State SUF 130 500 - Manual (Page 38)

38
gas line connection
1. The water heaters covered by this manual are shipped from
the factory with a 1 1/4” supply gas connection except 500
natural gas model, see Table 1 on page 10. Short pipe nipples
and reducer couplings are factory installed to increase the
size of the water heater’s 24 VAC Gas Valve inlet, see Figure
53. Connect the supply gas line to the water heater's 24
VAC Gas Valve in accordance with all applicable local and
national code requirements. do not use flexible gas piping.
2. SUF 130 500 natural gas models require a 1 1/2” minimum
supply gas line. All other water heaters covered by this manual
require a 1 1/4” minimum supply gas line. See Table 5 on
page 13.
3. Apply thread sealing compounds (pipe dope/ Teflon tape)
sparingly and only to the male threads of the pipe joints. Do
not apply sealing compound to the first two threads. Use pipe
dope or Teflon tape marked as being resistant to the action of
liquid petroleum (LP/propane) gases.
4. Use only a smooth jaw adjustable wrench (such as a monkey
wrench) as a back up on the body of the 24 VAC Gas Valve
when tightening the first pipe nipple into the body of the valve.
do not use a standard pipe wrench (Stillson wrench) with
metal tooth jaws as this may permanently damage the valve.
5. Use a standard pipe wrench (Stillson wrench) as a back up
on the first pipe nipple installed above when connecting other
fittings and pipe in the supply gas line to prevent the 24 VAC
Gas Valve on the water heater from twisting during installation.
6. To prevent damage, care must be taken not to apply too much
torque when connecting the supply gas line to the water heater.
7. Install a sediment trap (drip leg) as shown in Figure 52 on
page 37.
8. Install a main gas Shutoff valve in the supply gas line as
shown in Figure 52 on page 37.
note: Should overheating occur or the gas supply fail to shut
off, turn off the main Gas Shutoff valve to the water heater.
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 52
on page 38. 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. Paint all supply gas line joints and connections upstream
of the water heater with a rich 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.