General Safety Precautions - Rheem HE119-130LP Use And Care Manual

Be sure to read and understand the entire Use & Care Manual before attempting to install or operate this water heater.
Pay particular attention to the following General Safety Precautions. Failure to follow these warnings could result in a fire
or explosion, causing property damage, bodily injury or death. Should you have any problems understanding the instruc-
tions in this manual, STOP, and get help from a qualified installer or service technician or the gas supplier.
!
WARNING
Gasoline, as well as other flammable materials and liq-
uids (adhesives, solvents, etc.), and the vapors they pro-
duce, are extremely dangerous. DO NOT handle, use or
store gasoline or other flammable or combustible materi-
als anywhere near or in the vicinity of a water heater. Be
sure to read and follow the warning label pictured below
and other labels on the water heater, as well as the warn-
ings printed in this manual. Failure to do so can result in
property damage, bodily injury, or death.
!
DANGER
Failure to install and properly vent the water heater to the
outdoors as outlined in the Venting Section of this manu-
al can result in unsafe operation of the water heater. To
avoid the risk of fire, explosion, or asphyxiation from car-
bon monoxide, never operate this water heater unless it
is properly vented and has an adequate air supply for
proper operation. Be sure to inspect the vent system for
proper installation at initial start-up and at least annually
thereafter. Refer to maintenance section of this manual
for more information regarding vent system inspections.
!
D A N G E R
FLAMMABLES Flammable Vapors
!
Vapors from flammable
liquids will explode and
catch fire causing death or
severe burns.
Do not use or store flammable
products such as gasoline,
solvents or adhesives in the
same room or area near the
water heater.
Keep flammable products:
1. far away from heater,
2. in approved containers,
3. tightly closed and
4. out of children's reach.
Installation:
Do not install water heater
where flammable products will
be stored or used unless the
main burner and pilot flames
Read and follow water heater warnings and instructions. If owners
manual is missing, contact the retailer or manufacturer.
!

General Safety Precautions

Water heater has a main
burner and pilot flame.
The pilot flame:
1. which can come on at
any time and
2. will ignite flammable
vapors.
Vapors:
1. cannot be seen,
2. are heavier than air,
3. go a long way on the
floor and
4. can be carried from
other rooms to the pilot
flame by air currents.
are at least 18" above the
floor. This will reduce, but not
eliminate, the risk of vapors
being ignited by the main
burner or pilot flame.
!
DANGER
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM MODELS
- 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.
· Make sure to look and smell for LP leaks before
attempting to light appliance. Use a soapy solution to
check all gas fittings and connections. Bubbling at a con-
nection indicates a leak that must be corrected. When
smelling to detect an LP leak, be sure to sniff near the
floor.
· Gas detectors are recommended in LP applications and
their installation should be in accordance with the manu-
facturer's recommendations and/or local laws, rules, reg-
ulations or customs.
· It is recommended that more than one method be used
to detect leaks in LP applications.
IF LP GAS 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 house immediately and make sure your fam-
ily and pets leave also.
· Leave the doors open for ventilation and contact the gas
supplier, a qualified service agency or the fire depart-
ment.
· Keep the area clear until the service call has been
made, the leak is corrected, and a qualified agency has
determined the area to be safe.
!
WARNING
Both LP and natural gas have an odorant added to help
detection. Some people may not physically be able to
smell or recognize this odorant. If unsure or unfamiliar
about the smell associated with LP or natural gas, ask
the gas supplier. Other conditions, such as "Odorant
Fade", which causes the odorant to "fade", or diminish in
intensity can also hide or camouflage a gas leak.
!
DANGER
Water heaters utilizing Liquefied Petroleum gas (LP) are
different from natural gas models. A natural gas heater
will not function safely on LP gas and vice versa. No
attempt should ever be made to convert a heater from
natural gas to LP gas. To avoid possible equipment dam-
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