www.fmiproducts.com
125325-01A
12
INSTALLATION
Continued
CONNECTING TO GAS SUPPLY
WARNING: This appliance
requires a 3/8" NPT (National
Pipe Thread) inlet connection to
the pressure regulator.
WARNING: A qualified service
person must connect heater to gas
supply. Follow all local codes.
WARNING:
For natural gas, never
connect heater to private (non-utility)
gas wells. This gas is commonly
known as wellhead gas.
IMPORTANT:
For natural gas, check gas line
pressure before connecting heater to gas line.
Gas line pressure must be no greater than
10.5" W.C.. If gas line pressure is higher,
heater regulator damage could occur.
CAUTION: For propane/LP
gas, never connect heater di
-
rectly to the propane/LP supply.
This heater requires an external
regulator (not supplied). Install
the external regulator between the
heater and propane/LP supply.
For propane/LP gas, the installer must supply
an external regulator. The external regulator will
reduce incoming gas pressure. You must reduce
incoming gas pressure to between 11" and 14"
W.C.. If you do not reduce incoming gas pres-
sure, heater regulator damage could occur. Install
the external regulator with the vent pointing down
as shown in Figure 13. Pointing the vent down
protects it from freezing rain or sleet.
CAUTION: Use only new, black
iron or steel pipe. Internally-tinned
copper tubing may be used in
certain areas. Check your local
codes. Use pipe of large enough
diameter to allow proper gas vol
-
ume to heater. If pipe is too small,
undue loss of volume will occur.
Propane/LP
Supply Tank
External
Regulator
with Vent
Pointing
Down
Figure 13 - Equipment Regulator with
Vent Pointing Down
Typical Inlet Pipe Diameters
16-18,000 Btu/hr models - 3/8" or greater
26-30,000 Btu/hr models - 1/2" or greater
Installation must include equipment shutoff
valve, union and plugged 1/8" NPT tap. Locate
NPT tap within reach for test gauge hook up.
NPT tap must be upstream from heater (see
Figure 14, page 13).
IMPORTANT:
Install an equipment shutoff
valve in an accessible location. The equip-
ment shutoff valve is for turning on or shutting
off the gas to the appliance.
Check your building codes for an special
requirements for locating equipment shutoff
valve to heater.
Apply pipe joint sealant lightly to male NPT
threads. This will prevent excess sealant from
going into pipe. Excess sealant in pipe could
result in clogged heater valves.
* An equipment shutoff valve with 1/8" NPT
tap is an acceptable alternative to test gauge
connection. Purchase the optional equipment
shutoff valve from your dealer.
WARNING: Use pipe joint
sealant that is resistant to liquid
petroleum (LP) gas.
Install sediment trap in supply line as shown
in Figure 14, page 13. Locate sediment trap
where it is within reach for cleaning. Locate
sediment trap where trapped matter is not
likely to freeze. A sediment trap traps mois-
ture and contaminants. This keeps them from
going into heater controls. If sediment trap is
not installed or is installed wrong, heater may
not run properly.