State Industries Residential Gas Water Heater Periodic Maintenance, Venting System Inspection

VENTING SYSTEM INSPECTION

At least once a year a visual inspection should be made of the venting system. You should look for:

1.Obstructions which could cause improper venting. The combustion and ventilation air flow must not be obstructed.

2.Damage or deterioration which could cause improper venting or leakage of combustion products.

Be sure the vent piping is properly connected to prevent escape of dangerous flue gasses which could cause deadly asphyxiation.

Obstructions and deteriorated vent systems may present serious health risk or asphyxiation.

Chemical vapor corrosion of the flue and vent system may occur if air for combustion contains certain chemical vapors. Spray can propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerator and air conditioner refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals, calcium and sodium chloride, waxes, bleach and process chemicals are typical compounds which are potentially corrosive.

If after inspection of the vent system you found sooting or deterioration, something is wrong. Call the local gas utility to correct the problem and clean or replace the flue and venting before resuming operation of the water heater.

BURNER OPERATION AND INSPECTION

Flood damage to a water heater may not be readily visible or immediately detectable. However, over a period of time a flooded water heater will create dangerous conditions which can cause DEATH, SERIOUS BODILYINJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. Contact a qualified installer or service agency to replace a flooded water heater. Do not attempt to repair the unit! It must be replaced!

At least once a year a visual inspection should be made of the main burner and the hot surface igniter assembly for proper flame characteristics and ignition sequences. This can be done by removing the Outer Door and viewing the main burner operation through the Viewport on the Inner Door, see Figure 1. The main burner should provide complete combustion of gas, ignite rapidly, give reasonably quiet operation, and cause no excessive flame lifting from the burner ports. If the proper flame characteristics are not evident (see Figure 20), make sure that the flow of combustion and ventilation air is not blocked on the Air Intake Screen at the base of the water heater (see Figure 21), the Lint screen on the blower assembly (see Figure 1), and in the venting system.

You should also check for sooting. Soot is not normal and will impair

proper combustion.Avisual inspection of the main burner and HSI igniter assembly should also be done at least once a year, see Figure 20.

Soot build-up indicates a problem that requires correction before further use. Turn “OFF” gas to water heater and leave off until repairs are made, because failure to correct the cause of the sooting can result in a fire causing death, serious injury, or property damage.

FIGURE20.

BURNER CLEANING

In the event your burner or burner air openings require cleaning, turn the blower switch to the “OFF” position and allow the burner to cool. Call a service agency to remove and clean the burner and correct the problem that required the burner to be cleaned.

HOUSEKEEPING

Vacuum around base of water heater for dust, dirt, and lint on a regular basis.

This water heater unit is supplied with a plasticAir Intake Screen that will filter and prevent lint build-up on the bottom of the flame arrestor of this heater. To prevent the lint build-up on the arrestor, the lint screen must be installed on the Base Pan with the “arrows” pointing upwards as shown in Figure 21. If the Air Intake Screen is missing from this heater, please contact your service agency or local installer for a replacement part.

FIGURE21.

AT LEAST ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS A VISUAL INSPECTION SHOULD BE MADE OF THE AIR INTAKE SCREENS ON THE BASE OF THE WATER HEATER AND THE BLOWER ASSEMBLY. CLEAN IF LINT ACCUMULATIONS ARE NOTICED.