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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:
• Select a location indoors as close as practical to the gas
vent or chimney to which the water heater vent is going to be
connected, and as centralized with the water piping system
as possible.
• 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 flow
will not cause damage to the structure. For this reason, it is not
advisable to install the water heater in an attic or upper floor.
When such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable 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 minimum length and width of at least 2 inches (51 mm)
greater than the water heater dimensions and must be piped to
an adequate drain. The pan must not restrict combustion air
flow.
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 shut-off 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 home when water is detected in the drain
pan.
• Water supply shut-off 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 flammable vapors which can be ignited by a gas water
heater’s pilot light or main burner. The resulting flashback and
fire can cause death or serious burns to anyone in the area, as
well as property damage. If installation in such areas is your
only option, then the installation must be accomplished in a
way that the pilot flame and main burner flame are elevated
from the floor at least 18 inches. While this may reduce the
chances of flammable vapors, from a floor spill being ignited,
gasoline and other flammable substances should never be
stored or used in the same room or area containing a gas
water heater or other open flame or spark producing appliance.
NOTE: Flammable vapors may be drawn by air currents from
other areas of the structure to the appliance.
Also, the water heater must be located and/or protected so it
is not subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.
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