"Vent-free" gas log sets are designed for maximum efficiency and
are easily installed to existing wood burning fireplaces or to
approved universal fireplaces. All Martin Hearth & Heating log
sets are CSA approved to allow you to close your fireplace damper
for clean heat directly to your home. These appliances are equipped
with an ODS or oxygen depletion sensor. Martin Hearth & Heating
log sets require sufficient combustion air and should be located
to areas spacious enough as not to become too warm. Martin Hearth
& Heating Vent-Free log sets are not approved for baths and bedrooms.
What is a "Universal" fireplace?
A universal fireplace is a factory-built, zero clearance firebox
that is specifically designed for vent-free gas log sets. Unlike
a vent-free fireplace system, the unit does not come from the
factory with a burner assembly and logs pre-installed. Log sets
are purchased separately. These fireplaces are installed without
chimney and thus incompatible for solid fuels or vented (decorative)
gas appliances, which produce harmful levels of unburned combustion
byproducts. Martin Hearth & Heating manufactures models: VF32R,
VF36R, VF36, VF42R, VF42 and EVB. We also have a Designer Series,
multi-sided fireplace.
What is a "Vent-Free" gas insert?
Martin’s vent-free ISD insert has been approved to be installed
to existing masonry or factory-built fireplaces (which must be
approved for inserts by its manufacturer). It does not require
any type of vent and is best suited for those who desire vent-free
and want a blower. The unit comes with optional surrounds and
can be installed to fireplaces that have sustained cosmetic damage.
Martin Hearth & Heating inserts are CSA approved and equipped
with an ODS or oxygen depletion sensor. These appliances require
sufficient combustion air and should be located to areas spacious
enough as not to become too warm. These are not approved for baths
or bedrooms
What is a "vented" gas log set?
Martin Hearth & Heating "Vented" log sets are designed for realism
and beauty and carry the CSA approval as decorative gas appliances.
These burners produce large flames for enhanced aesthetic appeal
with radiant heat and fit easily into existing full masonry and
factory-built wood burning fireplaces. Combustion air is supplied
primarily from the home or room and byproducts of combustion are
carried outside via the chimney. Vented logs should always be
installed in fully functioning fireplaces that will not back draft
or spill to the home. Most jurisdictions approve these for baths
and bedrooms, provided there is enough combustion air. Check your
local building codes.
What is a "B-Vent" fireplace?
Sometimes called "naturally vented", a "B-Vent" is a traditional
gas fireplace designed to emulate the wood-burning hearth. It
carries the CSA approval as a decorative appliance and takes its
name from the use of ’class B’ chimney, commonly used
with other vented gas appliances. Combustion air is drawn from
the home and exhausted at the roof only. Glass doors or panels
are sometimes used, but the glass is loose, i.e., not sealed to
the combustion chamber. While Martin Hearth & Heating B-Vents
are designed to provide some radiant heat, they will carry furnace-heated
air up the flue. Most jurisdictions approve these for bedrooms
or baths. An outside air kit is required.
What does "zero clearance" mean?
Zero clearance means zero or no clearances are required to combustible
materials, primarily at the framing or "rough-in" stage of installation.
All Martin Hearth & Heating factory-built fireplaces can be installed
directly on a wood or combustible surface, i.e., sub floor. Factory-built
fireplaces will often have standoffs or "tents" attached to the
top. These are not to be removed and serve to keep framing members
at the proper distance from the firebox. When finishing the fireplace,
drywall and other combustibles may come to the edge, but not overlap
the black- painted metal face of the unit.
Do Martin appliances come in LP gas?
Yes, Martin gas appliances are available as either LP (Liquid
Propane) or Natural Gas, with the exception of the DNF, which
is available in Natural Gas only.
What is the "2 in 1 Flex Face System?"
Martin’s 2 in 1 Flex Face system allows easy conversion of
a new fireplace from circulating to radiant with the installation
of a radiant plate. The same fireplace is approved for a blower
and louvers, or to have noncombustible materials placed over the
radiant plates and black painted metal face. Not all systems utilize
the flex face design.
What is the "CSA?"
The CSA is the Canadian Standards Association. They have the responsibility
of certifying gas appliances to listed ANSI (American National
Standards Institute) standards. They are a nationally recognized
testing laboratory. Martin Hearth & Heating uses CSA to certify
products.
What are "ANSI" standards?
The American National Standards Institute maintains strict national
safety standards for gas appliances. These standards are updated
constantly to provide for product safety and performance, based
on the latest technology.
How does an ODS work?
An Oxygen Detection safety-Pilot (ODS) system reacts to a decrease
in a room's oxygen supply in a manner that shuts off the gas supply
to the appliance. The gas pilot burns normally when it is exposed
to normal air. In the rare case when the oxygen level in a room
starts to drop to an 18-18.5 percent level, the pilot flame lifts
off of the thermocouple, which causes the gas valve to close.
In other words, it shuts off the gas supply and "fails safe."
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OPERATION/MAINTENANCE
Should I use my gas fireplace or logs
to heat my home?
No, it is best to heat your entire house with your home's primary
heating system or furnace. While Martin’s direct vent systems
are A.F.U.E. heater-rated and our vent free units are design certified
as a supplemental heat, both appliances have limited Btu’s,
and can not move large volumes of air throughout the entire house.
Both are best suited to supplement the home’s system by heating
limited areas within the house. They should only be used as a
primary heat source in a power outage.
What are Btu's?
British thermal units, "Btu’s" represent the heat value of
the gas fuel used to create heat. BTU values are determined by
the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one
pound of water, by one degree Fahrenheit
How much heat do we need from our fireplace?
A prospective gas appliance can be properly sized or "qualified"
to your home based on many variables. Some, but not all of them,
would be the size of the area, measured in cubic feet. How tight
is the home? How cold is your climate? Is your home well insulated?
Are you locating to a basement, or cooler area? Are there vaulted
ceilings and ceiling fans and so on. Many variables may determining
the correct amount of heat for an area or new home and your Martin
Hearth & Heating dealer can work with you, firsthand, to properly
size the appliance
Are gas appliances safe?
Yes. Martin Hearth & Heating burner assemblies incorporate standing
pilots that will shut off gas to the burner, should the pilot
extinguish. Every Martin Hearth & Heating gas fireplaces is AGA/CGA
design certified. All fireplace burner assemblies are burn tested
at our state-of-the-art factory.
What happens if I lose electricity?
Gas fireplaces with standing pilots will still operate during
a power outage. Blowers will not operate in an outage. Millivolt
control switches, i.e. remote controls, wall thermostats, wall
switch kits and the on/off rocker switch will turn your fireplace
on during a power outage.
What is a "Safety Pilot?"
A Safety pilot is a standing pilot or small burner, designed to
ignite the gas from the main burners, but also to shut off the
burners, in the event the pilot should extinguish
Is it OK to shut the pilot off in the summer?
Yes. Shutting off the pilot off in the summer saves gas. It will
also reduce the buildup of dust, which can cause pilots to fail.
All gas appliances should be serviced on a regular basis, which
makes summer a good time to have everything, including the pilot,
thoroughly cleaned and checked. My pilot flame is yellow and the
appliance shuts off. Your pilot needs servicing because it is
dirty. Qualified technicians or the dealer from whom you purchased
the unit should perform Service. Do not attempt to service the
unit yourself.
What size tank should I use for my
LP appliance?
We require using at least a one hundred-Gallon or larger tank.
Do not use a twenty-pound cylinder. Undersized tanks are known
to cause problems during extreme cold conditions
How often do I have to clean the gas
appliance or vent?
Martin Hearth & Heating recommends service a minimum of once a
year, although servicing and maintenance will depend on use and
the type of installation. Be sure to employ a qualified service
technician. We recommend the late summer or beginning of each
heating season as the best time to schedule service. Do not attempt
to service the unit yourself.
My mantle is too warm to the touch.
Is this a fire hazard?
No, when installed properly, ANSI standards allow the surrounding
combustibles, i.e. mantles, walls, ceilings to reach 117 degrees
above ambient (room) temperature. A room at 74 degrees may have
the mantle (or any other adjacent combustible) as warm as 191
degrees. That surfaces are too hot to the touch is not an accurate
means of determining a fire hazard.
Do vent-free appliances produce moisture?
Natural gas and Propane produce water when burnt. Vent-free appliances
are no different-- producing about 1 quart per hour. Normally,
moist heat does not cause a problem. However, very small, tightly
constructed homes may experience problems where appliances are
oversized. You may need to provide mechanical ventilation if your
home is extremely tight, has poor circulation or problems with
mold or mildew. You might consider installing a direct vent fireplace,
which produces dry heat.
My pilot will not stay lit on my unit?
We recommend the following be serviced by a qualified gas appliance
technician. Check flame and color-Should be solid blue, stable
on barrel, and envelop thermocouple/thermopile tip. Clean primary
air intake. Will collect dirt, dust, and dander Remove pilot line
and clean off debris with a can of compressed air in the direction
of gas flow, do not backflush. Check for loose thermocouple connection
at valve-could also be corroded. Check Thermocouple output, should
read between 15-20 millivolts. On vented MV: check Thermopile
output, should read between 350-500 millivolts. On vented: check
adjustment screw.
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INSTALLATION
Can a blower be installed to my fireplace?
Yes. Blowers can be installed on all Martin Hearth & Heating fireplace
systems with the exception of our ISD inserts, where the blower
is standard, and our radiant-faced B-vent fireplaces, which do
not except a blower. They can be factory or field installed. To
field install a blower, 110 v AC should be connected to the fireplace
junction box at installation. Making this connection after the
fireplace has been installed can be more difficult. Radiant plates
must not be used with blowers.
Who should install my new gas log set
or fireplace system?
Because installations require breaking or connecting gas lines,
and the use of specialized equipment, only your dealer or licensed
contractors can install your gas appliance.
What is a footprint?
The footprint refers to the size of a set of gas logs and the
minimum area required for installation. This is found in literature
and installation manuals. To know what sized logs you can install
to your fireplace, you’ll need to measure your fireplace
width at the front and the back; and the depth of the fireplace
in question. You’ll also want to know the height at the opening,
although, this specification almost never poses a problem.
How far can the thermostat or wall switch be from the unit?
A wall mounted thermostat or switch should be run no more than
40 feet when using 18 gauge a relatively thin wire. Longer runs
than 40 feet increase resistance, impairing the operation of the
control valve. Longer runs need a thicker gauge of wire. 41-64’
runs: 16 gauge. 65-100’ runs: 14 gauge. 101-150’ runs:
12 gauge
Does a direct vent need to be on an outside wall?
No, Martin’s direct vent fireplaces can be terminated on
an outside wall (horizontally) or at the roof (vertically).
Are fireplaces approved for bedrooms
or baths?
Check with your local jurisdiction. Direct vent models are approved
for baths or bedrooms. Most allow the installation of a vent free
gas fireplace to a sleeping room as long as it is 10,000 BTUs,
or less. Bedrooms with vent frees must have sufficient combustion
air and should be spacious enough so as not to become too warm.
Martin Hearth & Heating does not manufacture a bathroom vent free.
Are Vent Free appliances approved for mobile homes?
Martin Hearth & Heating Appliances are approved for installation
in manufactured mobile homes by the homeowner. Check your local
codes.
What is "sufficient combustion air?"
With the exception of direct vents, all gas appliances must have
enough air to support combustion. Toward that end, the appliances
must be installed to an "unconfined space." This is an area of
a minimum 50 cubic feet, or more, per 1000 Btu’s for all
the gas appliances to be installed to that area. See your Martin
Hearth & Heating dealer when sizing your home for a new gas appliance.
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ACCESSORIES
Are Gas Conversion Kits available?
All current Martin Hearth & Heating model Direct Vent fireplaces
have conversion kits available. Conversion kits are not available
for vent free models.
What controls are available for Martin Hearth & Heating hearth
products?
Martin Hearth & Heating millivolt units can be installed with
either manual or thermostat hand-held remote controls. We also
offer wall-mounted switch kits and conventional wall-mounted thermostats
Can a remote control and wall thermostat be used on the same appliance?
Martin Hearth & Heating millivolt controlled units can be installed
with both remote and wall thermostat installed to the same unit.
Each of these switches is wired in parallel to the on/off rocker
switch. As a rule, homeowners will opt for one or the other. Please
consult with your dealer.
Will a blower promote heat transfer
from a fireplace?
Yes, blowers increase the airflow across the sides and top of
the firebox inner chamber. Blowers with thermal switches will
actually cool these surfaces while operating; the surfaces will
heat up again in the off cycle. A blower assembly without a thermal
switch will facilitate the transfer of heat from the hot surfaces
to the surrounding air.
What is a "BTS" or Blower Termal Sensor?"
The BTS allows Martin Hearth & Heating blower-equipped fireplaces
to cycle on and off, depending upon the temperature of the firebox
inner chamber. Available as a factory or field-installed option,
homeowners are saved the trouble of having to manually control
the blower at the wall or fireplace. ISD inserts come with this
feature as standard.
Do blowers have a variable control?
Yes, all Martin Hearth & Heating blowers come standard with a
reostat or variable control switch. A reostat allows homeowners
to set the blower to any speed with the turn of a dial.
Are hoods (canopies) recommended for all products?
Hoods are recommended for Vent-frees and Direct vents, which are
approved as heating appliances. Canopies will protect combustible
materials above and close to the fireplace opening. See your dealer
or the installation manual for clearances to mantles and trim.
Decorative appliances, such as vented logs and class B-Vents fireplaces,
do not need hoods.
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