IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN OUT-OF-GAS SITUATION, DO NOT TRY TO RELIGHTAPPLIANCES YOURSELF, ask your LP delivery person to relight pilots for you. Only trained LP professionals should conduct the required safety checks in accordance with industry standards.
EXTENDED NON-USE PERIODS
WARNING
HYDROGEN GAS CAN BE PRODUCED IN A HOT WATER SYSTEM SERVED BY THIS HEATER THAT HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME (GENERALLY TWO WEEKS OR MORE). HYDROGEN GAS IS EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. To reduce the risk of injury under these conditions, it is recommended that the hot water faucet be opened for several minutes at the kitchen sink before using any electrical appliance connected to the hot water system. If hydrogen is present, there will probably be an unusual sound such as air escaping through the pipe as the water begins to flow. THERE SHOULD BE NO SMOKING OR OPEN FLAME NEAR
THE FAUCET AT THE TIME IT IS OPEN.
INSULATION BLANKETS
Insulation blankets available to the general public for external use on gas water heaters are not approved for use on your A.O. Smith water heater. The purpose of an insulation blanket is to reduce the standby heat loss encountered with storage tank water heaters. Your A.O. Smith water heater meets or exceeds the ASHRAE/IES 90.1b-1999 standards with respect to insulation and standby loss requirement making an insulation blanket unnecessary.
WARNING
Should you choose to apply an insulation blanket to this heater, you should follow these instructions. Failure to follow these instructions can result in fire, asphyxiation , serious personal injury or death.
•Do not apply insulation to the top of the water heater, as this will interfere with safe operation of the draft hood.
•Do not cover the outer door, thermostat or temperature & pressure relief valve.
•Do not allow insulation to come within 2" (5cm) of the floor to prevent blockage of combustion air flow to the burner.
•Do not cover the instruction manual. Keep it on the side of the water heater or nearby for future reference.
•Do obtain new warning and instruction labels from A.O. Smith for placement on the blanket directly over the existing labels.
•Do inspect the insulation blanket frequently to make certain it does not sag, thereby obstructing combustion air flow.
CIRCULATING PUMP
A circulating pump is used when a system requires a circulating loop or there is a storage tank used in conjunction with the heater. Install the system in accordance with the current edition of the National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA No. 70 or the Canadian Electrical Code CSA C22.1.
Only all bronze circulators are used with commercial water heaters. Although circulators are oiled and operated by the manufacturer some circulators must be oiled again before operating. Please refer to manufacturer’s instructions.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
REQUIRED ABILITY
INSTALLATION OR SERVICE OF THIS WATER HEATER REQUIRES ABILITY EQUIVALENT TO THAT OF A LICENSED TRADESMAN IN THE FIELD INVOLVED. PLUMBING, AIR SUPPLY, VENTING AND GAS SUPPLY WORK ARE REQUIRED.
GENERAL
The heater is designed to operate on natural or propane gases. HOWEVER, MAKE SURE the gas on which the heater will operate is the same as that specified on the heater model and rating plate.
LOCATING THE HEATER
When installing the heater, consideration must be given to proper location. Location selected should be as close to the stack or chimney as practicable, with adequate air supply and as centralized with the piping system as possible.
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 TRAVELALONG THE FLOOR AND MAY BE IGNITED BY THE HEATER’S PILOT OR MAIN BURNER FLAMES CAUSING FIRE OR EXPLOSION. SOME LOCAL CODES PERMIT OPERATION OF GAS APPLIANCES IF INSTALLED 18" (46CM) OR MORE ABOVE THE FLOOR. THIS MAY REDUCE THE RISK IF LOCATION IN SUCH AN AREA CANNOT BE AVOIDED.
DO NOT INSTALL THIS WATER HEATER DIRECTLY ON A CARPETED FLOOR. A FIRE HAZARD MAY RESULT. Instead the water heater must be placed on a metal or wood panel extending beyond the full width and depth by at least 3" (76.2mm) in any direction. If the heater is installed in a carpeted alcove or closet, the entire floor shall be covered by the panel. Also, see the drain requirements.
THIS HEATER SHALL BE LOCATED OR PROTECTED SO IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO PHYSICAL DAMAGE BY A MOVING VEHICLE.
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.
THE HEATER MUST NOT BE LOCATED IN AN AREA WHERE IT WILL BE SUBJECT TO FREEZING.
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, A SUITABLE DRAIN PAN SHOULD BE INSTALLED UNDER THE HEATER. Such pans should be fabricated with sides at least 2" (5cm) deep, with length and width at least 2" (5cm) greater than the diameter of the heater and must be piped to an adequate drain. The pan must not restrict combustion air flow.