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FACTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE LOCATION
The water heater should be located as close as possible
to/or centralized to the water piping system. The water
heater should be located in an area not subject to freezing
temperatures.
The water heater should be located in an area where leakage
of the tank or connections will not result in damage to the area
adjacent to the heater or to lower floors of the structure.
When such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drain pan
should be installed under the heater.
Such pans should be at least two inches deep, have a
minimum length and width of at least two inches greater
than the diameter of the heater and should be piped to an
adequate drain.
Drain pans suitable for these water heaters are available from
your distributor or A.O. Smith Water Heater Parts Fulfillment,
125 Southeast Parkway, Franklin, TN 37068.
LOCATING THE NEW WATER HEATER
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 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 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 drain pan that trigger an alarm or turn
off the incoming water to the water heater when leakage is
detected.
• Sensors mounted in the drain pan that turn off the water
supply to the entire home when water is detected in the
drain pan.
• Water supply shut-off devices that activate based on the water
pressure differential between the cold water and how 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.
CLEARANCES
A minimum clearance of 4” must be allowed for access to
replaceable parts such as thermostats, drain valve and
relief valve.
Adequate clearance for servicing this water heater should
be considered before installation, such as changing the
anodes, etc.
