Instructions / Assembly

Combustion Air Inlet
Openings
Installing the water heater.
This water heater must be installed in accordance with these instructions, local codes, utility company
requirements, and/or in the absence of local codes, use the latest edition of the American National
Standard/National Fuel Gas Code. A copy can be purchased from either the American Gas Association,
400 N. Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 as ANSI standard Z223.1 or National Fire Protection
Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 as booklet NFPA 54.
The auxiliary catch pan
installation MUST conform
to local codes.
Diameter of
water heater
plus 2” min.
Max.
2”
WARNING: Combustible
construction refers to
adjacent walls and ceilings
and should not be confused
with combustible or
flammable products and
materials. Combustible
and/or flammable products
and materials should never
be stored in the vicinity of
this or any gas appliance.
Rear
Sides
Front Open
Sides
Front Enclosed
Top View Closet
Top View Alcove
Rear
7
Location
The water heater should not be located in
an area where leakage from the tank or
connections will result in damage to the area
adjacent to the heater or to lower floors of
the structure.
When such areas cannot be avoided it is
recommended that a suitable catch pan,
adequately drained, must be installed under
the water heater.
The pan must not restrict air flow to the
combustion air inlet openings (perforation
openings) located around the lower perimeter
of the water heater.
Catch pan kits are available from the store where
the water heater was purchased, or any water
heater distributor.
Make certain the floor underneath the water
heater is strong enough to
sufficiently support the weight of the water
heater once it is filled with water.
A gas fired water heater or any other appliance
should not be installed
in a space where liquids which give off
flammable vapors are to be used or stored.
Such liquids include gasoline, LP gas (butane or
propane), paint or adhesives and their thinners,
solvents or removers.
When installed in a closet, DO NOT block
or obstruct any of the combustion air inlet
openings located around the perimeter of the
water heater. A minimum of 1” is required
between these combustion air inlet openings
and any obstruction.
Because of natural air movement in a room or
other enclosed space, flammable vapors can
be carried some distance from where liquids
which give off flammable vapors are to be
used or stored. The open flame of the water
heater’s pilot or main burner can ignite these
vapors and create a shut down condition of the
water heater which will not allow the water
heater to ignite until examined by a Qualified
Service Technician.
Rheem Water Heating FVIR certified gas water
heaters can be installed on a residential garage
floor without the use of an 18-inch stand in
accordance with the National Fuel Gas Code,
NFPA 54, ANSI Z223.1 2006, paragraph 9.1.10
Installation in Residential Garages, unless
otherwise directed by State and Local code
requirements. The water heater must be located
so it is not subject to physical damage, for
example, by moving vehicles, area flooding, etc
● The water heater should be installed as close
as practical to the gas vent or chimney.
● Long hot water lines should be insulated to
conserve water and energy.
● The water heater and water lines should
be protected from exposure to freezing
temperatures.
● Do not install the water heater in bathrooms,
bedrooms, any occupied rooms normally kept
closed, or in unprotected outdoor areas.
● Minimum clearance from combustible
construction:
Location Capacity
(Gal.)
Front
(In.)
Sides
(In.)
Rear
(In.)
Top
(In.)
Alcove
98 3
1 0 12
48,63,75
3
0 0 12
Closet
All
3 1 0 12
If the clearances stated on the Instruction/
Warning Label, located on the front of
the heater differ, install the water heater
according to the clearances stated on the
label.
● If the water heater is installed in an alcove or
closet, the entire floor must be covered by a
wood or metal panel.
● The water heater may be installed on
combustible floors, but not directly on
carpeting. If the water heater must be
installed on carpeting, place a metal or wood
panel beneath the water heater, extending
beyond its full width and depth at least 5” in
all directions.
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