Gas Supply; High Altitude - GE AP13204-4 Use And Care Manual

!
WARNING:
Do not attempt to convert this water heater for use with a different type of gas other than the type
shown on the rating plate. Such conversion could result in hazardous operating conditions.
!
WARNING:
Never use
an open flame to test for
gas leaks, as property
damage, personal injury
or death could result.
!
WARNING:
Failure to
install a water heater
suitable for the altitude at
the location it is intended
to serve, can result in
improper operation of the
appliance resulting in
property damage and/or,
producing carbon monoxide
gas which could result in
personal injury, or death.

Gas Supply

The branch gas supply line to the water
heater should be clean 1/2" black steel pipe
or other approved gas piping material.
A ground joint union or ANSI design
certified semi-rigid or flexible gas
appliance connector should be installed in
the gas line close to the water heater. The
National Fuel Gas Code (NFGC) mandates
a manual gas shut-off valve: See (NFGC)
for complete instructions.
If flexible connectors are used, the
maximum length shall not exceed 36".
If lever type gas shut-offs are used,
they shall be T-Handle type.
Compound used on the threaded joints of
the gas piping must be of the type
resistant to the action of LP gas. Use
compound sparingly on male threads only.
Leak Testing
The water heater and its gas connections
must be leak tested at normal operating
pressures before it is placed in operation.
Turn on the manual gas shut-off
valve near the water heater.
Use a soapy water solution to test
for leaks at all connections and
fittings. Bubbles indicate a gas leak
that must be corrected.
Pressure Testing the Gas Supply System
The water heater and its manual gas
shut-off valve must be disconnected from
the gas supply piping system during any
high pressure testing of that system at
pressures in excess of 3/8 psi (10.5" w.c.)
for natural gas, or 1/2 psi (14" w.c.) for LP
gas.

High Altitude

Ratings of gas appliances are based
on sea level operation and need not be
changed for installations at elevations
up to 5,999 feet.
A sediment trap should be installed at the
bottom of the gas line.
Do not use excessive force (over 31.5 ft
lbs.) in tightening the pipe joint at the gas
control (thermostat) inlet, particularly if
teflon pipe compound is used, as the valve
body may be damaged.
The inlet gas pressure to the water heater
must not exceed 10.5" w.c. for natural gas,
or 14" w.c. for LP gas. For purposes of
input adjustment, the minimum inlet gas
pressure (with main burner on) is shown on
the water heater rating plate. If high or
low gas pressures are present, contact
your gas supplier for correction.
The factory connections to the
thermostat should also be leak tested
after the water heater is placed in
operation.
The water heater must be isolated from
the gas piping system by closing the
manual gas shut-off valve during any
pressure testing of the gas supply piping
at pressures equal to or less than 3/8 psi
(10.5" w.c.) for natural gas, or
1/2 psi (14" w.c.) for LP gas.
For installations above 5,999 feet, please
contact your local distributor or place of
purchase for a high altitude model.
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