Information on Inserting Desa Fireplaces

Venting

• Never attach a Desa’s Vanguard fireplace venting system to a chimney that services another type of fuel-burning appliance. Desa warns also that the venting pipes require a minimum amount of clearance between them and combustible material. Horizontal sections of pipe require a minimum of 2 inches of clearance from the top of the pipe and 1 inch of clearance along the sides and bottoms of the pipes. Vertical sections require a minimum of 1 inch of clearance on all sides.

  It’s important to know that a Desa fireplace insert requires a venting system that has a minimum 3-inch rise and that passes through a wall no more than 10 inches thick. The maximum run for horizontal vent pipes is 20 inches with an 8-inch vertical rise. Vertical runs may carry for up to 30 inches. These restrictions are in place to ensure that the venting system of your Desa insert maintains the proper balance between combustion air intake and flue gas exhaust.

Insert Location Considerations

• Before installing a Desa fireplace, ensure that you’ve selected the safest and most efficient operating location. Rafters and wall studs must not obstruct the venting system in any way. Installing your fireplace in room with drafts, air ducts, windows or doors may affect its heating efficiency. Also avoid installing your fireplace insert directly on carpeting, vinyl or any other combustible material other than wood. In these situations, a metal or wood panel that extends the full width and depth of the fireplace insert must be installed beforehand and the fireplace then inserted on top of that material. Desa recommends that when selecting the location of your fireplace insert, you do not choose an area near furniture or draperies or where there is a lot of traffic, because the fireplace can reach extremely high temperatures and may damage furniture or may cause severe burns if accidentally touched.

Fireplace Clearances

• The sides and back of the insert may be placed directly next to framing or walls, but, according to Desa, other parts of your fireplace insert require minimum clearances from combustible material such as draperies and furniture. Make sure there is a clearance of at least 42 inches from the ceiling to the louver opening on your insert. The front also requires at least 36 inches from combustible materials. You may install mantles made of noncombustible material at any height above your fireplace insert.

Gas Line Connection

• In most regions a qualified service person must connect your fireplace to the gas supply. Check with local code before doing this installation yourself. Never connect propane or liquid propane directly to your fireplace. Desa fireplace inserts require an external regulator, which is not supplied with the fireplace. Typically, your gas provider will provide flexible gas line when it installs the lines from the manual shutoff valve to the fireplace, but a 45 degree flare union gas connector is also necessary to connect the line to the supply and then to the gas regulator on your fireplace. A qualified technician can ensure that all gas connections are properly installed to avoid gas leaks or fire.