Safety and Certification First!
To prevent Intoxicification...
When shopping for an Un-vented Alcohol Fireplace, what should I look for?
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All fireplaces in North America are required to be tested and Certified to ensure Safety to 'you' the consumer! This includes vented natural gas fireplaces, electric fireplaces and un-vented alcohol burning fireplaces. It is even more critical to ensure your un-vented alcohol fireplace is certified and approved to avoid Intoxification*
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Unlike all other 'Real Fire' fireplaces, such as natural gas or wood burning, an un-vented alcohol fireplaces vents directly into your home without a chimney or exterior vent. Home Insurance policies will not cover uncertified un-vented alcohol fireplaces in case of accident as they can pose serious health risks and risk of fire to surrounding areas.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
It is a Government Requirement in both Canada and the USA that all Certified and Approved Fireplaces must bear a label and Logo of the Certifying Agency on the fireplace and both must be visible to the consumer. If there is no label and logo on the fireplace (as shown on the right), chances are it is not Safety Approved.
There are only a few Agencies in North America that are approved by Governments to test and certify products to ensure Product Safety for consumers, these Agencies are listed on the right.
Certification Ensures:
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The fireplace enclosure is constructed to strict safety guidelines to prevent tipping, deterioration, and falling off the wall, in the case of wall hung units.
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The fireplace Burner is constructed to strict safety guidelines to prevent the build up of alcohol vapors to prevent flash fires and explosion.
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The fireplace has undergone strict testing to ensure it is safe to operate, easy to control and shut-off.
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Partition walls and surrounding materials will not catch fire from heat transference from the fireplace.
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The flame will be contained within the fireplace even when a draft occurs from on open door or window to prevent risk of personal burns and fire to surrounding areas.
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The fireplace has been tested with the approved fuel to ensure it burns 100% clean and free of contaminates such as lead, petroleum distillates, harmful chemicals and isopropyl alcohol.
If there is no EcoLogo an the fuel label, chances are the fuel is not certified and approved. Look for the EcoLogo (logo) and be Cautious of misleading brands and logos such as Eco Friendly, Green, Eco Certified, Non-toxic etc. These designations do not mean the fuel is certified and approved to strict Government Regulations. (Canada) (US)
* Intoxification is a physical state of impairment due to lack of oxygen or from breathing in contaminated air caused by particulates or foreign materials from unapproved fuel sources and uncertified burners.
WARNING FLAGS:
There are two types of Un-vented Fireplaces Approved for Canada and the USA - Ethanol Gel Burning and Ethanol Liquid Burning. Ethanol Gel Fireplaces are approved for use with a simple mesh screen. However, when shopping for a Liquid Ethanol Fireplace, the fireplace must be equipped with glass doors. If there are no glass doors on the fireplace, chances are it is no approved and certified. Partial glass partitions do not qualify. Liquid Ethanol is extremely volatile and poses serious Health Risks and Risk of Fire if not contained behind glass doors when burning. Once again it is critical to look for label and logos on the fireplace from Certifying Agencies to guarantee it is Certified and Approved.
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Safety Approval Agencies:
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Look for these symbols on the fireplace:
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cULus - Underwriters Laboratories
(Canada & United States)
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CSA - International
(formerly Canadian Standards Association)
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UL - Underwriters Laboratories
(United States of America)
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ULC - Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
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ITS - Intertek Testing Services Ltd.
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