OPUS TRIO 5kW Wood Burning Stove User Manual
- June 12, 2024
- OPUS
Table of Contents
- Delivery
- Disposal of packaging
- Assembly instructions
- The Clean Air Act 1993 and Smoke Control Areas
- Introduction
- Description
- Installation
- Technical specifications
- Advice on fitting suitable alarms
- General information about the working of the stove
- Malfunction and service
- Troubleshooting
- Commissioning checklist
- Warranty
- Fiche
- Dataplate
- Energy Label
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUAL
OPUS TRIO
Delivery
As soon as it is delivered, the stove must be carefully inspected and any
damage must be noted on the delivery note. Afterwards the damage must be
reported immediately to the the retailer.
When transporting the stove you must ensure that only safe, strong and
approved carrying methods are used. The stove may only be moved in a stable,
standing position or slightly inclined on a sack truck. A sack truck should
only be used against the back of the stove. All parts of the stove must be
protected against damage, moisture and rain, or other types of contamination
during transport and installation.
Disposal of packaging
The packaging protects the stove from damage during transportation. Any cardboard packaging materials can be recycled. The wooden parts of the packaging are untreated and can be used as firewood.
Assembly instructions
Your stove should be installed by a qualified, knowledgeable and experienced
installer who is registered under one of the Competent Persons schemes such as
HETAS.
The installer must do a thorough check of the appliance to ensure that it is
in full working order before it is installed.
The Clean Air Act 1993 and Smoke Control Areas
Under the Clean Air Act local authorities may declare the whole or part of the
district of the authority to be a smoke control area. It is an offence to emit
smoke from a chimney of a building, from a furnace or from any fixed boiler if
located in a designated smoke control area. It is also an offence to acquire
an “unauthorised fuel” for use within a smoke control area unless it is used
in an “exempt” appliance (“exempted” from the controls which generally apply
in the smoke control area).
In England appliances are exempted by publication on a list by the Secretary
of State in accordance with changes made to sections 20 and 21 of the Clean
Air Act 1993 by section 15 of the Deregulation Act 2015. Similarly in Scotland
appliances are exempted by
publication on a list by Scottish Ministers under section 50 of the Regulatory
Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.
In Wales and Northern Ireland these are authorised by regulations made by
Welsh Ministers and by the Department of the Environment respectively.
Further information on the requirements of the Clean Air Act can be found
here: https://www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules
Your local authority is responsible for implementing the Clean Air Act 1993
including the designation and supervision of smoke control areas and you can
contact them for details of Clean Air Act requirements”
The Opus Trio SE has been recommended as suitable for use in smoke control
areas when burning wood fuel. These have been factory fitted with a
modification to prevent the secondary air to close beyond 60% open.
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of this Opus stove.
This manual will introduce you to the functions and correct operation of the
stove. It is important that your installer takes you through the operation of
this stove during their handover.
Our guarantee is valid only if the guidelines in this manual are carefully
followed.
Please keep this manual, in order to remind yourself how to operate the stove
before the winter months.
Description
The stove is constructed with welded steel. In the centre is the firebox which
is lined with firebricks.
Beneath the cast iron grate is an ashpan and under that is wood storage. This
stove works on the principle of convection, in which cool air is drawn up from
the floor and warmed between the two outer walls of the stove. This warm air
then spreads around the room.
Installation
i. Basic installation regulations and requirements
Ventilation systems, such as extractor fans, in the same room as the stove
should be avoided where possible, and can adversely affect the function of the
stove.
The stove may only be installed in rooms suitable for such an appliance and
where it can be operated safely and maintained appropriately and may not be
installed in areas in which flammable or explosive substances and mixtures are
processed, which could lead to an ignition or explosion.
Throughout the installation the installer must refer to Document J of the
Building Regulations for detailed guidance on recommended ways of meeting the
building regulation requirements.
ii. The hearth and floor
Before installing the stove, make sure that the floor on which the appliance
is standing has sufficient load capacity. Pay attention to the information on
the weight and, if necessary, ensure a sufficient weight distribution by
utilising an appropriate hearth.
Floors made of combustible material must be protected by a layer of non-
flammable material. This can be done, for example, by tiles or a plate made of
glass or sheet metal at least 12mm thick. The floor and hearth must also be
strong enough to take the weight of the stove, and be completely level and
stable.
Please also observe the necessary measures for the fire protection of the
floor. Further details can be found in Building Regulations Document J.
Please also refer to “Firepower Hearth Guidance” which can be found on the
www.firepower.co.uk website. This gives
recommendations for instances where we recommend that the size of the hearth
is increased over and above the minimum sizes given in the building
regulations, and also contains some suggestions for how you can make a feature
of the hearth.
iii. Minimum distances to combustibles
A 800mm In the area of thermal radiation
B 120mm Back space between the wall and stove
C 640mm Side space between wall and stove
iv. Heat shielding
It is also possible to heat shield combustible materials if the stove must be
installed at a closer distance than specified here. For heat shielding refer
to the guidance detailed below.
For further information on heat-shielding please refer to the “Firepower Heat
Shielding Guide” which can be found on the downloads section of the
www.firepower.co.uk website. This gives in
depth guidance on heat-shielding combustible materials using metal or
Thermalux sheets.
Technical specifications
Stove Model | Trio |
---|---|
Nominal Output | 5.0 kW |
Efficiency | 77.2% (net) |
Weight | 143 kg |
Mean flue gas temperature | 254 ºC |
Flue gas mass flow | 5.3 g/s |
Minimum pressure | 0,12 mbar |
Diameter of flue pipe | 150 mm |
Diameter of the connection to the outdoor air supply | 100mm |
Fuel | Wood |
Average refuelling interval at nominal output | 43 minutes |
i. Removing the self-closing door mechanism
The stove has been built with a self closing door mechanism. This can be
disabled by removing the spring from under the ash pan.
ii. Combustion air supply
The stove needs sufficient combustion air. This can be drawn from the
installation room, which must have a suitable fresh air supply from the
outside. Document J of the Building Regulations provides guidance, including
information on the minimum area of ventilation that must be provided to the
room. Care and consideration should be given to whether there are any
ventilation or extraction systems in the house and when a draught test or
smoke spillage test is done these should be switched on so that the “worst
case“ is tested for. The installer should refer to the HETAS technical notes
and guidance on ventilation.
Relatively little air is required for combustion when the door of the stove is
closed. It is when the door is opened that air rushes up the chimney and there
must be a matching supply of air to the room, otherwise smoke is liable to
escape into the room.
When installing a stove into a modern well-sealed house, or one which has been
extensively upgraded with well-sealed windows and doors, it is likely that
there will not be enough fresh air supply to the room when the door of the
stove is opened. It is also likely that the homeowner will not want to install
a permanent vent to the room because that creates a hole in their well-sealed
house.
If the intention is to connect the stove to a direct air supply duct and not
to install a permanently open vent to the room, or to install an AirSmart
system in its place, then the installer must follow the procedure in Hetas
Technical Note TN_0020 to confirm that the supply of air will be sufficient.
Please also refer to our “Firepower Direct Air Guidance” document which can be
found on the www.firepower.co.uk website.
This gives further consideration as well as mandatory duct sizing information
if a direct air supply duct is being connected to the stove.
iii. AirSmart
Connecting an AirSmart controller and vent is a way to avoid potential
ventilation problems. A door sensor is fitted to the stove and whenever
thedoor is opened the controller opens a sealed vent to the room to supply
extra fresh air. If there is a powercut then the vent is also opened as an
additional safety feature. The AirSmart controller can be a stand-alone unit,
or combined with a full automated stove controller (as pictured) which also
automatically regulates the burning rate of the stove, and adds in additional
safety features. If the intention is to not install a permanently open vent to
the room, or to install an AirSmart system in its place, then the installer
must follow the procedure in Hetas Technical Note TN_0020 to confirm that the
supply of air will be sufficient.
iv. The Chimney
All flue components used must be suitable for solid fuel fires, rated to
T400ºC, and comply with the relevant regulations regarding their construction
and installation and all manufacturers’ instructions must be followed.
Calculation of the chimney design can be done according to EN 13384-1 and EN
13384-2 and/or with reference to Document J of the Building Regulations.
Particular attention must be made in regard to the distance to combustible
materials.
If there is a chamber then it should be closed off above the stove with a
concrete slab, lintels or fireproof stud work.
The following chimney designs are possible:
Brick or block wall chimney: This should be lined with pumice liners (not clay
liners) of the correct diameter and the starter block should be set on the
slab. The stove is then connected to the starter block with an adjustable
length of single skin flue.
Twin wall stainless steel insulated chimney: The hole in the top of the
chamber should be a good fit around the pipe using a fire stop plate.
Stainless steel flexible liner (Class 1 – suitable for solid fuel, either 316
or 904 grade). This is used to re-line an existing Class 1 masonry chimney:
The liner should connect to the appliance via a length of rigid flue at least
500mm long. The liner should be firmly fixed to the chimney wall with a bottom
support bracket or, if that isn’t possible, then every pipe connection,
including the connection to the stove, should be secured with at least two
stainless steel self-tapping screws. The flexible liner should be insulated.
The chimney should be fitted with a cowl or appropriate chimney pot to prevent
rain entry.
Offsets used in the flue run can adversely affect the chimney’s performance.
Any bends used should be the minimum offset possible from the vertical
(maximum permissible is 45 ) and no more than four offsets should be used in
any one system. If bends are used then it may be necessary to increase the
height of the chimney to counteract any detrimental effect they may have on
the chimney draught.
The chimney must be able to maintain a draught of 12 Pascal’s.
Flue termination heights must comply with the requirements of Document J of
the Building Regulations.
Adequate provision must be made so that all internal parts of the chimney can
be cleaned.
This stove is not suitable for use on a shared chimney.
Recommendations:
- Working level of chimney: min. 5 meters
- Maximum diameter of flue 160 mm
- Any existing chimney should be examined by an expert
Advice on fitting suitable alarms
At least one suitable and effective smoke alarm should be fitted in a suitable
location.
Alarms should be mounted on the ceiling at least 300mm from any walls and
within 5 meters of the protected area. This may mean installing more than one
alarm, and it is recommended to choose units that can be linked together. The
smoke alarm should be capable of waking any occupants sleeping. The alarm
should be tested with this in mind before the final fixing is made. The smoke
alarm should be of the optical or photo electrical type since this is
particularly sensitive to dense smoke such as produced from a smouldering
fire. The smoke alarm should be fitted with an extra-long life battery and
have a hush button to allow for temporary deactivation. This should be tested
routinely. A carbon monoxide alarm certified to BS EN 50291 should also be
fitted and, on boats, it should be suitable for marine use.
General information about the working of the stove
Always use a glove
Do not use any flammable liquid fluids for lighting the fire. The door of the
firebox should be opened only when adding fuel, apart from leaving the door
slightly ajar during the lighting phase.
Use only suitable fuels.
Check that there is enough fresh air coming into the room. Stoves should only
be used by adults. All parts of the appliance, especially the external
surfaces will be hot to touch when in operation and due care will need to be
taken. Make sure that children are never alone near the stove. Never leave the
stove for a long period of time without surveillance.
The stove should be used only according to the instructions in this manual.
The stove has been built with a self closing door mechanism. This can be
disabled by removing the spring from under the ash pan.
i. Starting the stove
Please pay attention to the minimum space between the stove and flammable
objects when lighting a fire.
- Primary and secondary controls should be fully open. If the flue pipe has a flue damper it should also be fully open.
- Remove enough ash from the grate to let air through but leave some of the ash there. Put 2 larger logs as a base in the centre of the firebox, then some kindling on top, and finally 2-3 firelighters on top.
- Light the firelighters and close the door.
- After approximately 5 to 10 minutes, when the fire is burning fully, carefully open the door, put 1 to 2 pieces of the wood into the firebox, and then close the door.
- When all the fuel is properly burning, and the working temperature of the stove is achieved (after approximately 20-30 minutes), gradually move the primary air regulator backwards, but ensure that there is still a visible flame.
- When the stove is up to temperature and the fire burning well then the primary regulator can be completely closed.
- The door should only be opened again when the fuel has burned right down and you want to put new fuel in. If there is insufficient burning material in the firebed to light a new fuel charge, excessive smoke emission can occur. Refuelling must be carried out onto a sufficient quantity of glowing embers and ash that the new fuel charge will ignite in a reasonable period. If there are too few embers in the fire bed, add suitable kindling to prevent excessive smoke. It is recommended that the secondary air regulator is kept fully open in order for the “glass cleaning” to be most efficient, and to avoid the glass “fogging”.
- Use the amount of fuel you place in the stove to regulate the room temperature. To burn at the nominal output, the stove requires refueling every 45-50mins with approximately 1.1kg of wood logs.
- To achieve slow combustion, it is necessary to lay logs with one crossed over the other at 45º, the primary air control must be fully closed and the secondary air control lever must be half open, or to the DEFRA kit stop position for the SE model.
- When adding larger wood it is good practice to put in a couple of smaller bits first as the larger logs then light faster, so producing less smoke. When adding wood, the primary air control must always be open, and left open until the new logs have caughtfire. At that point close the primary control and leave the secondary air to facilitate the combustion.
THE STOVE SHOULD NEVER BE FILLED EXCESSIVELY. EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WOOD OR AIR
FOR COMBUSTION CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE THE STOVE.
During the first few times the stove is used, it is possible that it can
produce a slight smell while the paint is curing. This will disappear after a
short while. If the smell appears, open the windows of the room for
ventilation.
ATTENTION
THE ASHPAN MUST BE TIGHTLY CLOSED FOR PROPER REGULATION OF THE PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY AIR. If ash is allowed to build up behind the ashpan then it can
prevent the ashpan sealing properly.
ii. Cleaning and maintenance
The stove can be cleaned only when it is cold.
Pay attention while cleaning your stove not to damage, scratch or break
essential parts. For cleaning steel parts use non-abrasive detergents and a
soft rag, and after cleaning wash it well to avoid the deposit of detergent
which can damage material.
Cleaning the glass should be done when the fireplace is cold, using normal
detergent for washing the glass. In the case of solid deposits that should be
removed, we recommend to use detergents that are sold in stores, and that are
intended for that use.
After washing, wipe over with clean water and if there are condensates, do not
wait until they are dried, rather wipe them immediately.
Attention
The stove paint only achieves its ultimate strength after reaching its rated
temperature a few times.
To avoid damaging the paint, it is recommended to clean the stove surface only
when the paint achieves its ultimate hardness.
It is important to have the chimney regularly checked and cleaned by a
qualified chimney sweep.
iii. Adjusting the locking mechanism
iv. Instructions on how to access the flue through the stove
Pull out ash drawer, and remove grate
Remove both smaller side bricks
Carefully lift out both side fire bricks, ensuring the securing clip remains
with the brick. Attention, when removing the second side fire brick, ensure
you support the throat baffle to prevent it from being dropped
Now lower the throat plate baffle to remove Lift the second throat baffle away
from the retaining lugs and lower out You can now sweep through the stove. To
replace the fire bricks, please repeat steps 1 – 5 in reverse order
v. Layout and usage of air regulators
vi. Suitable materials for lighting
The stove should be used for the combustion of natural wood and wood
briquettes.
Some of the best wood for the stove is beech and birch. These types of wood
have the highest burn temperature, and they burn the cleanest, as long as they
have been stored in a dry place for a sufficient length of time.
If the glass window blackens excessively during burning it is usually an
indication that the moisture content of the firewood is too high.
Do not use any of the following:
- Damp wood or treated wood
- Cardboard
- Bark or plywood
- Plastic or other waste
Fresh wood should be cut up and stored 12 to 18 months in open storage, but protected from rain. According to the manual, any wood used should have a maximum humidity of 20%.
vii. Wood seasoning and storage
In order to dry or “season” freshly cut firewood should be stored in a well-
ventilated area protected from moisture for approximately 2-3 years. Store
your wood split so that the release of moisture is quicker. Do not stack the
logs too tight to ensure the best possible air circulation. Firewood should
not be stored directly on the ground. Do not store your firewood under
tarpaulins, plastic sheeting or in poorly ventilated locations.
Firewood that is already seasoned or dry should be stored in a suitable dry
location.
viii. Reducing particulate emissions
Sustainably managed and sourced wood has significantly lower carbon emissions
than oil or gas. On the other hand particulate emissions have a harmful effect
on health, and there many ways in which you can reduce them:
- Only burn dry, well seasoned wood (with a moisture content of 20% or less measured on a ‘wet basis’, or 25% or less measured on a ‘dry basis’). Look out for the WoodSure “Ready to Burn” logo.
- Light your stove using the “upside down method” described in this manual where you start with a couple of bigger logs, then the kindling, then the firelighters. This gets the firebox up to temperature faster and has been shown to result in lower particulate emissions in lab tests.
- Adjust the amount of wood you put into the fire based on how much heat you actually need. Do not fill the fire chamber up and then try to control the heat output by turning down the air controls.
- Make sure that the fire is burning well. Some signs of this are that the ash should be white. Black charcoal in the ash indicates an incomplete burn. The combustion chamber lining of the stove should be bright after firing and not sooty black. You should see good flames in the firebox at all times, without wisps of smoke. Incomplete combustion is generally always to do with an improper mix of three things: temperature, air, and fuel.
- Never “turn it down for the night”. Your stove must not be used to burn waste.
ix. Emptying the ashpan
It is recommended to clean out the ash every day.
Be careful that too much ash is not accumulated otherwise there is the danger
that, if the ash reaches up to the grate, it will not cool sufficiently and
may get damaged.
Before emptying the ashpan, check if there are any embers left in the ashtray.
Even though the ash is cold from the outside, it is possible that there are
embers within the ash which can lead to a fire in the waste bin.
x. In the case of chimney fire
If the wrong or unseasoned wood is used, it is possible that a chimney fire
can occur due to the accumulation of deposits inside the chimney.
Immediately close all air regulators on the stove and call the fire brigade.
If a chimney fire was to occur, an experienced professional should be employed
to check the entire flue system.
Malfunction and service
In the event of a product malfunction please contact your supplier. If the
stove is under warranty your supplier will take care of the warranty claim.
Regular maintenance of the stove and flue should be carried out by a competent
engineer.
Use only replacement parts as recommended by the manufacturer.
Troubleshooting
Symptom | Cause and Solution |
---|
The stove glass is black and sooty.
The glass should be wiped clean every few days but if it is getting
excessively black then there are a number of probably causes.| • The firewood
is too wet. Only use wood with a moisture content of 20% or less.
• The firebox is being overloaded with too much wood. This will cause an
excess of moisture in the firebox leading to blacking of the glass.
• Too little wood is being used from the start or the air lever has been
closed down too quickly after the fire has been lit. This prevents the stove
and chimney coming up to the proper working temperature and causes an
incomplete combustion.
• The chimney has insufficient draw due to it being too short or terminating
in the wrong place.
• The fire is receiving insufficient combustion air caused by a blockage or an
undersized combustion air duct.
Fire is difficult to start| • The moisture content of the wood is too high.
Only use wood with a moisture content of 20% or less.
• The logs are too thick. Kindling and thinner split logs should be used to
start the fire. Bigger logs should only be used once the stove is hot.
• The fire is receiving insufficient air. Is the supply air control set
correctly and are the combustion air ducts free of obstructions?
• Are the chimney and connectors free of obstructions?
When adding wood, smoke is
spilled from the door opening.| • Is the wood dry enough?
• Has sufficient wood burnt to bring the stove and chimney to operating
temperature?
• Is the chimney correctly sized?
• Is the chimney suffering from downdraft (ie puffing smoke during certain
weather conditions). Check that the chimney terminates sufficiently far away
from trees or nearby buildings. Fit an anti-downdraft cowl.
• Has the stove door been opened too fast?
Too fast burning / wood
consumption too high| • Were adequately sized logs used?
• Has too much wood been loaded into the firebox
• Was the air supply control set correctly and the supply of combustion air
reduced?
The combustion chamber lining is
black| • Check the combustion chamber, the baffle deflectors and the chimney
for blockages.
• The moisture content of the wood is too high. Only use wood with a moisture
content of 20% or less.
• Check that the stove is receiving sufficient combustion air.
Commissioning checklist
General Information
Stove purchased from. ____
Tel: __
Email: __
Installed by.
Tel: __
Email: _____
Installation date. 0
Notice plate and accompanying checklist completed.
Notice plate location. 0
Confirm that relevant local and national regulations have been followed,
including, in the UK, Document J of the Building regulations.☐
Water safety
Pressure release valve fitted and tested ☐
If the system is pressurised then please confirm that an expansion vessel of
the right volume has been fitted, and precharged to the correct pressure. ☐
Load unit fitted and verified to be working ☐
If a direct air duct has been used then the guidelines in the Firepower Direct
Air Duct Guidance has been followed. ☐
The system has been commissioned including running the boiler through a
complete burn cycle. ☐
Handover
Handover: user shown how to use the appliance and has the necessary
documentation. ☐
Handover: the importance of using only well seasoned wood has been explained.
☐
Handover: safety issues and required maintenance explained to the user. ☐
**Signed
Commissioning engineer’s signature**____
By signing this you confirm that all commissioning checks above have passed, and that operation and maintenance of the appliance have been explained to the customer in full in line with this user manual.
Warranty
The warranty cover is effective from when the unit is handed over to the
buyer. In case the commissioning does not take place within 3 months from the
date of purchase then the warranty period starts on the day of purchase of the
product, which must be demonstrated by proof of purchase such as a sales
receipt or paid invoice from the seller. All liability for any accidents due
to failure to observe the specifications contained in the use and maintenance
manual accompanying the device is declined. Furthermore all liability deriving
from improper use of the product by the user (including heat-shock, overload
or misuse of the firebox), unauthorised modifications and/or repairs, and the
use of nonoriginal spare parts or spare parts not designed for use on this
product model
are also declined. Duration of warranty is three years on the firebox house,
grate, flame baffle, moving parts (hinges, handle, and fittings).
Where the appliance is a boiler model then the warranty period reduces to 1
year if a load unit or load valve are not fitted.
Please note that the warranty does not cover glues, seals, ceramic glass, and
firebricks.
The warranty period and the scope of the warranty are granted under these
terms and conditions beyond the statutory warranty, which remains unaffected.
The guarantee is not valid if there has been:
- Non-compliance with the assembly and operating instructions or there have been technical modifications to the stove by non-company personnel
- Improper handling, improper use, incorrect installation or incorrect connection of the stove to the heating system
- The stove has been lit when not connected to a heating system
- Missing or faulty maintenance to the stove or chimney
- Improper transport or improper storage
- Overheating, thermal overload and resulting deformation or discolouration of the stove or the viewing window
- Normal wear and tear of the stove.
Regardless of the statutory warranty, which has priority over the warranty
within the statutory warranty periods, any defective parts that are
demonstrably based on a material defect or manufacturer’s defect are replaced
free of charge within the scope of the stated warranty conditions.
Opus reserves the right to either eliminate the defect or replace the
appliance. The warranty covers supplying a replacement part but does not cover
any labour associated with fitting the part or any further damages or costs
related to the defect nor costs arising from deinstallation or re-installation
of the appliance.
If parts are replaced then the warranty period will be extended for the
replaced part. Only spare parts approved by Opus may be used.
Fiche
Product Fiche Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/1187 Energy Labelling of Local Space Heaters
Supplier’s Name or Trademark: | Opus |
---|---|
Model | Aria |
Energy Efficiency Class of Model | A |
Nominal Heat Output to Room (kW) | 5 |
Nominal Heat Output to Water (kW) | n/a |
Net Efficiency (%) | 81 |
Energy Efficiency Index | 107 |
Dataplate
Energy Label
Distributed by Firepower
Dunkeswell Business Park,
Dunkeswell, Devon
EX14 4RD, UK
www.firepower.co.uk
+44(0) 800 246 1260
Opus-Trio-2022-003
References
- Firepower Heating UK | Firepower Heating
- Firepower Heating UK | Firepower Heating
- Smoke control areas: the rules - GOV.UK
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