Use and Care Manual
11
WARNING: DO NOT attempt to convert this water heater for use with a different type of gas
other than the type shown on the rating plate. Such conversion could result in hazardous operating
conditions.
Leak Testing
The water heater and its gas
connections must be leak tested at
normal operating pressures before it is
placed in operation.
Turn on the manual gas shut-off
valve near the water heater.
Use a soapy water solution to test
for leaks at all connections and
fittings. Bubbles indicate a gas
leak that must be corrected.
The factory connections to the gas
control (thermostat) should also be leak
tested after the water heater is placed in
operation.
High Altitude
This water heater is suitable and
certified for use at high altitude. Refer
to the altitude label on the water heater
for maximum allowable installation
altitude.
!
WARNING: Installations above
the rated altitude as specified on the
altitude label are not authorized and
may result in improper and
inefficient operation of the appliance,
producing carbon monoxide gas in
excess of acceptable limits, which
could result in serious injury or
death.
Gas Supply
The branch gas supply line to the water
heater should be clean 1/2” black steel
pipe or other approved gas piping
material.
A union or ANSI design certified
semi-rigid or flexible gas appliance
connector should be installed in the
gas line close to the water heater.
The National Fuel Gas Code (NFGC)
mandates a manual gas shut-off valve:
See (NFGC) for complete instructions.
If flexible connectors are used, the
maximum length shall not exceed 36
in. and must meet the requirements in
ANSI Z21.24/CSA 6.10 – Connectors
for Gas Appliances.
Compound used on the threaded joints
of the gas piping must be of the type
resistant to the action of LP gas. Use
compound sparingly on male threads
only.
Where a sediment trap is not
incorporated as part of the appliance,
a sediment trap shall be installed
downstream of the equipment shutoff
valve as close to the inlet of the
appliance as practical at the time the
appliance installation. The sediment
trap shall be either a tee fitting with a
capped nipple in the bottom outlet or
other device recognized as an effective
sediment trap.
DO NOT use excessive force (over
31.5 ft•lbs.) in tightening the pipe joint
at the gas control (thermostat) inlet,
particularly if teflon pipe compound
is used, as the valve body may be
damaged.
The inlet gas pressure to the water
heater must not exceed 14 in. w.c. for
natural gas, or 14 in. w.c. for LP gas.
For purposes of input adjustment, the
minimum inlet gas pressure (with main
burner on) is shown on the water heater
rating plate. If high or low gas pressures
are present, contact your gas supplier
for correction.
WARNING:
Never use an open
flame to test for
gas leaks, as
property damage,
personal injury, or
death could result.
Pressure Testing the Gas Supply System
The water heater and its individual shutoff
valve must be disconnected from the gas
supply piping system during any pressure
testing of that system at test pressures in
excess 1/2 psi (3.5 kPa).
The water heater must be isolated from
the gas supply piping system by closing
its individual manual gas shutoff valve
during any pressure testing of the gas
supply at test pressures equal to or less
than 1/2 psi (3.5 kPa).