Locating The New Water Heater; Facts To Consider About The Location; External/Internal Damage - A.O. Smith DIRECT VENTED GAS MODELS Installation And Operating Manual

LOCATING THE NEW WATER HEATER

FACTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE LOCATION

Carefully choose an indoor location for the new water
heater because the placement is a very important
consideration for the safety of the occupants in the building
and for the most economical use of the appliance. This
water heater is not for use in manufactured (mobile) homes
or outdoor installation.
Whether replacing an old water heater or putting the water
heater in a new location, the following critical points must
be observed:
1. Select a location indoors as close as practical to the
vent termination position. Figure 28 shows the venting
distances that the heater can be from the outside wall.
Ensure the vent termination position maintains the
clearances as outlined in Figure 28 thru Figure 30.
2. Selected location must provide adequate clearances
for servicing and proper operation of the water heater.
3. Avoid locations that could cause the water heater to
freeze from outside air.
4. Avoid locations that expose the water heater to direct
sunlight.
5. Keep combustibles such as boxes, magazines,
clothes, etc., away from the water heater area.
CAUTION
Property Damage Hazard
• All water heaters eventually leak.
• Do not install without adequate drainage.
Installation of the water heater must be accomplished in
such a manner that if the tank or any connections should
leak, the fl ow of water will not cause damage to the
structure. For this reason it is not advisable to install the
water heater in an attic or upper fl oor. In all cases, a metal
drain pan should be installed under the water heater. Metal
drain pans are available at your local hardware store. Such
a metal drain pan must have a clearance of at least 1"
greater than any point on the water heater's outer jacket
and must be piped to an adequate drain. The pan must
have a maximum depth of 1.75" .
Water heater life depends upon water quality, water
pressure and the environment in which the water heater
is installed. Water heaters are sometimes installed in
locations where leakage may result in property damage,
even with the use of a metal drain pan piped to a drain.
However, unanticipated damage can be reduced or
prevented by a leak detector or water shut-off device used
in conjunction with a piped metal drain pan. These devices
are available from some plumbing supply wholesalers and
retailers, and detect and react to leakage in various ways:
•
Sensors mounted in the metal drain pan that trigger an
alarm or turn off the incoming water to the water heater
when leakage is detected.
•
Sensors mounted in the metal drain pan that turn off
the water supply to the entire building when water is
detected in the metal drain pan.
•
Water supply shut-off devices that activate based on
the water pressure differential between the cold water
and hot water pipes connected to the water heater.
•
Devices that will turn off the gas supply to a gas water
heater while at the same time shutting off its water
supply.

EXTERNAL/INTERNAL DAMAGE

Do not operate the water heater until it has been fully
checked out by a qualifi ed technician, if the water heater:
•
Has been exposed to fi re or damage.
•
Displays evidence of sooting.
•
Produces steam or unusually hot water.
If the water heater has been fl ooded it must be replaced.
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