If the oxygen drops to an unhealthy low the oxygen detector will shut off the fireplace.
Vent free gas heater problems.
A vent free heater can provide that extra needed humidity.
Because a ventless fireplace does not have a fresh air intake vent the fire burns the oxygen in the room.
Check the injector holder located at the end of the burner tube.
An oxygen depletion sensor ods on unvented gas heaters and fireplaces shuts off the gas flow if the oxygen level drops below 18 an indicator that not enough fresh air is getting into the house but the ods does not detect carbon monoxide or other hazardous emissions.
They must be inspected cleaned annually by a professional gas technician.
Shut off the unit including the pilot.
Direct vent heaters draw exhaust air outside and blockages in the air vents.
If yours is a ventless heater that burns oxygen from the room try opening the window slightly to increase air flow.
The unit hasn t been serviced annually since you purchased it.
Blow air through the ports slots and holes in the burner.
If you notice excessive condensation on windows and other cold surfaces or in wall cavities that is a good indicator that you don t have enough fresh air to offset the water vapor being emitted into your space.
Vent fee gas logs are not maintenance free.
There s basically 4 reasons a vent free gas fireplace will produce soot like you described.