User Guide
21
For safe operation of the water heater, the temperature-
pressure relief valve must not be removed from its
designated opening nor plugged. The T&P valve must be
installed directly into the fi tting of the water heater designed
for the relief valve. Install discharge piping so that any
discharge will exit the pipe within 6 in. above an adequate
fl oor drain, or external to the building. In cold climates it is
recommended that it be terminated at an adequate drain
inside the building. Be certain that no contact is made with
any live electrical part.
The discharge opening must not be blocked or reduced in
size under any circumstances. Excessive length (over 30
ft. ), or use of more than four elbows can cause restriction
and reduce the discharge capacity of the valve.
No valve or other obstruction is to be placed between the
T&P valve and the tank. Do not connect discharge piping
directly to the drain unless a maximum of 6 in. air gap is
provided. To prevent bodily injury, hazard to life, or property
damage, the relief valve must be allowed to discharge
water in adequate quantities should circumstances
demand. If the discharge pipe is not connected to a drain
or other suitable means, the water fl ow may cause property
damage.
• Temperature-pressure relief valve discharge pipe
must terminate at an adequate drain.
Water Damage Hazard
CAUTION
T&P Valve Discharge Pipe Requirements:
• Shall not be smaller in size than the outlet pipe size
of the valve, or have any reducing couplings or other
restrictions.
• Shall not be plugged or blocked.
• Shall not be exposed to freezing temperatures.
• Shall be of material listed for hot water distribution.
• Shall be installed so as to allow complete drainage
of both the temperature-pressure relief valve and the
discharge pipe.
• Must terminate a maximum of 6 in. above a fl oor
drain or external to the building. In cold climates, it is
recommended that the discharge pipe be terminated
at an adequate drain inside the building
• Shall not have any valve or other obstruction between
the relief valve and the drain.
• Burn hazard.
• Hot water discharge.
• Keep clear of
temperature-pressure
relief valve discharge.
BURN
HOT
HOT
DANGER
It is recommended to manually operate the T&P valve at
least once a year. Caution should be taken to ensure (1) no
one is in front of or around the outlet of the discharge line,
and (2) the water manually discharged will not cause any
bodily injury or property damage because the water may
be extremely hot. If after manually operating the valve, it
fails to completely reset and continues to release water,
immediately close the cold-water inlet to the water heater,
follow the draining instructions in this manual, and replace
the temperature-pressure relief valve with a properly rated/
sized new one.
Note: The purpose of a temperature-pressure relief valve
is to prevent excessive temperatures and pressures in the
storage tank. The T&P valve is not intended for the constant
relief of thermal expansion. A properly sized thermal
expansion tank must be installed on all closed systems to
control thermal expansion, see “Closed Water Systems”
and “Thermal Expansion” sections.
Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve And Pipe
Insulation
The T&P valve installed on this water heater is covered by
insulation to minimize heat loss. The insulation has a hole
on the bottom side to accommodate the valve outlet and
allow for the piping connection. Do not restrict the outlet
opening of the T&P valve.
T&P Relief Valve
T&P Relief Valve
Drain Line
Manual Relief Lever
T&P Relief Valve Insulation
(Outlet opening on underside)
Figure 16
Locate the temperature and pressure relief valve on the
water heater (also known as a T&P relief valve). See
Figure 16.
1. Locate the slit running the length of the T&P relief
valve insulation.
2. Spread the slit open and fi t the insulation over the T&P
relief valve. See Figure 16. Apply gentle pressure to
the insulation to ensure it is fully seated on the T&P
Relief Valve. Once seated, secure the insulation with
duct tape, electrical tape, or equivalent. Important:
The insulation and tape must not block the discharge
opening or hinder access to the manual relief lever
(Figure 16). Ensure a discharge pipe is installed into
the T&P valve discharge opening per the instructions
in this manual.
3. Locate the hot water (outlet) & cold water (inlet) pipes
to the water heater.
4. Locate the slit running the length of a section of pipe
insulation.