American Water Heater American Water Heaters Residential Gas Water Heater Water Heater User Manual


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10
FACTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE LOCATION
Carefully choose an indoor location for the new water heater, because
the placement is a very important consideration for the safety of the
occupants in the building and for the most economical use of the
appliance. This water heater is not for use in manufactured
(mobile) homes or outdoor installation.
Whether replacing an old water heater or putting the water heater in
a new location, the following critical points must be observed:
1. Select a location indoors as close as practical to the vent terminal or
location to which the water heater vent piping is going to be connected,
and as centralized with the water piping system as possible.
2. Selected location must provide adequate clearances for servicing
and proper operation of the water heater.
Installation of the water heater must be accomplished in such a manner
thatifthetankoranyconnectionsshouldleak,theowwillnotcause
damage to the structure. For this reason, it is not advisable to install
thewaterheaterinanatticorupperoor.Whensuchlocationscannot
be avoided, a metal drain pan should be installed under the water
heater. Drain pans are available at your local hardware store. Such
adrainpanmusthaveaclearanceofatleast1.0”(2.5cm)greater
thananypointonthewaterheater’souterjacketandmustbepiped
to an adequate drain.Thepanmustnotrestrictcombustionairow.
Forexample,ifacircularpanisused,itmustbeaminimumof27”
(69cm)indiameter.SeeFigure1.
Water heater life depends upon water quality, water pressure and
the environment in which the water heater is installed. Water heaters
are sometimes installed in locations where leakage may result in
property damage, even with the use of a drain pan piped to a drain.
However, unanticipated damage can be reduced or prevented by
a leak detector or water shuttoff device used in conjunction with a
piped drain pan. These devices are available from some plumbing
supply wholesalers and retailers, and detect and react to leakage
in various ways:
• Sensorsmountedinthedrainpanthattriggeranalarmorturnoffthe
incoming water to the water heater when leakage is detected.
•Sensorsmountedinthedrainpanthatturnoffthewatersupplyto
the entire building when water is detected in the drain pan.
•Watersupplyshuttoffdevicesthatactivatebasedonthewater
pressure differential between the cold water and hot water pipes
connected to the water heater.
•Devicesthatwillturnoffthegassupplytoagaswaterheaterwhile
at the same time shutting off its water supply.
INSTALLATIONS IN AREAS WHERE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
(VAPORS)ARELIKELYTOBEPRESENTORSTORED
(GARAGES,STORAGEANDUTILITYAREAS,ETC.):Flammable
liquids(suchasgasoline,solvents,propane(LPorbutane,etc.)and
othersubstances(suchasadhesives,etc.)emitammablevapors
whichcanbeignitedbyagaswaterheater’shotsurfaceigniteror
mainburner.Theresultingashbackandrecancausedeathor
serious burns to anyone in the area.
Also, the water heater must be located and/or protected so it is not
subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.
LOCATING THE NEW WATER HEATER
This water heater must not be installed directly on carpeting.
Carpeting must be protected by metal or wood panel beneath the
appliance extending beyond the full width and depth of the appliance
by at least 3”(7.6cm)inanydirection,oriftheapplianceisinstalled
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