American Water Heater AHCG3/HCG3100T250, AHCG3/HCG360T120 warranty Locating the Heater, Clearances

LOCATING THE HEATER

WARNING

THERE IS A RISK IN USING FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES SUCH AS GAS WATER HEATERS IN ROOMS, GARAGES OR OTHER AREAS WHERE GASOLINE, OTHER FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR ENGINE DRIVEN EQUIPMENT OR VEHICLES ARE STORED, OPERATED OR REPAIRED. FLAMMABLE VAPORS ARE HEAVY AND TRAVEL ALONG THE FLOOR AND MAY BE IGNITED BY THE HEATER’S IGNITER OR MAIN BURNER FLAMES CAUSING FIRE OR EXPLOSION. SOME LOCAL CODES PERMIT OPERATION OF GAS APPLIANCES IF INSTALLED 18 INCHES (46 cm) OR MORE ABOVE THE FLOOR. THIS MAY REDUCE THE RISK IF LOCATION IN SUCH AN AREA CANNOT BE AVOIDED.

THE HEATER SHALL BE LOCATED OR PROTECTED SO IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO PHYSICAL DAMAGE BY A MOVING VEHICLE.

DO NOT LOCATE THE HEATER WHERE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST OR INTAKE WILL BE OBJECTIONABLE. THIS INCLUDES LOCATIONS CLOSE TO OR ACROSS FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS. AVOID ANCHORING THE VENT AND INTAKE PIPES DIRECTLY TO FRAMED WALLS, FLOORS OF CEILINGS UNLESS RUBBER ISOLATION PIPE HANGERS ARE USED. THIS PREVENTS ANY VIBRATIONS FROM BEING TRANSMITTED INTO THE LIVING SPACES.

WARNING

FLAMMABLE ITEMS, PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS OR ANY OTHER POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDOUS ARTICLES MUST NEVER BE PLACED ON OR ADJACENT TO THE HEATER. OPEN CONTAINERS OF FLAMMABLE MATERIAL SHOULD NOT BE STORED OR USED IN THE SAME ROOM WITH THE HEATER.

When installing the heater, consideration must be given to proper location. Location selected should be as close to the intake and exhaust termination points as practicable, with adequate air supply and as centralized with the piping system as possible.

THE HEATER MUST NOT BE LOCATED IN AN AREA WHERE IT WILL BE SUBJECT TO FREEZING.

LOCATE IT NEAR A FLOOR DRAIN. THE HEATER SHOULD BE LOCATED IN AN AREA WHERE LEAKAGE FROM THE HEATER OR CONNECTIONS WILL NOT RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE ADJACENT AREA OR TO LOWER FLOORS OF THE STRUCTURE.

When such locations cannot be avoided, it is recommended that a suitable drain pan, adequately drained, be installed under the appliance.

Water heater life depends upon water quality, water pressure and the environment in which the water heater is installed. Water heaters are sometimes installed in locations where leakage may result in property damage, even with the use of a drain pan piped to a drain. However, unanticipated damage can be reduced or prevented by a leak detector or water shut-off device used in conjunction with a piped drain pan. These devices are available from some plumbing supply wholesalers and retailers, and detect and react to leakage in various ways:

•Sensors mounted in the drain pan that trigger an alarm or turn off the incoming water to the water heater when leakage is detected.

•Sensors mounted in the drain pan that turn off the water supply to the entire home when water is detected in the drain pan.

•Water supply shut-off devices that activate based on the water pressure differential between the cold water and hot water pipes connected to the water heater.

•Devices that will turn off the gas supply to a gas water heater while at the same time shutting off its water supply.

WARNING

This water heater is a condensing unit and requires a drain to be located in close proximity to allow the condensate to drain safely. The condensate drains from the unit at the exhaust elbow located at the bottom of the unit. Note: It is important that the condensate hose not be elevated above the exhaust elbow (see Figure 3). The condensate build-up will block the exhaust outlet, which will cause improper operation.

FIGURE 3.

WARNING

DO NOT USE THIS APPLIANCE IF ANY PART HAS BEEN UNDER WATER. IMMEDIATELY CALL A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE APPLIANCE AND TO REPLACE ANY PART OF THE CONTROL SYSTEM AND ANY GAS CONTROL WHICH HAS BEEN UNDER WATER.

CLEARANCES

These heaters are approved for installation on combustible flooring in an alcove when the minimum clearances from any combustion construction are followed as indicated in Figure 4.

In all installations the minimum combustible clearances from any vent piping shall be 0". Vent piping passing through a combustible wall or ceiling must be a continuous run (no joints).

A service clearance of 24" (61 cm) should be maintained from serviceable parts such as relief valves, flue baffles, flue damper devices, thermostats, cleanout openings or drain valves.

Always disconnect electrical power before servicing the unit.

FIGURE 4.

*ILLUSTRATION OF MINIMUM COMBUSTIBLE CLEARANCES IN AN ALCOVE.

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