Superior DRL2055 55" Linear Contemporary Direct Vent Gas Fireplace

Superior DRL2055 55" Linear Contemporary Direct Vent Gas Fireplace

The Superior DRL2055 is the 55" size of Superior's DRL2000 linear direct vent gas fireplaces, with a clean face and a glass viewing area 50" wide and 16-3/4" tall. It comes as the DRL2055TEN for natural gas (23,000 Btu/hr high, 19,000 low) or the DRL2055TEP for propane (21,000 high, 17,000 low). It is a sealed-combustion unit, so it pulls combustion air from outside and sends exhaust out through the same 4-1/2" x 7-1/2" Superior vent pipe.

The electronic IPI/CPI ignition runs on house power with four AA batteries as backup, so the fireplace keeps running when the power goes out; only the optional blower waits for power to come back. The face has built-in tile stops, and a 2-3/4" non-combustible fireboard ships in the box to keep drywall off the parts of the face that run hot.

The rest is up to you. You pick one control (a wall switch, thermostat or remote is required), then add a blower, a black porcelain liner, a matte black or stainless surround, blue or platinum glass, a driftwood log set or river rock, or the HeatFlo kit if a TV is going on the wall above. If you would rather have the blower, floor lighting and a remote built in, the Superior DRL3555 is the same 55" size with those included. The DRL2000 series also comes in 35" (DRL2035) and 45" (DRL2045).

Play video: Superior DRL2000 Direct Vent Gas Fireplace

Key Features

• 50" x 16-3/4" glass viewing area on a 55-1/2" wide fireplace
• Natural gas: 23,000 to 19,000 Btu/hr; propane: 21,000 to 17,000 Btu/hr
• Electronic IPI/CPI ignition with a four AA battery backup that runs the fireplace in a power outage (blower excluded)
• Reflective black crushed glass media included; platinum and reflective blue glass, a driftwood log set and river rock are available
• Tempered glass front with a protective screen barrier that meets the ANSI Z21.88 barrier requirement
• Clean face with integrated tile stops; non-combustible facing up to 6" deep can overlap the face
• 17" deep, so it fits an 18" deep framed wall with flush framing
• Optional HeatFlo kit sends heat out a register above the fireplace by natural convection, with no blower or electricity, to keep the wall cooler for a TV or artwork
• Listed for bedrooms and for permanently located manufactured homes (USA)
• Vents from the top with Superior Secure Vent rigid pipe, Secure Flex flexible pipe or Z-Flex GA
• 20 year limited warranty on the body, firebox and barrier

What's Included

• Electronic IPI/CPI ignition with battery backup
• Reflective black crushed glass media (7.5 lb)
• Tempered glass front with protective screen barrier
• Black painted interior
• 2-3/4" non-combustible fireboard
• Two U-shaped vent restrictors
• Minimal vent run baffle
• 15 ft of two-conductor wire for a wall control

What to Order With It

Required – Control (choose one):

• Remote, LCD, Thermostat, On/Off (RC-S-STAT)
• Remote, Two Button, Timer, On/Off or Timer Mode (RC-S-1)
• On/Off Remote and Receiver with White Wall Plate (RCKIT4001)
• Wall Switch, Countdown Timer (WS-S-TMR)
• Wall Switch, Thermostat (WS-S-TSTAT)
• Wall Switch Kit, On/Off, White (FWSK)
• Unit-Mountable Rocker Switch (FRS)

Required – Venting (4-1/2" x 7-1/2", ordered separately):

• Superior Secure Vent rigid pipe and parts
• Superior Secure Flex flexible vent kits
• Horizontal Termination Kit (SV4.5HT-2)

Optional – HeatFlo:

• HeatFlo Convection Air Circulation Kit (HTFLO-DV55)
• HeatFlo Flex Extension Kit, 60" length (HTFLO-EK-4.5)

Optional – Surrounds:

• Decorative Surround, Black Matte (DS-BLK-RNCL55)
• Decorative Surround, Stainless (DS-SS-RNCL55)

Optional – Liner:

• Porcelain Liner Kit, Black (PLK-BLK-RNCL55)

Optional – Media and logs:

• Glass Media, 5 lb Bag, Reflective Black (CRSHGL-RBLK)
• Glass Media, 5 lb Bag, Reflective Blue (CRSHGL-RBLU)
• Glass Media, 5 lb Bag, Platinum (CRSHGL-P)
• Driftwood Log Set (DWLS-RNCL55)
• River Rock, 25 Piece Kit (RIVROCK-1PK)

Optional – Blowers:

• Standard Blower, Single Speed (FBK-100)
• Blower, Variable Speed with Wall Switch (FBK-200)
• Blower, Variable Speed with Thermo Snap Switch (FBK-250)

Optional – Gas conversion and touch-up:

• Gas Conversion Kit, Natural Gas to Propane (GCK-M-L2055NP)
• Gas Conversion Kit, Propane to Natural Gas (GCK-M-L2055PN)
• Touch-Up Paint, Firebox Interior (SCITPSAB)
• Touch-Up Paint, Powder Coat Exterior (SCTPSAB)

Specifications

Efficiency figures are from Superior's installation manual, Table 2. AFUE is the US Department of Energy measure; P4 is the Canadian CSA P.4.1 fireplace efficiency rating.

Dimensions and Framing

Fireplace dimensions

Letters match the drawings above.

Framing, flat wall

The 55" models need at least 1 ft of vertical vent directly off the top, so an elbow can't sit directly on the unit.

Framing, corner

Framing is 2x4 or larger. These framing figures are for rigid Secure Vent; with flexible venting, follow the framing in the vent kit instructions.

Framing with the HeatFlo kit

Installation Requirements

• Clearances to combustibles: 0" at the spacers and top standoffs, 1/2" to the outer wrapper at the back and sides, 0" at the floor (6" if the optional facade is used).
• Ceiling: at least 52" from the bottom of the fireplace to the ceiling.
• Side walls: the fireplace can't be recessed behind the wall surface. With one side flush to a wall, the wall on the other side must not extend past the front edge of the unit. At 6" or more from the side, a combustible side wall can run any length.
• Front: keep 36" clear in front of the glass for service.
• Mantel: a 12" deep combustible mantel needs to be at least 14" above the hood (12" with the HeatFlo kit); shallower mantels can sit lower, per the mantel chart in the manual. Non-combustible mantels can go at any height, but nothing may hang below the hood.
• Wall finish: combustible finishes must stay off the black front face. Non-combustible facing up to 6" deep can overlap the face, as long as it doesn't cover the glass or block removal of the barrier.
• Shelf or TV above: with top venting, the required 1 ft of vertical rise and one 90° elbow, a combustible shelf must be at least 62" above the base of the fireplace with a rigid Secure Vent elbow, or 64" with a Secure Flex elbow. Don't insulate the space between the fireplace and the shelf. A TV above must stay within its maker's temperature rating.
• Floor: no hearth extension is required. On carpet, vinyl or any combustible floor other than wood, set the fireplace on a metal or wood panel the full width and depth of the unit.
• Venting: use only Superior Secure Vent, Secure Flex or Z-Flex GA pipe in the 4-1/2" x 7-1/2" size. At least 1 ft of vertical rise directly off the top of the 55" unit is required. The vent chart covers up to 60 ft of vertical run and up to 25 ft of horizontal run; the restrictors and baffle that ship in the firebox are used on the layouts the chart calls for. Keep 3" of clearance above horizontal vent runs and 1" at the sides and bottom.
• Gas: run a 1/2" gas line to the left side of the fireplace. Inlet pressure must be 5" to 10.5" WC on natural gas or 11" to 13" WC on propane.
• Power: a grounded 120 VAC supply to the junction box is required; the batteries are backup only.
• Altitude: the standard orifices cover 0 to 4,500 ft. Above that, the input has to be reduced; ask your gas supplier.
• Massachusetts: installation and repair must be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter. The flexible gas connector can't be longer than 36", and the shutoff must be a T-handle valve. A horizontal termination less than 7 ft above grade also needs a hard-wired carbon monoxide detector with battery backup on the floor where the fireplace is, and a GAS VENT DIRECTLY BELOW sign outside.
• Manufactured homes: ground the fireplace to the chassis and don't cut or weaken the cross members.
• Installation: must be installed by a qualified installer following the installation manual and local codes. Superior calls for an inspection by a qualified service person before first use and once a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a remote or wall switch with the DRL2055?
Yes. One control must be used: an on/off wall switch, a thermostat or a remote. None comes in the box, so pick one from the list above. A 15 ft run of two-conductor wire ships with the unit for a wall control.

Will it work during a power outage?
Yes. Four AA batteries in the battery holder run the fireplace when the power is out. An optional blower won't run until power returns.

Can I put a TV above it?
Yes, if the shelf or TV mount is at least 62" above the base of the fireplace with a rigid Secure Vent elbow (64" with Secure Flex) and the TV stays within its maker's temperature rating. The HeatFlo kit lowers the heat on that wall by sending warm air out a register near the ceiling, with no blower or power. Our guide to fireplace heat management explains how these kits work.

Can I change it from natural gas to propane, or the other way?
Yes, with Superior's conversion kit: GCK-M-L2055NP for natural gas to propane or GCK-M-L2055PN for propane to natural gas. In a manufactured home, the fireplace may only run on the gas shown on its rating plate.

Does the vent have to go straight up first?
Yes. The 55" models need at least 1 ft of vertical vent directly off the top of the fireplace before any elbow, on both vertical and horizontal runs.

What's the difference between the DRL2055 and the DRL3555?
Both are 55" Superior linear direct vent fireplaces with the same framing width and height. The DRL3555 adds floor lighting, a factory-installed blower and a remote, ships with platinum glass, and has a higher input (28,000 Btu/hr high on natural gas). It also uses a deeper 4-3/4" fireboard and needs more mantel clearance.

Can it go in a bedroom?
Yes. The DRL2055 is listed for bedrooms and for aftermarket, permanently located manufactured homes in the USA, where local codes allow.

What's the difference between IPI and CPI?
In IPI mode the pilot lights only when the fireplace is turned on. CPI keeps the pilot lit, which the manual suggests if the burner has trouble establishing draft. Our millivolt vs electronic ignition guide covers pilot gas use.

Warranty

Superior's 20 Year Limited Warranty covers the DRL2055 against defects in materials and workmanship:

• Fireplace body, firebox and barrier: 20 years
• Burner, gas components and gaskets: 1 year
• Tempered glass: 1 year, replacement
• Optional blowers and remote controls: 1 year
• Parts not listed: 90 days
• Labor: paid at IHP rates for the covered part's warranty period, up to five years

Vent components, trim and paint are not covered. The warranty is for the original owner of a fireplace installed in the US or Canada. Full terms are in the warranty certificate.

Documents and Downloads

• Installation and Operation Manual
• Specification Sheet
• Smart Sheet
• Brochure
• Warranty Certificate