Rheem AP13945-2 - Manual (Page 7)

Installing the water heater :
This water heater must be installed in accordance with these instructions, local codes, utility company
requirements, and/or in the absence of local codes, use the latest edition of the American National
Standard/National Fuel Gas Code. A copy can be purchased from either the American Gas Association,
400 North Capitol Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001 as ANSI standard Z223.1 or National Fire
Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 as NFPA 54. In Canada, the latest
edition of the CSA B149.1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation, and the Canadian Electrical Code,
CSA C22.1 Part 1, in the absence of local codes.
Location of Water Heater
The water heater should not be located
in an area where leakage of the heat
exchanger or connections will result in
damage to the area adjacent to it or to
lower floors of the structure.
When such areas cannot be avoided it is
recommended that a suitable catch pan,
adequately drained, must be installed
under the water heater.
The pan must not restrict combustion air
flow.
A gas fired water heater or any other
appliance should not be installed
in a space where liquids which give off
flammable vapors are to be used or stored.
Such liquids include gasoline, but are not
limited to, LP gas (butane or propane),
paint or adhesives and their thinners,
solvents or removers.
Because of natural air movement in a room
or other enclosed space, flammable vapors
can be carried some distance from where
their liquids are being used or stored. The
open flame of the water heater’s main
burner can ignite these vapors causing an
explosion or fire which may result in severe
burns, death or property damage.
The water heater must be located so it is not
subject to physical damage, for example, by
moving vehicles, area flooding, etc.
If the water heater is installed in a garage, it
should be installed so that the direct
ignition system and main burner are no less
than 18 inches (45 cm) above the garage
floor.
Raising the gas fired water heater will
reduce BUT NOT eliminate the possibility
of lighting the vapor of any flammable
liquids which may be improperly stored or
accidentally spilled.
● The water heater should be installed as
close as practical to the vent termination
to minimize vent length and the number
of elbows required for venting.
●
The water heater should be installed with
the proper venting materials and
termination suitable for Category III
venting.
● A fire stop plate should be installed at
every penetration of a floor or ceiling if
the vent is not running in a fire-rated
shaft.
● Failure to install and properly vent the
water heater to the outdoors as outlined
in the Venting Section of this manual can
result in unsafe operation.
●
Long hot water lines should be insulated to
conserve water and energy.
●
The water heater and water lines should
be protected from exposure to freezing
temperatures.
●
Do not install the water heater in
bathrooms, bedrooms, any occupied
rooms normally kept closed, or in
outdoor areas.
●
Do not install the water heater in small,
poorly ventilated rooms, or in air tight
rooms with air-conditioning.
●
Do not install water heater where subject
to vibrations.
●
Do not install the water heater in
Recreational Vehicles, Mobile Homes,
Boats and other Watercrafts.
●
Do not install the water heater near vents
for heating or cooling. A minimum of 4
feet (1.2 m) should be maintained.
●
Minimum clearance from combustible
and non-combustible construction is 0”
around the air intakes pipe, 1/2” (1.3 cm)
sides, 0” rear (with support bracket); 12”
(30 cm) from the bottom; 12” (30 cm)
from the front of the water heater; and
12” (30 cm) from the top, (24” (61 cm)
from front and top is recommended for
servicing purposes). Refer to Figure on
page 8.
●
Maintain a minimum clearance of
1” (2.5 cm) between the vent outlet pipe
and air intake pipe. Also, maintain a 3”
(8 cm) clearance between the vent pipe
and combustible or non-combustible
construction, unless otherwise specified
by vent manufacturer or installed in an
enclosed space. If the clearances stated
on the Instruction/Warning Label,
located on the front panel of the heater
differ, install the water heater according
to the clearances stated on the label.
Refer to Figure on page 8.
7
WARNING: Combustible
construction refers to
adjacent walls and ceilings
and should not be confused
with combustible or
flammable products and
materials. Combustible
and/or flammable products
and materials should never
be stored in the vicinity of
this or any gas appliance.
!