A.O. Smith Water Heater - Manual (Page 19)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WATER HEATER
This gas water heater was manufactured to voluntary safety standards to reduce the likelihood of a flammable vapor
ignition incident. The new technology used in meeting these standards makes this product more sensitive to installation
errors. Please review the following checklist and make any required installation upgrades or changes.
Questions? Contact Residential Technical Assistance by referencing the phone number on the water heater.
Installation Checklist
Water Heater Location
Water heater location is important and can affect system
performance. Please check the following:
□ Installation area free of corrosive elements and
flammable materials.
□ Centrally located with the water piping system (For new
installations). Located as close to the gas piping and
vent pipe system as possible.
□ Located indoors and in a vertical position. Protected
from freezing temperatures.
□ Proper clearances from combustible surfaces
maintained and not installed directly on a carpeted floor.
□ Provisions made to protect the area from water damage.
Metal drain pan installed and piped to an adequate
drain.
□ Sufficient room to service the water heater. See
Clearances and Accessibility section of this manual.
□ Water heater not located near an air moving device.
□ Is the installed environment dirty (excessive amounts
of lint, dirt, dust, etc.)? If so, the base-ring filter located
on the bottom of the water heater will need to be
cleaned periodically. Refer to the Maintenance of your
Water Heater section of this manual for information on
cleaning the base-ring filter.
Combustion Air Supply and Ventilation
Check for sufficient combustion air supply. Insufficient air
for the combustion of gas will result in the flame becoming
“lazy”, thereby allowing heat to build up in the combustion
chamber. This excessive heat will cause a thermal switch
on the door assembly to trip. Is the water heater installed
in a closet or other small, enclosed space? If so:
□ Are there openings for make-up air to enter and exit
the room/area?
□ Are the openings of sufficient size? Remember, if
there are other gas-fired or air-consuming appliances
in the same room, you need more make-up air. Refer
to the Location Requirements section of this water
heater manuai for specific requirements.
Fresh air not taken from areas that contain negative
pressure producing devices such as exhaust fans, dryers,
fireplaces, etc.
□ Is there a furnace/air handler in the same room space
as the water heater? If so, has a return air duct system
been attached that exits the room? If so, check for
leaks on the air duct system. If no air duct system is
present, correct immediately by contacting a local
Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration
(HVAC-R) authorized service provider.
□ Fresh air supply free of corrosive elements and
flammable vapors.
□ Fresh air openings sized correctiy with consideration
given to the blocking effect of louvers and grilles.
□ Ductwork is the same cross-sectional area as the
openings.
Vent Pipe System
Check for proper drafting at the water heater draft hood.
Refer to the “Checking the Draft” section of this manual for
the test procedure. If the procedure shows insufficient draft
is present, please check the following.
Draft hood properly installed. □
□
□
□
□
□
□
Vent connectors securely fastened with screws and
supported properly to maintain six inch clearance.
Vent connector made of approved material and sized
correctly.
Vent pipe system installed according to all local and
state codes or, in the absence of local and state codes,
the “National Fuel Gas Code”, ANSI Z223.1(NFPA
54)-current edition.
Flue baffle properly positioned in the flue tube.
Check the vent system for restrictions/obstructions
and check the vent termination height. Refer to the
Combustion Air and Ventilation section of this water
heater manual for specific requirements.
Recheck for sufficient combustion air supply.
Water System Piping
□ Temperature and pressure relief valve properly installed
with a discharge line run to an open drain and protected
from freezing.
□ All piping properly installed and free of leaks.
□ Heater completely filled with water.
□ Closed system pressure build-up devices installed.
□ Tempering valve (when applicable) installed per
manufacturer’s instructions (See Water Temperature
Regulation section).
Gas Supply and Piping
□ Gas type is the same as that listed on the water heater
rating plate.
□ Gas line equipped with shut-off valve, union, and drip
leg.
□ Use pipe joint compound or teflon tape marked as being
resistant to the action of petroleum [Propane (L.P.)]
gases.
□ Adequate pipe size and approved pipe material.
□ An approved noncorrosive leak detection solution used
to check all connections and fittings for possible gas
leaks. Correct any leak found.
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