General Safety Information; Precautions - A.O. Smith 101 Series Instruction Manual

precautions

DO NOT USE THiS APPLiANCE iF ANy PArT HAS BEEN
UNDEr WATEr. immediately call a qualified service agency
to inspect the appliance and to make a determination on what
steps should be taken next.
if the unit is exposed to the following, do not operate heater
until all corrective steps have been made by a qualified
service agency.
1. External fire.
2. Damage.
3. Firing without water.
grounding instructions
This water heater must be grounded in accordance with the
National Electrical Code and/or local codes. These must be
followed in all cases. Failure to ground this water heater properly
may also cause erratic control system operation.
This water heater must be connected to a grounded metal,
permanent wiring system; or an equipment grounding conductor
must be run with the circuit conductors and connected to the
equipment grounding terminal or lead on the water heater.
Verify the power to the water heater is turned off before performing any service procedures.
Read and understand this instruction
manual and the safety messages
herein before installing, operating or
servicing this water heater.
Failure to follow these instructions and
safety messages could result in death
or serious injury.
This manual must remain with the
water heater.

general safety information

Water temperature over 125°F (52°C)
can cause severe burns instantly
resulting in severe injury or death.
Children, the elderly and the
physically or mentally disabled are at
highest risk for scald injury.
Feel water before bathing or
showering.
Temperature limiting devices such as
mixing valves must be installed
when required by codes and to
ensure safe temperatures at fixtures.
hydrogen gas flammaBle
Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water system served
by this appliance that has not been used for a long period of
time (generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely
flammable. To reduce the risk of injury under these conditions, it
is recommended that a hot water faucet served by this appliance
be opened for several minutes before using any electrical
appliance connected to the hot water system. if hydrogen is
present there will probably be an unusual sound such as air
escaping through the pipe as the water begins to flow. THERE
SHOULD BE NO SmOkiNG Or OPEN FLAmE NEAr THE
FAUCET AT THE TimE iT iS OPEN.
CAUTION
Improper installation, use and service may result
in property damage.
•
Do not operate water heater if flood damaged.
•
Inspect and anode rods regularly, replace if damaged.
•
Install in location with drainage.
•
Fill tank with water before operation.
•
Properly sized thermal expansion tanks are required on all
closed water systems.
Refer to this manual for installation and service.
4
Explosion Hazard
Flammable hydrogen gases
may be present.
Keep all ignition sources away
from faucet when turning on
hot water.
Explosion Hazard
Overheated water can cause
water tank explosion.
Properly sized temperature and
pressure relief valve must be
installed in the opening provided.