Insulation Blankets; Combustion Air And Ventilation - A.O. Smith 300 Series Instruction Manual

Minimum clearances between the water heater and combustible
construction are 0 inch at the sides and rear, 5.5" (14.0 cm) from
the front and 18" (45.7 cm) from the top. (Standard clearance.) If
clearances stated on the heater differ from standard clearances,
install water heater according to clearances stated on the heater.
Adequate clearance 30" (76 cm) for servicing this water heater
should be considered before installation, such as changing the anode
rods, control system components and gas control valve.
A minimum clearance of 5.5" (14.0 cm) must be allowed for access
to replaceable and/or serviceable parts such as the thermostats,
drain valve, condensate drain, temperature-pressure relief valve,
clean out opening, and the vent connection (exhaust elbow).
When installing the heater, consideration must be given to proper
location. Location selected should be as close to the wall as
practicable and as centralized with the water piping system as
possible.
Figure 7. Clearances

INSULATION BLANKETS

Insulation blankets are available to the general public for external
use on gas water heaters but are not necessary with these products.
The purpose of an insulation blanket is to reduce the standby heat
loss encountered with storage tank heaters. Your water heater
meets or exceeds the Energy Policy Act standards with respect
to insulation and standby loss requirements, making an insulation
blanket unnecessary.
Should you choose to apply an insulation blanket to this heater, you
should follow these instructions. For identification of components
mentioned below, see Figure 3 (page 10) and Figure 4 (page 11).
Failure to follow these instructions can restrict the air flow required
for proper combustion, potentially resulting in fire, asphyxiation,
serious personal injury or death.
Do not apply insulation to the top of the water heater, as this will
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interfere with safe operation of the blower assembly.
Do not cover the control system LCD on top of the water heater.
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Do not cover the outer door, thermostat or temperature & pressure
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relief valve.
Do not cover the instruction manual. Keep it on the side of the
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water heater or nearby for future reference.
Do obtain new warning and instruction labels from the
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manufacturer for placement on the blanket directly over the
existing labels.
Do inspect the insulation blanket frequently to make certain it
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does not sag, thereby obstructing combustion air flow.

COMBUSTION AIR AND VENTILATION

Breathing Hazard - Carbon Monoxide Gas
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause brain damage or
death. Always read and understand instruction manual.
A gas water heater cannot operate properly without the correct
amount of air for combustion. Do not install in a confined area such
as a closet, unless you provide air as shown in the Locating The
Water Heater section. Never obstruct the flow of ventilation air. If you
have any doubts or questions at all, call your gas supplier. Failure to
provide the proper amount of combustion air can result in a fire or
explosion and cause death, serious bodily injury, or property damage.
Breathing Hazard - Carbon Monoxide Gas
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause brain damage or
death. Always read and understand instruction manual.
Figure 8. Figure 4: Combustion Air and Ventilation
If this water heater will be used in beauty shops, barber shops,
cleaning establishments, or self-service laundries with dry cleaning
equipment, it is imperative that the water heater(s) be installed
direct vent so that all air for combustion and ventilation is taken
from outdoors.
Propellants of aerosol sprays and volatile compounds, (cleaners,
chlorine based chemicals, refrigerants, etc.) in addition to being
highly flammable in many cases, will also react to form corrosive
acids when exposed to the combustion products of the water heater.
The results can be hazardous, and also cause product failure.
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Do not obstruct water heater air intake.
Gas and carbon monoxide detectors
are available.
Install water heater in accordance with
the instruction manual.
Install water heater in accordance with
the Instruction Manual and NFPA 54 or
CAN/CSA-B149.1.
To avoid injury, combustion and ventilation
air must be taken from outdoors.
Do not place chemical vapor emitting
products near water heater.