Rheem GHE80SU Use & Care Manual page 4

Be sure to read and understand the entire Use & Care Manual before attempting to install or operate this water heater.
Especially the following General Safety Precautions. Failure to follow these warnings could result in a fire or explo-
sion, causing property damage, bodily injury, or death. Should you have any problems understanding the instructions
in this manual, STOP, and get help from a qualified installer, service technician, or gas supplier.
WARNING
!
Gasoline, as well as other flammable materials and liquids
(adhesives, solvents, etc.) and the vapors they produce,
are extremely dangerous. DO NOT handle, use or store
gasoline or other flammable or combustible materials
anywhere near or in the vicinity of a water heater. Be sure
to read and follow the warning label pictured below as
well as the other labels on the water heater, and warnings
printed in this manual. Failure to do so can result in prop-
erty damage, bodily injury, or death.
DANGER
!
Failure to properly vent the water heater to the outdoors as
outlined in the "Venting" section (see pages 8 through 29)
of this manual can result in unsafe operation of the water
heater. To avoid the risk of fire, explosion, or asphyxiation
from carbon 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 the "Maintenance" section (see page 38)
of this manual for more information regarding vent system
inspections.
WARNING
!
Gasoline, as well as other flammable materials
and liquids (which include but are not limited to
adhesives, solvents, paint Thinners, etc.), and the
vapors they produce are extremely dangerous.
DO NOT handle, use, or store gasoline or other
flammable or combustible materials anywhere near
or in the vicinity of a water heater or any other
appliance. Be sure to read and follow the warning
label pictured below and other labels on the water
heater and in this manual. Failure to do so can
result in property damage, bodily injury, or death.
W A R N I N G
!
FLAMMABLES Flammable Vapors
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD
Can result in serious injury or death.
!
Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids
in the vicinity of this or any other appliance. Storage or use of gasoline
or other flammable vapors or liquids in the vicinity of this or any other
appliance can result in serious injury or death.
!
General Safety Precautions
DANGER
!
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM MODELS — Propane (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 attempt-
ing ignition of the water heater. 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 too.
• Gas detectors are recommended in LP applications and
their installation should be in accordance with the manu-
facturer's recommendations and local laws, rules, regu-
lations, 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 building 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 deter-
mined the area to be safe. Read and Review this entire
manual with special emphasis on the "Venting" section
(Pages 8-29) and "Operation" section (Pages 32-33) prior to
any installation work.
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 damage, personal
injury or fire: DO NOT connect this water heater to a fuel
type not in accordance with the unit's data plate. Propane
for propane units; natural gas for natural gas units. These
units are not certified for any other type fuel.
WARNING
!
LP appliances should not be installed below-grade (for
example, in a basement) if such installation is prohibited by
federal, state, or local laws, rules, regulations or
customs.
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