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 necessary with 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
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" (51 mm) 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.
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.
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 TRAVEL ALONG 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 INCHES (457 mm) 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 inches (76 mm) 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" (51 mm) deep, with length and width at least 2" (51 mm) greater than the diameter of the heater and must be piped to an adequate drain. The pan must not restrict combustion air flow.
Drain pans suitable for these heaters are available from your distributor or A. O. Smith Water Products Company, 5621 West 115th Street, Alsip, IL 60803. In Canada contact A.O. Smith Enterprises, LTD., 768 Erie Street, Stratford, Ontario, Canada N5A 6T3.
For appliance installation locations with elevations above 2000 feet (610 meters), refer to HIGH ALTITUDE INSTALLATIONS section of this manual for input reduction procedure.
HIGH ALTITUDE INSTALLATIONS
WARNING
INSTALLATIONS ABOVE 2000 FEET (610 METERS) REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE BURNER ORIFICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8.1.2 OF THE NATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE (ANSI Z223.1). FOR CANADIAN INSTALLATIONS CONSULT CANADIAN INSTALLATIONS CODES AND CAN/CSA
You should contact your gas supplier for any specific changes which may be required in your area.
As elevation above sea level is increased, there is less oxygen per cubic foot of air. Therefore, the heater input rate should be reduced at high altitudes for satisfactory operation with the reduced oxygen supply. Failure to make this reduction would result in an overfiring of the heater causing sooting, poor combustion and/or unsatisfactory heater performance.
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