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Table of Contents --- Scroll down to read the answers
1) Can "Formation
Creation"
logs be used in any fireplace?
2) Can FC's log sets be
used in any vented fireplace?
3) What are the meanings
of the terms "vented' and "unvented?"
4) Propane and Natural
gas pose different considerations. What are they?
5) How long do the log
sets actually last?
6) Why do most people
buy fireplace gas logs?
7) Is there a big
difference
in prices from one manufacturer to another?
8) Where is the best
place
to buy a quality log set?
9) Where can I read more
information on gas logs?
10) What are "Formation
Creation's"
logs made of?
11) Do you provide a warranty
for your logs?
------------------------------------Warranty
# 11
12) How are your log sets
protective
of the natural environment?
13) How do good log sets
protect
us from injury and disease?
14) Can I install the log set
by myself?
15) When arranging the logs,
is it hard to maximize their attractiveness?
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16) Can the distribution of
flame around the logs be adjusted?
17) What about testings,
ratings
and approvals by agencies.
18) Are gas logs safe?
19) What about gas logs
economic
benefits?
20) How do the logs look after
having used them?
21) What does the Safety Pilot
Valve do?
22) What is the "special sand"
used for that is in the complete set package?
23) Please explain the
burner used with the log sets?
24) Please explain the
"Glowing
Embers?"
25) Please discuss the "Pine
Cone Kit?"
26) Please explain the
"Acorn
Kit?"
27) How do you protect woodpeckers from
injury, since Formation Creation logs even fool the experts?
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1) Can
"Formation Creation" logs
be used in any fireplace?
No. They must always be used in a fireplace
capable of burning wood. It must have a chimney or flue to provide
escape for gases. Also, the damper must be clamped open
2) Can FC's
log sets be used
in any vented fireplace?
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No. Sometimes, the fireplaces are too small,
especially in their depth (front to back measurement), and cannot
accommodate
normal size sets. However, in many cases, a custom made set (at a very
reasonable fee) can be assembled. We just need to know the special
circumstance and the exact measurements.
3) What are
the meanings of the
terms "vented" and "unvented?"
Vented log sets can only be used in a fireplace
that allows the escape of fumes up through a vent such as a chimney or
flue, as with a common
wood burning fireplace. The unvented type can be used free standing,
without a vent
or a chimney.
4) Propane
and Natural gas pose
different considerations? What are they?
If LP (Liquid Propane in a tank) is used, the
orifice of the burner is smaller than a burner in a log set using
natural
gas.
The smaller orifice is needed to maximize combustion, providing greater
safety
and more economical use. Also, a "safety valve" is required Scroll down
to see Fuel
Rrequirements
5) How long
do the logs sets
actually last?
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The owner of Formation Creation, with his father
and grandfather, have been in the gas log business since 1961. The
owner's
father burned a set in the same conventional fireplace for 33
years, and it looks the same as when first installed.
6) Why do
most people buy fireplace
gas logs?
There are several reasons, we suggest you read
the Treatise "About Artificial Fireplace Gas Logs" Generally
speaking, because of several circumstances, a home owner wants to enjoy
the warmth, coziness and special appearance that an exotic log set
lends
to the comfort of a home. There are many other benefits too. As you
read
the treatise you'll discover why you'll want one too. Also read
the lower part of the home page.
7) Is there a
big difference
in prices from one manufacturer to another?
Yes. The cost depends on availability, quality
of manufacturing, materials used, difficulty and cost of special dying
processes, true worth of the warrantee and the extras included in the
total
package. An 18 inch set can cost as little as $49 and as much as $349.
For those of "discretionary taste," one always pays more -- and, it is
worth
it in the long run. Discount stores never carry the top quality brands
--
because
they are never made available to them.
8) Where is
the best place to
buy a quality log set?
Never from a discount store. The quality logs
are carried by the fireplace and hearth specialty stores. They often
carry logs made by 4 to 6 different manufactures. Look up "fireplace"
in
the yellow pages.
9) Where can
I read more information
on gas logs?
The treatise
is a fine place to start, and
so
is the Internet.
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10) What are
"Formation Creation's"
logs made of?
They're made of "all ceramic-type" materials. Even the cement binder as
well as fillers are volcanic ceramic materials. The dyes, hand-painted
on each log, gives them their astonishing realistic appearance. They
are
not destroyed by heat either. They are a proprietary
secret, and though we don't know their ingredients or chemistry --
trade
secrets of the manufacturer--we suspect that they too are of volcanic
ceramic
origin. The finished log is reinforced with steel rods for strength.
11) Do you provide a
warranty
for your logs?
We provide a life-time breakage warranty to
the original purchaser of the new product through a licensed retailer.
Return the broken log with proof of purchase. Allow 12 working days
from
time of receipt of the broken log, for delivery of the replacement.
12) How are
your log sets protective
of the natural environment?
The use of natural or propane gas within the
fireplace becomes a conservator of our forested land. It would
be interesting to know the extensive number of acres of timber that are
destroyed annually by forest fires caused in some way by fireplaces.
Natural
gas used appropriately preserves the ecosystem of our planet by
diminishing
the unnecessary destruction of forest and wildlife. Rather than going
up
in smoke and ashes, one way or another, the aged giants of pristine
forests
are preserved in areas set aside as wilderness, national parks and
national
monuments for succeeding generations to continually enjoy. Less
smoke
and harmful atmospheric gases torment the space around us. Choking
lungs
and stinging our eyes, the smog and smoke hanging over our world,
dimming
the horizons becomes a lesser problem.
13) How do
good log sets protect
us from injury and disease?
Well, you sure get rid of a ton of undesirable
critters.(see bottom of home page) No more
spiders, centipedes, scorpions, cockroaches and other
pests like mice, rats, lizards and snakes. They are always there in the
outside woodpile, and many are carried inside to the storage area. Once
inside, rest assured, they don't stay confined to the storage site.
And,
have you ever fallen down with an armload of wood in your arms?
14) Can I
install the log set myself?
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Unless there are peculiar circumstances, most
people following the explicit illustrated instructions accompanying the
set
can
do it. (this will help too) In some cases
the gas company will hook them up, but
be careful about trusting them to strategically position the burner
pan,
pipe and sand and arranging the logs on the grate in an attractive way.
You may have to re-adjust things to maximize the flame distribution
15) When
arranging the logs,
is it hard to maximize their attractiveness?
It is true that not everyone has the gift of
esthetic sense. However, experiment with positioning the logs in
ways to show off the beautiful aspects of each log. Consider knots,
splits,
protrusions and any other special character each log has as you decide
final placement. It's nice to have a friend with the knack for home
decorating,
yard beautification or flower arranging to give you a hand.
16) Can the
distribution of flame
around the logs be adjusted?
Yes. Use a long handled flat spatula or
wide-bladed
knife to dig away sand from the burner to get more flame or, mound it
up where there is
too much flame.
17) What
about testings, ratings
and approvals by agencies?
The "Omni Testing Laboratories" has rated
all of our sets for BTU output, and they have been "certified" by the
"American
Gas Association." See
BTU ratings for all sets.
18) Are gas
logs safe?
Common sense goes a long way, and a few don't
have it. But comparing gas logs to burning wood -- for safety, gas logs
stand head
and
shoulders above burning wood.
19) What
about gas logs economic
benefits?
All factors considered, gas logs are head and
shoulders above burning wood.
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20) How do
the logs look after
having used them?
Formation Creation's logs are equally impressive,
before burning them, during burning and after burning. In fact, burning
them leaves picturesque dark streaks on the logs making them appear
even
more realistic. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
21) What does
the Safety Pilot
Valve do?
The safety pilot valve shuts off the gas to the
burner and to the
pilot light if the flame goes out. It must always be installed with log
sets using propane. Here and there, there may be a city, county or
state
requiring them for sets using natural gas too. Simply check with city's
(or county's) Building and Safety Department. At present, we know that
the states of Colorado and New Mexico require them statewide.
22) What is
the "special sand"
used for that is in the complete set package?
The sand is placed inside a burner pan. (The
burner pan has a pipe in the bottom of it with drilled holes facing
down.)
When the gas is turned on, it filters up through the granules of sand,
igniting and spreading the flame over a greater area for better
appearance and combustion. This esthetic distribution
of flame enhances the log's natural appearance. Not any sand can be
used;
it must be of a correct pure material and of the correct granular size.
Do not use sand of your own finding in the burner pan. The function of
the burner will be ruined.
23) Please
explain the burner
used with the log sets?
The complete burner consists of a pan, pipe,
and sand. The pan itself is shaped like a dustpan without a handle. It
faces the room and is strategically positioned in the fireplace. After
centering the pipe into the pans special slots and hooking the pipe to
the gas source, sand is
poured into the pan over the burner pipe virtually covering everything
up. The sand is sloped
forward
and down and the "glowing embers" are spread over the slanted sand.
Then
the grate is placed strategically over it, and the logs esthetically
set
up on the grate.
24) Please
explain the "Glowing
Embers?"
They consist of a special material which is
scattered
on the sloping sand in front of the grate and logs. They glow like live
coals of a real fireplace. Not only do they look beautiful, but they
provide
a more complete combustion of the gas and therefore more heat. You will
love the effect.
25) Please
discuss the "Pine
Cone Kit?"
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Four pine cones are sold as a "kit" They look
nice layed atop or among the logs, or laid among the "Glowing Embers"
that
slope down in front of the grate and set. The largest measures 4-1/4
inches tall and 2-1/4 inches wide. The medium
sized
one measures 3" tall x 2" wide. There are 2 smaller ones to
complete
the kit of four, and they measure 2" x 1". They are excellent replicas
--
just like the logs. Another large pine cone is sold separately
from
the kit. It measures 3-1/2 inches tall by
3-1/4" wide. To see them, go to here, scroll down until
you find them and click the link.
26) Please
explain the "Acorn
Kit?"
With four in the kit, the two large ones measure
2-1/4 inches tall and 1-3/4 inches wide. The two smaller ones measure 1-3/4"
x 1-1/2" They too, are laid among the logs or
among
the Glowing Embers as discussed above in question # 27. Go here, and scroll down and
then click the link
27) How do
you protect woodpeckers from injury, since Formation Creation logs even
fool the experts?
We enclose our logs within protective screens until we ship
them. It was a big expense, but now we feel good about ourselves.
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