Reliance Water Heaters 184123-000 - Manual (Page 7)

Facts to Consider About the
Location
This manufactured home gas-fired water heater is for use
in a manufactured home.You should carefully choose an
indoor location for the new water heater, because the
placement is a very important consideration for the safety
of the occupants in the building and for the most economi-
cal use of the appliance. This water heater is for use only
in manufactured homes and is not intended for outdoor
installation.
The installation of this water heater must be within an
enclosure so as to separate the appliance combustion sys-
tem and venting system from the interior atmosphere of
the manufactured home. There shall not be any door,
removable access panel, or other opening into the enclo-
sure from the inside of the manufactured home.
Whether replacing an old water heater or putting the water
heater in a new location, the following critical points must
be observed.
1. An enclosure with an exterior access door incorporat-
ing a single opening positioned a maximum of 6 inches
above the lower edge of the access door and which
may incorporate either 1 /
4
inch wire mesh or louvers.
When 1 /
4
inch wire mesh is used, the size of the open-
ing must be a minimum of 20 square inches. When the
louvers are used, the area must be a minimum of 20
square inches. (See figure 1, page 6)
2. An optional enclosure incorporating a solid exterior
access door, when a 5 inch or 8 inch diameter, or 20
square inch minimum equivalent free air opening is
located in the floor of the enclosure. The opening must
be covered by a 1 /
4
inch wire mesh. (See figure 2, page 6)
Install water heater into closet so as to have 1 inch mini-
mum clearance at sides and back. Clearance of 4 inches is
needed to front to accommodate the gas control valve.
(See Figure 3) Be sure to allow adequate clearance for ser-
vicing the water heater and for access to the piping and
temperature-pressure relief valve.
The water heater should be secured to the floor and to the
wall of the enclosure with the mounting brackets provided.
For bracket location refer to “Securing Water Heater to
Floor and Wall” in the “Installing the New Water Heater”
section.
When a manufactured home is skirted, an air intake open-
ing with a minimum free area of 32 square inches must be
provided in the skirt. Other gas fired appliances in the
home will require additional free air openings; consult
these manufacturers for correct sizing.
If the opening is covered by louvers or screen, the total
free area must be 32 square inches.
Locating the New Water Heater
When a drain pan is required, an exterior door with lou-
vered openings must be used as shown in figure 1, page 6.
INSTALLATION
CLEARANCES
TOP VIEW
1 ″″ MIN.
1 ″″ MIN.
4 ″″ MIN.
1 ″″ MIN.
NOTE: DOOR MUST BE
ON OUTSIDE WALL OF
MANUFACTURED
HOME.
Figure 3
7
WARNING
INSTALLATIONS IN AREAS WHERE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
(VAPORS) ARE LIKELY TO BE PRESENT OR STORED
(GARAGES, STORAGE AND UTILITY AREAS, ETC):
Flammable liquids (such as gasoline, solvents, propane (LP)
or butane, etc.) or other substances (such as adhesives, etc.),
all of which emit flammable vapors, may be improperly
stored or used in such areas. The gas water heater pilot light
or main burner can ignite such vapors. The resulting flash-
back and fire can cause death or serious burns to anyone in
the area, as well as property damage.
If installation in such areas is your only option, then the
installation must be accomplished in a way that the pilot
flame and main burner flame are elevated from the floor at
least 18 inches. While this may reduce the chances of
flammable vapors from a floor spill being ignited, gasoline
and other flammable substances should never be stored or
used in the same room or area containing a gas water heater
or other open flame or spark producing appliance.
Also, the water heater must be located and/or protected so it
is not subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.
NOTE: Flammable vapors may be drawn by air currents from
other areas of the structure to the appliance.
CAUTION
WATER HEATERS EVENTUALLY LEAK: Installation of the
water heater must be accomplished in such a manner that
if the tank or any connections should leak, the flow of
water will not cause damage to the structure. When such
locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drain pan should
be installed under the water heater. Drain pans are avail-
able at your local hardware store. Such a drain pan must
be not greater than 1 1 ⁄
2
inches deep, have a minimum
length and width of at least 2 inches greater than the water
heater dimensions and must be piped to an adequate drain.
The pan must not restrict combustion air flow.
WARNING
Propellants of aerosol sprays and volatile compounds,
(cleaners, chlorine based chemicals, refrigerants, etc.) in
addition to being highly flammable in many cases, will
also change to corrosive hydrochloric acid when exposed
to the combustion products of the water heater. The
results can be hazardous, and also cause product failure.