BIS PANORAMA Installation And Operating Instructions Manual - page 9
5
3.2
OPERATING THE BIS PANORAMA
3.2.1 Fuel
The BIS PANORAMA is designed to work best when fuelled with seasoned cordwood.
Hardwoods are preferred to softwoods since the energy content of wood is relative to its
density. Hardwoods will result in a longer burning fire and less frequent refuelling. A
moisture content of 15% to 20% (seasoned) is recommended. Excessively wet wood will
be difficult to burn and will result in lower efficiency, increased creosoting and plugging of
the catalytic combustor. Excessively dry wood will burn well but will also have higher
emissions and shorter burning time.
Do not burn scrap or garbage, treated wood or wood such as driftwood from the ocean
which has been exposed to salt or other chemicals. Salt or chemicals can corrode the
firebox and can shorten the life of the catalytic combustor. Do not burn large amounts of
paper, cardboard, Christmas tree branches or building construction materials. Intense
firing with these materials may overheat the fireplace, causing damage to the unit, a fire or
even possibly igniting a chimney fire if the chimney is creosoted. Overheating the unit
above 1000° C (1800º F) is harmful for the catalytic combustor; it can damage the catalyst
coating and can cause cracking of the substrate. Looking through the upper louvers, if the
top of the firebox is glowing, the unit is overheating,
3.2.2 First Fires
Before using the fireplace make sure to remove the plastic wrapping on the doors.
Remove all remaining glue with mild soap. Ensure that the door is well adjusted before
starting a fire (see page 12.)
The first 5 or 6 fires should be small fires of short duration (about 30 to 60 minutes).
This will help cure the refractory bricks. Ashes that will accumulate in the ashtray will
protect it from intense heat. The first fires may produce slight smoking due to drying of
the paint and steel and any dust accumulated on the fireplace will burn off at this time. It
may set off a smoke alarm located in the same room. For this reason the room should be
well ventilated for the first few fires.
3.2.3 Catalytic Combustor
The BIS PANORAMA is equipped with a catalytic combustor. Unburned by-products
of the wood fire are burned at lower temperatures as they pass through the combustor
resulting in less pollution, reduced creosote and higher efficiency. In order to have the
catalyst working, temperatures of the flue gases entering the combustor have to be higher
than 260 °C (500 °F). That is why the unit is equipped with a by-pass damper that
allows the draft air to by-pass the catalytic combustor. Opening the by-pass damper
control increases the draft allowing the unit to achieve proper operating temperatures
during a cold start-up. It also provides more draft to prevent smoke spillage when the
door is opened. When the catalyst light-off conditions are achieved, the combustor will