GAS PIPING

Contact your local gas service company to ensure that adequate gas service is available and to review applicable installation codes for your area.

Size the main gas line in accordance with Table 2. The figures shown are for straight lengths of pipe at 0.5 in. W.C. pressure drop, which is considered normal for low pressure systems. Note: Fittings such as elbows, tees and line regulators will add to the pipe pressure drop. Also refer to the latest version of the National Fuel Gas Code.

WARNING

THE HEATER IS NOT INTENDED FOR OPERATION AT HIGHER THAN 14.0" W.C.(3.48 kPa) - NATURAL GAS, 14.0" W.C.(3.48kPa)

EXPOSURE TO HIGHER SUPPLY PRESSURE MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE GAS VALVE WHICH COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR EXPLOSION. IF OVERPRESSURE HAS OCCURRED SUCH AS THROUGH IMPROPER TESTING OF GAS LINES OR EMERGENCYMALFUNCTIONOFTHESUPPLYSYSTEM,THEGAS VALVEMUSTBECHECKEDFORSAFEOPERATION. MAKESURE THAT THE OUTSIDE VENTS ON THE SUPPLYREGULATORSAND THE SAFETY VENT VALVES ARE PROTECTED AGAINST BLOCKAGE. THESEARE PARTS OF THE GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM, NOT THE HEATER. VENT BLOCKAGE MAY OCCUR DURING ICE STORMS.

TABLE 2 - GAS SUPPLY LINE SIZES (IN INCHES)*

MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF PIPE IN CUBIC FEET PER HOUR

(Based upon a Pressure Drop of 0.5 inch Water Column and 0.6 specific Gravity Gas and max. gas pressure of 0.5 psig)

LENGTH

 

 

NOMINAL IRON PIPE SIZES (INCHES)

 

IN FEET

1/2"

3/4"

1"

1 1/4"

1 1/2"

2"

2 1/2"

3"

 

4"

10

175

360

680

1400

2100

3960

6300

11000

 

23000

20

120

250

465

950

1460

2750

4360

7700

 

15800

30

97

200

375

770

1180

2200

3520

6250

 

12800

40

82

170

320

660

990

1900

3000

5300

 

10900

50

73

151

285

580

900

1680

2650

4750

 

9700

60

66

138

260

530

810

1520

2400

4300

 

8800

70

61

125

240

490

750

1400

2250

3900

 

8100

80

57

118

220

460

690

1300

2050

3700

 

7500

90

53

110

205

430

650

1220

1950

3450

 

7200

100

50

103

195

400

620

1150

1850

3250

 

6700

125

44

93

175

360

550

1020

1650

2950

 

6000

150

40

84

160

325

500

950

1500

2650

 

5500

175

37

77

145

300

460

850

1370

2450

 

5000

200

35

72

135

280

430

800

1280

2280

 

4600

IT IS IMPORTANT TO GUARD AGAINST GAS VALVE FOULING FROM CONTAMINANTS IN THE GAS WAYS. SUCH FOULING MAY CAUSE IMPROPER OPERATION, FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

IF COPPER SUPPLY LINES ARE USED THEY MUST BE INTERNALLYTINNEDANDCERTIFIEDFORGASSERVICE.BEFORE ATTACHING THE GAS LINE, BE SURE THAT ALL GAS PIPE IS CLEAN ON THE INSIDE.

TO TRAPANYDIRT OR FOREIGN MATERIALIN THE GAS SUPPLY LINE, A DIRT LEG (SOMETIMES CALLED SEDIMENT TRAP OR DRIP LEG) MUST BE INCORPORATED IN THE PIPING (SEE FIG. 9). THE DIRT LEG MUST BE READILY ACCESSIBLE AND NOT SUBJECT TO FREEZING CONDITIONS. INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF SERVING GAS SUPPLIERS. REFERTOTHELATESTVERSIONOFTHENATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE.

To prevent damage, care must be taken not to apply too much torque when attaching gas supply pipe to gas valve inlet.

Apply joint compounds (pipe dope) sparingly and only to the male threads of pipe joints. Do not apply compounds to the first two threads. Use compounds resistant to the action of liquefied petroleum gases.

BEFOREPLACINGTHEHEATERINOPERATION,CHECKFORGAS LEAKAGE. Use soap and water solution or other material acceptable for the purpose in locating the leaks. DO NOT USE

MATCHES,CANDLES,FLAMEOROTHERSOURCESOFIGNITION FOR THIS PURPOSE.

DISCONNECT THE HEATER AND ITS MANUAL GAS SHUTOFF VALVE FROM THE GAS SUPPLY PIPING SYSTEM DURINGANY SUPPLY PRESSURE TESTING EXCEEDING 1/2 PSIG. GAS SUPPLY LINE MUST BE CAPPED WHEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE HEATER FOR TEST PRESSURES OF 1/2 PSIG OR LESS. THE APPLIANCE NEED NOT BE DISCONNECTED, BUT MUST BE ISOLATED FROM THE SUPPLY PRESSURE TEST BY CLOSING THE MANUAL GAS SHUTOFF VALVE.

GAS PIPINGAND DIRT LEG INSTALLATION

FIGURE9

PURGING

Gas line purging is required with new piping or systems in which air has entered.

CAUTION

PURGINGSHOULDBEPERFORMEDBYPERSONSEXPERIENCED IN THIS TYPE GAS SERVICE. TO AVOID RISK OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION, PURGE DISCHARGE MUST NOT ENTER CONFINED AREAS OR SPACES WHERE IGNITION CAN OCCUR. THEAREA MUST BE WELL VENTILATEDAND ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION MUST BE INACTIVATED OR REMOVED.

GAS METER SIZE — NATURAL GASES ONLY

Be sure the gas meter has sufficient capacity to supply the full rated gas input of the water heater as well as the requirements of all other gas fired equipment supplied by the meter. If gas meter is too small, ask the gas company to install a larger meter having adequate capacity.

GAS PRESSURE REGULATOR

The gas pressure regulator is built into the gas valve and is equipped to operate on the gas specified on model and rating plate. The regulator is factory adjusted to deliver gas to burner at correct water column pressure allowing for a nominal pressure drop through the controls.

The minimum gas supply pressure for input adjustment must not be less than 4.5" w.c. for natural gas.

9

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A.O. Smith BTR 151 THRU 201/A GAS Piping, Purging, GAS Pressure Regulator, Length Nominal Iron Pipe Sizes Inches Feet