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- Add original French manual as geminox-gbt-wood-boiler-manual.pdf - Add documentation section with link to PDF in wood-fire-heater.md 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
292 lines
8.2 KiB
Markdown
292 lines
8.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Wood Fire Heater (GBT Boiler)
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description: Complete operating guide for the GBT wood-fired boiler
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tags:
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- equipment
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- heating
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- wood-fire
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- priority
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aliases:
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- GBT Boiler
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- Wood Boiler
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---
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# Wood Fire Heater (GBT Boiler)
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> [!info] This is the primary heat source for the property
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## Quick Reference
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| Item | Details |
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|------|---------|
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| **Location** | *TBD* |
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| **Make/Model** | GBT Wood Boiler (Geminox) |
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| **Firewood Location** | *TBD* |
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| **Min Water Temp** | 70°C (to prevent tar/condensation) |
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---
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## How to Start the Boiler
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> [!warning] Before You Begin
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> 1. Check water pressure gauge reads **above 1 bar** (when cold)
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> 2. Confirm boiler has electrical power
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### Step-by-Step Startup
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**1. PUSH the [bypass lever (#3)](#boiler-components)** (opens flue gas bypass)
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![[flue-open.jpg|200]]
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**2. OPEN [loading door (#4)](#boiler-components)** → add paper, kindling, then logs
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**3. LIGHT the paper**
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**4. OPEN [ash door (#7)](#boiler-components) slightly** (improves draft)
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**5. WAIT a few minutes** until fire catches
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**6. CLOSE [ash door (#7)](#boiler-components)**
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**7. PULL [bypass lever (#3)](#boiler-components) toward you** (closes bypass)
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![[flue-closed.jpg|200]]
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**8. TURN ON [main switch (#8)](#boiler-components)** (orange light illuminates)
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**9. ADJUST [temperature knob (#5)](#boiler-components)** (keep above 70°C)
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> [!danger] Never use liquid fuel (gasoline, lighter fluid) to light the boiler
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---
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## Boiler Components
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![[boiler-front-view.png]]
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| # | Component | Purpose |
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|---|-----------|---------|
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| 1 | **Loading door handle** | Opens door to add wood |
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| 2 | **Thermometer** | Shows boiler water temperature |
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| 3 | **Bypass lever** | Push to open, pull to close (see below) |
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| 4 | **Loading door** | Add wood here (top front) |
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| 5 | **Temperature knob** | Left = cooler, Right = hotter |
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| 6 | **Secondary air adjustment** | Fine-tune combustion (2 screws) |
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| 7 | **Ash door handle** | Opens door to access ash pan |
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| 8 | **Main switch** | On/Off - orange light when on |
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| 9 | **Primary air adjustment** | Controls main air flow |
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| 10 | **Flame sight glass** | View fire through ash door |
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### Bypass Lever Positions
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| OPEN (for lighting/reloading) | CLOSED (normal operation) |
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|:-----------------------------:|:-------------------------:|
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| ![[flue-open.png\|150]] | ![[flue-closed.png\|150]] |
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| Push lever **away** from you | Pull lever **toward** you |
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---
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## Reloading Wood (Fire Already Burning)
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1. **PUSH** the bypass lever (opens bypass)
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2. Open loading door
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3. Add wood **moderately** - prefer 3-4 small loads over 2 large ones
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4. Close loading door
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5. **PULL** bypass lever toward you (closes bypass)
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> [!tip] Mid-season advice
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> Don't overload the boiler, especially in mild weather. Smaller, more frequent loads are better.
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---
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## Temperature Adjustment
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### Boiler Water Temperature
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- Turn the **temperature adjustment knob**:
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- **Left** = decrease (-)
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- **Right** = increase (+)
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- **Keep temperature at or above 70°C** to prevent tar buildup and condensation
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### Room/Radiator Temperature
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- Adjust the **mixing valve** on your heating circuit (not on the boiler itself)
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- Turn gradually from minimum toward maximum until comfortable
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---
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## Air Controls (Fine-Tuning)
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### Primary Air (Main Adjustment)
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- **Air control adjustment knob** on front
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- Left = less air (slower burn)
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- Right = more air (faster burn)
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- Goal: maintain glowing ember bed
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### Secondary Air (Combustion Quality)
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- Two adjustment screws near ash door
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- **Right** = decrease air
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- **Left** = increase air
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- Adjust with ash door closed
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- Check flame through sight glass - should be neither too weak nor too harsh
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---
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## Shutting Down the Boiler
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1. Press main switch to **STOP** position (orange light goes out)
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2. **Keep doors open** to ventilate the interior
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3. Allow to cool completely
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> [!warning] Frost Protection
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> If the building may be exposed to freezing temperatures, contact a qualified professional to add antifreeze or drain the heating circuit.
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---
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## Summer Operation
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### If Connected to Hot Water Tank
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- Set mixing valve to **minimum** position
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- Keep boiler temp at/above 70°C
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- Make 1-2 good batches of dry wood per day rather than continuous low operation
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- Adjust hot water temp via thermostat on the tank
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### If NOT Connected to Hot Water Tank
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- **Stop the boiler** (see shutdown procedure above)
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- Leave doors open for ventilation
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### Prevent Mixing Valve Jamming
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> [!warning] Important
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> During summer, **manually operate the mixing valve 3 times** to prevent jamming.
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---
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## Firewood Requirements
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> [!tip] Wood Quality is Critical
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> Use the **driest wood possible**: 2 years seasoning, including 1 year under shelter
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### Recommended Wood Types
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| Type | Quality |
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|------|---------|
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| Oak | Excellent |
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| Hornbeam (Charm) | Excellent |
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| Beech | Excellent |
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| Maple | Excellent |
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| Fruit trees | Good (except cherry & plum) |
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### Log Sizes
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| Model | Max Log Length |
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|-------|----------------|
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| GBT 20 | 50 cm |
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| GBT 30/50 | 70 cm |
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### Storage Location
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*TBD - Add firewood storage location*
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---
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## Maintenance Schedule
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### Daily
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- [ ] Remove ashes from ash pan
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### Weekly
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- [ ] Check central orifice between combustion chamber and loading area is clear
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- [ ] Remove ash pan and clean exchanger fins with metal brush
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- [ ] Clean flame sight glass if needed
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### Quarterly
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- [ ] Disassemble and clean smoke box (4 screws attach it to boiler body)
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### Twice Yearly (Mid-season & End of Season)
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- [ ] Have installer/service check and clean:
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- Fan cleanliness
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- Air passage openings
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- Joint/seal condition
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- [ ] End of season: complete cleaning, leave doors open for ventilation
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### Annually
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- [ ] Professional inspection of all adjustment and safety components
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- [ ] Chimney flue cleaning and verification
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> [!warning] Adding Water Frequently?
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> If you need to regularly add water to your heating circuit, call a qualified professional immediately.
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---
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## Troubleshooting
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| Problem | What to Check | Solution |
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|---------|---------------|----------|
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| No heating | Wood supply | Ensure boiler has wood |
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| No heating | Mixing valve position | Move from minimum toward maximum |
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| Heating but no hot water | Hot water system | Call qualified professional |
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| Hot water but no heating | Mixing valve | Check it's not on minimum |
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| Smoke in room | Bypass lever | Push open before lighting/loading |
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| Poor combustion | Wood moisture | Use drier, well-seasoned wood |
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| Tar buildup | Temperature too low | Keep boiler water above 70°C |
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| Tar buildup | Wet wood | Use properly seasoned wood |
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---
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## Emergency Procedures
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### Chimney Fire
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> [!danger] Signs of chimney fire
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> - Loud roaring sound
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> - Excessive smoke
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> - Very hot chimney/stovepipe
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> - Flames visible from chimney top
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**If chimney fire occurs:**
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1. **Call 112** (fire department)
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2. Close all air controls
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3. Get everyone out of building
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4. **Do not use water on the boiler**
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### Carbon Monoxide
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- Install CO detector near boiler
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- **Symptoms:** headache, dizziness, nausea
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- If alarm sounds or symptoms occur: evacuate and call 112
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### Water Leak
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- Stop the boiler immediately
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- Call qualified installer or after-sales service
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---
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## Service Contacts
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| Service | Contact |
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| ------------------------ | ------------------------- |
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| After-Sales Service | *TBD - Add local contact* |
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| Geminox Consumer Service | 08 20 00 60 00 (France) |
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| Chimney Sweep | *TBD* |
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| Installer | *TBD* |
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---
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## Safety Reminders
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> [!danger] Critical Safety Rules
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> - **Never** use liquid fuel to light the boiler
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> - **Never** overload the boiler, especially mid-season
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> - **Always** open bypass lever before lighting or reloading
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> - **Always** keep water temperature at/above 70°C
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> - **Never** store combustible or corrosive products near boiler
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> - **Never** block ventilation openings in the boiler room
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> - Only qualified professionals may work inside the boiler
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---
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## Documentation
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- [Geminox GBT Manual (PDF, French)](/equipment/heating/manuals/geminox-gbt-wood-boiler-manual.pdf) - Original manufacturer manual
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---
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## Related Pages
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- [[heating-system|Heating System Overview]]
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- [[fire|Fire Emergency Procedures]]
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- [[power-outage|Power Outage]] - Heat during outages
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