Kenmore 153.333944 Owner's Manual page 4

Safety Precautions
_,WARNING J
The water heater with draft hood installedmust be prop-
erly vented to a roof jack which terminates outdoors. J
Never operate the water heater unless it is vented to the J
outdoors and has adequate air supply to avoid risks of
improper operation, explosionor asphyxiation.
_,WARNING
Minimum clearancesbetween the water heater and com-
bustible and noncombustible construction are I" at the
sides and rear, 4" at the front, and 6" from the vent pipe.
Clearance from the top of the draft hood is 12". Refer to
the label on the water heater located adjacent to the gas
control valvefor all clearances.
_,WARNING
Flood damage to a water heater may not be readily visible
or immediately detectible. However, over a period of time
a flooded water heater will create dangerous conditions
which can cause DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY,OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE. Call a Sears Service Technicianor
contractor to replace a flooded water heater. Do not
attempt to repair the unit! It must be replaced!
_,WARNING
ACAUTION
WATER HEATERS EVENTUALLY LEAK: Installation of
the water heater must be accomplished in such a manner
that if the tank or any connections should leak, the flow of
water will not cause damage to the structure. When such
locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drain pan should be
installed under the water heater. Drain pans are available
at your local Sears store. Such a drain pan must be not
greater than 1½ inches deep, have a minimum length and
width of at least 2 inches greater than the water heater
dimensions and must be piped to an adequate drain. The
pan must not restrict combustion air flow.
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogen gascan be produced in a hot
water system that has not been used for a long period of
time (generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is
extremely flammable and explosive.To prevent the possi-
bility of injury under these conditions,we recommend the
hot water faucet be opened for several minutes at the
kitchen sink beforeany electrical appliances which are con-
nected to the hot water system are used (such as a dish-
washer or washing machine). If hydrogen gas is present,
there will probably be an unusual sound similar to air
escaping through the pipe as the hot water faucet is
opened. There must be no smokingor open flame near the
faucet at the time it isopen.
_WARNING
INSULATING JACKETS: When installing an external water
heater insulation jacket on a gas water heater:
• DO NOT cover the temperature-pressure relief valve.
• DO NOT put insulation over any part of the top of the gas
water heater.
• DO NOT put insulation over the gas control valve or gas
control valve/burner cover, or any access areas to the
burner.
• DO NOT let insulation around the gas water heater to get
within 8 inches of the floor (air must get to the burner).
• DO NOT remove operating instructions, and safety relat-
ed warning labels and materials affixed to the water
heater.
• DO obtain new warning and instruction labels from Sears
for placement on the jacket directly over the existing
labels.
Failure to heed this will result in the possibility of a fire or
explosion.
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