American Water Heater AHCG3/HCG360T120 Hard Water, AIR Requirements, Unconfined Space, Venting

HARD WATER

Where hard water conditions exist, water softening or the threshold type of water treatment is recommended. This will protect the dishwashers, coffee urns, water heaters, water piping and other equipment.

See MAINTENANCE section for details of tank cleanout procedure.

AIR REQUIREMENTS

KEEP APPLIANCE AREA CLEAR AND FREE OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS, GASOLINE AND OTHER FLAMMABLE VAPORS AND LIQUIDS.

DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE FLOW OF COMBUSTION AND VENTILATING AIR.

WARNING

FOR SAFE OPERATION PROVIDE ADEQUATE AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION. AN INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF AIR WILL CAUSE RECIRCULATION OF COMBUSTION PRODUCTS RESULTING IN CONTAMINATION THAT MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO LIFE. SUCH A CONDITION OFTEN WILL RESULT IN A YELLOW, LUMINOUS BURNER FLAME, CAUSING CARBONING OR SOOTING OF THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, BURNERS AND FLUE TUBES AND CREATES A RISK OF ASPHYXIATION.

MECHANICAL EXHAUSTING OF ROOM AIR

Where an exhaust fan is installed in the same room with a heater, sufficient openings for air must be provided in the walls. UNDERSIZED OPENINGS WILL CAUSE AIR TO BE DRAWN INTO THE ROOM THROUGH THE HEATER’S VENTING SYSTEM, CAUSING POOR COMBUSTION. SOOTING MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE HEATER AND RISK OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION. IT CAN ALSO CREATE A RISK OF ASPHYXIATION.

UNCONFINED SPACE

In buildings of conventional frame, brick or stone construction, unconfined spaces may provide adequate air for combustion and ventilation.

If the unconfined space is within a building of tight construction (buildings using the following construction: weather stripping, heavy insulation, caulking, vapor barrier, etc.), air for combustion and ventilation must be obtained from outdoors. The installation instructions for confined spaces in tightly constructed buildings must be followed to ensure adequate air supply.

CONFINED SPACE

When drawing combustion air from inside a conventionally constructed building to a confined space, such a space shall be provided with two permanent openings, ONE IN OR WITHIN 12" (31 cm) OF THE ENCLOSURE TOP AND ONE IN OR WITHIN 12" (31 cm) OF THE ENCLOSURE BOTTOM. Each opening shall have a free area of at least one square inch (6.5 cm²) per 1000 Btuh appliances in the enclosure, but not less than 100 square inches (645 cm²).

If the confined space is within a building of tight construction, air for combustion and ventilation must be obtained from outdoors. When directly communicating with the outdoors through vertical ducts, two permanent openings, located in the above manner, shall be provided. Each opening shall have a free area of not less than one square inch (6.5 cm²) per 4000 Btuh of the total input of all appliances in the enclosure. If horizontal ducts are used, each opening shall have a free area of not less than one square inch (6.5 cm²) per 2000 Btuh of the total input of all appliances in the enclosure.

CHEMICAL VAPOR CORROSION

WARNING

CORROSION OF THE FLUE WAYS AND VENT SYSTEM MAY OCCUR IF AIR FOR COMBUSTION CONTAINS CERTAIN CHEMICAL VAPORS. SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN FAILURE AND RISK OF ASPHYXIATION.

Spray can propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerator and air conditioning refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals, calcium and sodium chloride, waxes, and process chemicals are typical compounds which are potentially corrosive.

PRODUCTS OF THIS SORT SHOULD NOT BE STORED NEAR THE HEATER. ALSO, AIR WHICH IS BROUGHT IN CONTACT WITH THE HEATER SHOULD NOT CONTAIN ANY OF THESE CHEMICALS. IF NECESSARY, UNCONTAMINATED AIR SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM REMOTE OR OUTSIDE SOURCES.

VENTING

WARNING

THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS SECTION ON VENTING MUST BE FOLLOWED TO AVOID CHOKED COMBUSTION OR RECIRCULATION OF FLUE GASES. SUCH CONDITIONS CAUSE SOOTING OR RISKS OF FIRE AND ASPHYXIATION.

Heater must be protected from freezing downdrafts during shutdown periods.

WARNING

NEVER OPERATE THE HEATER UNLESS IT IS VENTED TO THE OUTDOORS AND HAS ADEQUATE AIR SUPPLY TO AVOID RISKS OF IMPROPER OPERATION, FIRE, EXPLOSION OR ASPHYXIATION.

VENT PIPE TERMINATION

NOTE: Before installing venting, determine place of vent pipe termination. See Figures 5a & b and 6a & b before proceeding.

CAUTION

DO NOT TERMINATE THE VENTING 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 OR CEILINGS UNLESS RUBBER ISOLATION PIPE HANGERS ARE USED. THIS PREVENTS ANY VIBRATIONS FROM BEING TRANSMITTED INTO THE LIVING SPACES.

6