8
Installing the water heater.
Proper operation of the water heater requires air for combustion and ventilation. Provisions for
combustion and ventilation air must comply with referenced codes and standards.
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Installation Instructions
Safety Instructions
Combustion and Ventilation Air
NOTE: If the water heater is installed in
an unconfined space within a building of
conventional frame, masonry or metal
construction, infiltration air is normally
adequate for proper combustion and
ventilation. If the water heater is
installed in a confined space,
provisions for combustion and
ventilation air must be made.
A confined space is one having a volume
of less than 50 cubic feet per 1000
BTUH of the aggregate input of all
appliances within that space.
The air must be supplied through two
permanent openings of equal area. One
is to be located within 12
″
above the
floor and the other is to be located
within 12
″
below the ceiling.
The minimum net free area of each opening
must not be less than one square inch
per 1000 BTUH of the total input rating
of all the appliances in the enclosure
(but not less than 100 square inches), if
each opening communicates with other
unconfined areas inside the building.
Buildings of unusually tight construction
shall have the combustion and ventilation
air supplied from outdoors, or a freely
ventilated attic or crawl space.
If air is supplied from outdoors, directly
or through vertical ducts, there must be
two openings located as specified above
and each must have a minimum net free
area of not less than one square inch
per 4000 BTUH of the total input rating
of all the appliances in the enclosure.
If horizontal ducts are used to
communicate with the outdoors, each
opening must have a minimum net free
area of not less than one square inch
per 2000 BTUH of the total input rating
of all the appliances in the enclosure. If
ducts are used, the minimum
dimensions of rectangular air ducts
shall not be less than 3
″
.
NOTE: If the duct openings are to be
covered with a protective screen or
grill, the net free area of the covering
material must be used in determining
the size of the openings. Protective
screening for the openings must not
be smaller than 1/4
″
mesh to prevent
clogging by lint or other debris.
Corrosive Atmospheres
The air in beauty shops, dry cleaning
establishments, photo processing labs,
and storage areas for liquid and
powdered bleaches or swimming pool
chemicals often contain such
halogenated hydrocarbons.
An air supply containing halogenated
hydrocarbons may be safe to breathe,
but when it passes through a gas flame
corrosive elements are released that
will shorten the life of any gas burning
appliance.
Propellants from common spray cans or
gas leaks from refrigeration equipment
are highly corrosive after passing
through a flame.
The water heater warranty is voided when
failure of the heater is due to operation
in a corrosive atmosphere.
NOTE: The water heater
should not be installed
near an air supply
containing halogenated
hydrocarbons.
Inspect Shipment
Inspect the water heater for possible damage. Check the markings on the rating
plate of the water heater to be certain the type of gas supplied corresponds to the
water heater requirements.
