5
Both$LP$and$natural$gas$have$an$odorant$added$to$aid$in$ detecting$a$gas$leak.$Some$$
people$may$not$physically$be$able$to$smell$or$recognize$this$ odorant.$If$you$are$unsure$or$
unfamiliar$with$the$smell$of$LP$or$natural$gas,$ask$the$gas$supplier.$Other$conditions,$such$as$
“odorant$fade”,$which$causes$the$odorant$to$diminish$in$intensity,$can$also$ hide$or$camouflage$
a$gas$leak.
DANGER!
NATU RA L'GAS'AND'LIQUEFIED'PETROLEUM'MODELS
●$$Water$heaters$utilizing$LP$gas$are$different$
from$natural$gas$models.$A$natural$gas$
water$heater$will$not$function$safely$on$LP$
gas$and$vice$versa.$
●$$No$attempt$should$ever$be$made$to$
convert$the$water$heater$from$natural$gas$
to$LP$gas.$To$avoid$possible$equipment$
damage,$personal$injury$or$fire,$do$not$
connect$the$water$heater$to$a$fuel$type$not$
in$accordance$with$the$unit$data$plateK$
propane$for$propane$units$and$natural$gas$
for$natural$gas$units.$These$units$are$not$
certified$for$any$other$fuel$type.
●$$LP$appliances$should$not$be$installed$below$
grade$(for$example,$in$a$basement)$if$such$
installation$is$prohibited$by$federal,$state$
and/or$local$laws,$rules,$regulations$or$
customs.
●$$Propane$or$LP$gas$must$be$used$with$great$
caution.$It$is$heavier$than$air$and$will$
collect$first$in$lower$areas,$making$it$hard$
to$detect$at$nose$level.
●$$Before$attempting$to$light$the$water$heater,$
make$sure$to$look$and$smell$for$gas$leaks.$
Use$a$soapy$solution$to$check$all$gas$fittings$
and$connections.$Bubbling$at$a$connection$
indicates$a$leak$that$must$be$corrected.$
When$smelling$to$detect$a$gas$leak,$be$sure$
to$sniff$near$the$floor$also.
●$$Gas$detectors$are$recommended$in$LP$
and$natural$gas$applications$and$their$
installation$should$be$in$accordance$
with$the$detector$manufacturer’s$
recommendations$and/or$local$laws,$$
rules,$regulations$or$customs.
●$$It$is$recommended$that$more$than$one$
method,$such$as$soapy$solution,$gas$
detectors,$etc.,$be$used$to$detect$leaks$$
in$gas$applications.
Notice:$If$a$gas$leak$is$present$or$suspected:
●$$Do$not$attempt$to$find$the$cause$yourself.
●$$Do$not$try$to$light$any$appliance.
●$$Do$not$touch$any$electrical$switch.
●$$Do$not$use$any$phone$in$your$building.
●$$Leave$the$building$immediately$and$make$
sure$your$family$and$pets$leave$also.
●$$Leave$the$doors$open$for$ventilation$and$
contact$the$gas$supplier,$a$qualified$service$
agency$or$the$fire$department.
●$$Stay$away$from$the$building$until$the$
service$call$has$been$made,$the$leak$is$
corrected$and$a$qualified$agency$has$
determined$the$area$to$be$safe.
AP15317 (10_09) DV Gas Manual 10 30 09.indd 5 11/9/2009 3:10:23 PM