Kenmore 153.338073 - Manual (Page 14)

14
FIGURE 16.
No valve or other obstruction is to be placed between the relief
valve and the tank. Do not connect tubing directly to discharge
drain unless a 6 inch air gap is provided. To prevent bodily
injury, hazard to life, or property damage, the relief valve must
be allowed to discharge water in quantities should circumstances
demand. If the discharge pipe is not connected to a drain or
other suitable means, the water flow may cause property
damage.
The Discharge Pipe:
• Shall not be smaller in size than the outlet pipe size of the
valve, or have any reducing couplings or other restrictions.
• Shall not be plugged or blocked.
• Shall be of material listed for hot water distribution.
• Shall be installed so as to allow complete drainage of both
the temperature-pressure relief valve, and the discharge
pipe.
• Shall terminate at an adequate drain.
• Shall not have any valve between the relief valve and tank.
The temperature-pressure relief valve must be manually
operated at least once a year. Caution should be taken to ensure
that (1) no one is in front of or around the outlet of the
temperature-pressure relief valve discharge line, and (2) the
water manually discharged will not cause any bodily injury or
property damage because the water may be extremely hot.
If after manually operating the valve, it fails to completely
reset and continues to release water, immediately close the
cold water inlet to the water heater, follow the draining
instructions, and replace the temperature-pressure relief valve
with a new one.
Filling the Water Heater
Never use this water heater unless it is completely full of water.
To prevent damage to the tank, the tank must be filled with water.
Water must flow from the hot water faucet before turning “ON”
gas to the water heater.
To fill the water heater with water:
• Close the water heater drain valve by turning the handle to
the right (clockwise). The drain valve is on the lower front of
the water heater.
• Open the cold water supply valve to the water heater.
NOTE: The cold water supply valve must be left open
when the water heater is in use.
• To insure complete filling of the tank, allow air to exit by
opening the nearest hot water faucet. Allow water to run
until a constant flow is obtained. This will let air out of the
water heater and the piping.
• Check all water piping and connections for leaks. Repair as
needed.