American Water Heater BCL3 85T390 6NOX - Manual (Page 23)

23
gas piping
Contact your local gas service company to ensure that adequate
gas service is available and to review applicable installation codes
for your area.
Size the main gas line in accordance with Table 8. The figures shown
are for straight lengths of pipe at 0.5 in. W.C. pressure drop, which is
considered normal for low pressure systems. note: Fittings such as
elbows, tees and line regulators will add to the pipe pressure drop.
Also refer to the latest version of the national Fuel Gas Code.
Schedule 40 Steel or Wrought Iron Pipe is the preferred material
for the gas line of this water heater. It is imperative to follow the
sizing recommendations in the latest version of the national Fuel
Gas Code if Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is used as
the gas line for this water heater.
The heater is not intended for operation at higher than 14.0" W.C.-
natural gas, (1/2 pound per square inch gage) supply gas pressure.
exposure to higher supply pressure may cause damage to the
gas valve which could result in fire or explosion. If overpressure
has occurred such as through improper testing of gas lines or
emergency malfunction of the supply system, the gas valve must be
checked for safe operation. Make sure that the outside vents on the
supply regulators and the safety vent valves are protected against
blockage. These are parts of the gas supply system, not the heater.
Vent blockage may occur during ice storms.
taBle 8 - gas supply pipe lengths (in feet)
maximum equivalent pipe length - natural gas only
Input rate
(bTU/Hr)
Schedule 40 Steel or Wrought Iron Pipe
1/2" 3/4" 1" 1 1/4" 1 1/2"
120,000 20 70 200 200 200
154,000 10 40 150 200 200
180,000 - 30 100 200 200
199,000 - 30 90 200 200
250,000 - 20 60 200 200
275,000 - 10 50 200 200
310,000 - 10 40 150 200
366,000 - - 30 100 200
390,000 - - 20 100 200
Fitting Type* equivalent length in feet
45°ell 0.7 1.0 1.2 1.6 1.9
90°ell 1.6 2.1 2.6 3.5 4.0
Tee 3.1 4.1 5.2 6.9 8.0
natural Gas 0.60 Specific Gravity, 0.50" W.C. Pressure Drop
*Screwed Fittings
It is important to guard against gas valve fouling from contaminants
in the gas ways. Such fouling may cause improper operation, fire or
explosion.
If copper supply lines are used they must be internally tinned and
certified for gas service. before attaching the gas line, be sure that
all gas pipe is clean on the inside.
To trap any dirt or foreign material in the gas supply line, a sediment
trap must be incorporated in the piping (see Figure 21). The sediment
trap must be readily accessible and not subject to freezing conditions.
Install in accordance with recommendations of serving gas suppliers.
refer to the latest version of the national Fuel Gas Code.
To prevent damage, care must be taken not to apply too much torque
when attaching gas supply pipe to gas valve inlet.
Apply joint compounds (pipe dope) sparingly and only to the male
threads of pipe joints. Do not apply compounds to the first two threads.
Use compounds resistant to the action of liquefied petroleum gases.
gas meter size – natural gases only
be sure the gas meter has sufficient capacity to supply the full rated
gas input of the water heater as well as the requirements of all other
gas fired equipment supplied by the meter. If gas meter is too small, ask
the gas company to install a larger meter having adequate capacity.
supply gas regulator
The minimum gas supply pressure must not be less than 3.5" w.c.
(0.87 kPa).
Do not subject the gas valve to inlet gas pressures of more than
14.0” W.C. (3.48 kPa). A supply gas regulator is necessary if higher
gas pressures are encountered. See Gas Pressure requirements
and Supply Gas regulator sections on page 12.
1. Supply gas regulators must be rated above the input btu/hr rating
of the water heater they supply.
2. Supply gas regulators shall have inlet and outlet connections not
less than the minimum supply gas line size for the water heater
they supply. See Table 8. on page 23.
gas piping and sediment trap installation
figure 21.
gas line leak testing
Fire and Explosion Hazard
Leak test before placing the water
heater in operation.
Disconnect gas piping and main gas
shutoff valve before leak testing.
Install sediment trap in accordance
with NFPA 54.
Use joint compound or Teflon tape
compatible with propane gas.
Any time work is done on the gas supply system perform a leak test
to avoid the possibility of fire or explosion.
1. For test pressures exceeding 1/2 psi (3.45 kPa) disconnect the
water heater and its Main Gas Shutoff Valve from the gas supply
piping system during testing, see Figure 21. The gas supply line
must be capped when disconnected from the water heater.
2. For test pressures of 1/2 psi (3.45 kpa) or less, the appliance need
not be disconnected, but must be isolated from the supply gas line
by closing the Main Gas Shutoff Valve during testing.
3. Coat all supply gas line joints and connections upstream of the
water heater with a non-corrosive soap and water solution to
test for leaks. bubbles indicate a gas leak. Do not use matches,
candles, flame or other sources of ignition for this purpose.
4. repair any leaks before placing the water heater in operation.
purging
Gas line purging is required with new piping or systems in which air
has entered.
Purging should be performed per the current edition of nFPA 54 the
national Fuel Gas Code.