Instructions / Assembly

8
Installing the water heater
Combustion and Ventilation Air
Proper operation of the water
heater requires air for combustion
and ventilation. Provisions for
combustion and ventilation air must
comply with referenced codes and
standards.
When installed in a closet, DO
NOT block or obstruct any of
the combustion air inlet openings
located around the perimeter of
the water heater. A minimum
of 1” is required between these
combustion air inlet openings and
any obstruction.
NOTICE: If the water heater is
installed in an unconfined space
within a building of conventional
frame, masonry or metal
construction, infiltration air is
normally adequate for proper
combustion and ventilation. If
the water heater is installed in
a confined space, provisions for
combustion and ventilation air must
be made.
A confined space is one having a
volume of less than 50 cubic feet per
1000 Btuh of the aggregate input of all
appliances within that space.
The air must be supplied through two
permanent openings of equal area.
One is to be located within 12” above
the floor and the other is to be located
within 12” from the ceiling.
The minimum net free area of each
opening must not be less than one
square inch per 1000 Btuh of the total
input rating of all the appliances in the
enclosure (but not less than 100 square
inches), if each opening communicates
with other unconfined areas inside the
building.
Buildings of unusually tight
construction shall have the combustion
and ventilation air supplied from
outdoors, or a freely ventilated attic or
crawl space.
If air is supplied from outdoors,
directly or through vertical ducts,
there must be two openings located as
specified above and each must have a
minimum net free area of not less than
one square inch per 4000 Btuh of the
total input rating of all the appliances
in the enclosure.
If horizontal ducts are used to
communicate with the outdoors,
each opening must have a minimum
net free area of not less than one
square inch per 2000 Btuh of the total
input rating of all the appliances in
the enclosure. If ducts are used, the
minimum dimensions of rectangular
air ducts shall not be less than 3”.
NOTICE: If the duct openings
which supply combustion and
ventilation air are to be covered
with a protective screen or grill,
the net free area (openings in the
material) of the covering material
must be used in determining the size
of the openings. Protective screening
for the openings MUST NOT be
smaller than 1/4”mesh to prevent
clogging by lint or other debris.
Corrosive Atmospheres
The air in beauty shops, dry cleaning
establishments, photo processing
labs, and storage areas for liquid and
powdered bleaches or swimming
pool chemicals often contain such
halogenated hydrocarbons.
An air supply containing halogenated
hydrocarbons may be safe to breathe,
but when it passes through a gas flame
corrosive elements are released that
will shorten the life of any gas burning
appliance.
Propellants from common spray
cans or gas leaks from A/C and
refrigeration equipment are highly
corrosive after passing through a
flame.
The water heater warranty is voided
when failure of the heater is due to
operation in a corrosive atmosphere.
NOTICE: The water heater
should not be installed near
an air supply containing
halogenated hydrocarbons.
Inspect Shipment
Inspect the water heater for possible damage. Check the markings on the rating
plate of the water heater to be certain the type of gas supplied corresponds to the
water heater requirements.