Operating instructions

Safety Instructions
A, WARNING &WARNING
The water heater with draft hood installed must be INSULATING JACKETS: When installing an external
properly vented to a chimney which terminates out- water heater insulation jacket on a gas water heater:
doors. Never operate the water heater unless it is • DO NOT cover the temperature-pressure relief valve.
vented to the outdoors and has adequate air supply • DO NOT put insulation over any part of the top of
to avoid risks of improper operation, explosion or the gas water heater.
asphyxiation. • DO NOT put insulation over the gas control valve or
gas control valve/burner cover, or any accessareas
to the burner.
• DO NOT let insulation around the gas water heater
=tWARNING to get within 8 inches of the floor (accessfor servic-
Minimum clearances between the water heater and ing the burner).
combustible construction are 1" at the sides and rear, • DO NOT cover or remove operating instructions,
4" at the front, and 6" from the vent pipe. Clearance and safety related warning labels and materials
from the top of the jacket is 18" on most models, affixed to the water heater.
Note that a lesser dimension may be allowed on Failure to heed this will result in the possibility of a
some models. Refer to the label on the water heater fire or explosion.
adjacent to the gas control valve for all clearances.
,& WARNING A CAUTION
WATER HEATERS EVENTUALLY LEAK: Installation of
Flood damage to a water heater may not be readily the water heater must be accomplished in such a
visible or immediately detectible. However, over a manner that if the tank or any connections should
period of time a flooded water heater will create leak, the flow of water will not cause damage to
dangerous conditions which can cause DEATH, SERI- the structure. For this reason, it is not advisable to
OUS BODILY INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. install the water heater in an attic or upper floor.
Contact the Maytag dealer from whom the appli- When such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable
ance was purchased or call Maytag Customer Service drain pan should be installed under the water
at 1-800-788-8899 for an authorized servicer to heater. Drain pans are available at your local hard-
replace a flooded water heater. Do not attempt to
ware store. Such a drain pan must be not greater
repair the unit! It must be replaced! than 1_½inches deep, have a minimum length and
width of at least 2 inches greater than the water
heater dimensions and must be piped to an ade-
quate drain. The pan must not restrict combustion
AWARNING air flow. Under no circumstances is the manufactur-
er to be held liable for any water damage in con-
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogen gas can be produced in
a hot water system that has not been used for a nection with this water heater.
long period of time (generally two weeks or more).
Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable and explosive.
To prevent the possibility of injury under these con-
ditions, we recommend the hot water faucet be
opened for several minutes at the kitchen sink
before any electrical appliances which are connected
to the hot water system are used (such as a dish-
washer or washing machine). If hydrogen gas is pre-
sent, there will probably be an unusual sound simi-
lar to air escaping through the pipe as the hot water
faucet is opened. There must be no smoking or open
flame near the faucet at the time it is open.
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