320386-001 - AO Smith Water Heaters

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WATER HEATERThis gas water heater was manufactured to voluntary safety standards to reduce the likelihood of a flammable vaporignition incident. The new technology used in meeting these standards makes this product more sensitive to installationerrors. Please review the following checklist and make any required installation upgrades or changes.Questions? Contact Residential Technical Assistance by referencing the phone number on the front of the InstallationInstructions and Use & Care Guide.Installation ChecklistWater Heater LocationWater heater location is important and can affect systemperformance. Please check the following:□ Installation area free of corrosive elements and flammablematerials.□ Centrally located with the water piping system.Located as close to the gas piping and vent pipesystem as possible.□ Located indoors and in a vertical position. Protectedfrom freezing temperatures.□ Proper clearances from combustible surfacesmaintained and not installed directly on a carpetedfloor.□ Provisions made to protect the area from waterdamage. Metal drain pan installed and piped to anadequate drain.□ Sufficient room to service the water heater. See“Clearances and Accessibility” section of thismanual.□ Water heater not located near an air moving device.□ Is the installed environment dirty (excessive amountsof lint, dirt, dust, etc.)? If so, the flame arrestorlocated on the bottom of the water heater will need tobe cleaned periodically. Refer to the “Maintenanceof your Water Heater” section of this manual forinformation on cleaning the flame arrestor.Combustion Air Supply and VentilationCheck for sufficient combustion air supply. Insufficient airfor the combustion of gas will result in the flame becoming“lazy”, thereby allowing heat to build up in the combustionchamber. This excessive heat will cause a thermal switchon the door assembly to trip. Is the water heater installed ina closet or other small, enclosed space? If so:□ Are there openings for make-up air to enter andexit the room/area?□ Are the openings of sufficient size? Remember,if there are other gas-fired or air-consumingappliances in the same room, you need moremake-up air. Refer to the “Location Requirements”section of this water heater manual for specificrequirements.Fresh air not taken from areas that contain negativepressure producing devices such as exhaust fans,fireplaces, etc.□ Is there a furnace/air handler in the same roomspace as the water heater? If so, has a return airduct system been attached that exits the room?If so, check for leaks on the air duct system. If noair duct system is present, correct immediatelyby contacting a local Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC-R) authorizedservice provider.□ Fresh air supply free of corrosive elements andflammable vapors.□ Fresh air openings sized correctly with considerationgiven to the blocking effect of louvers and grilles.□ Ductwork is the same cross-sectional area as theopenings.Vent Pipe SystemCheck for proper drafting at the water heater draft hood.Refer to the “Checking the Draft” section of this manual forthe test procedure. If the procedure shows insufficient draftis present, please check the following.□ Draft hood properly installed.□ Vent connectors securely fastened with screws andsupported properly to maintain six inch clearance.□ Vent connector made of approved material andsized correctly.□ Vent pipe system installed according to all localand state codes or, in the absence of local andstate codes, the “National Fuel Gas Code”, ANSIZ223.1(NFPA 54)-current edition.□ Flue baffle properly positioned in the flue tube.□ Check the vent system for restrictions/obstructionsand check the vent termination height. Refer to the“Air Supply and Ventilation” section of this waterheater manual for specific requirements.□ Recheck for sufficient combustion air supply.Water System Piping□ Temperature and pressure relief valve properlyinstalled with a discharge line run to an open drainand protected from freezing.□ All piping properly installed and free of leaks.□ Heater completely filled with water.□ Closed system pressure build-up devices installed.□ Mixing valve (when applicable) installedper manufacturer’s instructions (see “WaterTemperature Regulation” section).Gas Supply and Piping□ Gas type is the same as that listed on the waterheater data plate.□ Gas line equipped with shut-off valve, union, anddrip leg.□ Adequate pipe size and approved pipe material.□ An approved noncorrosive leak detection solutionused to check all connections and fittings forpossible gas leaks. If such a solution is notavailable, use a mixture of dish washing soap andwater (one part soap to 15 parts water) or children’ssoap bubble solution. Bubbles forming indicate aleak. Correct any leak found.TEFLON ® is a registered trademark of E.I. Du Pont De Nemours andCompany.19