State SSE-120 - Manual (Page 9)

9
For safe operation of the water heater, the temperature and pressure
relief valve must not be removed from its designated opening nor
plugged. The temperature-pressure relief valve must be installed
directly into the fitting of the water heater designed for the relief valve.
Install discharge piping so that any discharge will exit only within 6
inches (15.2 cm) above, or at any distance below the structural floor.
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 feet (9.14 m), 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 relief valve
and the tank. Do not connect discharge piping directly to the drain
unless a 6” (15.2 cm) 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 flow may cause property damage.
The Discharge Pipe:
• 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 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.
• Shall terminate a maximum of six inches above a floor 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.
The temperature-pressure relief valve must be manually operated
at least once a year. Caution should be taken to ensure that (1) no
one is in front of or around the outlet of the temperature-pressure
relief valve 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.
If you do not understand these instructions or have any questions
regarding the temperature-pressure relief valve call the toll free number
listed on the back cover of this manual for technical assistance.
Once the water heater is installed and filled with water, check
the operation of the temperature-pressure relief valve. Follow the
instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual.
water lIne connectIons
This manual provides detailed piping installation diagrams (see
back section of this manual) for typical methods of application.
For the heater inlet and outlet connections, di-electric unions are
recommended. The water heater may be installed by itself, or
with a separate storage tank, on both single and two-temperature
systems. When used with a separate storage tank, the circulation
may be either by gravity or by means of a circulating pump. When
a circulating pump is used it is important to note that the flow rate
should be slow so that there will be a minimum of turbulence inside
the heater.
closed water systeMs
Water supply systems may, because of code requirements or such
conditions as high line pressure, among others, have installed devices
such as pressure reducing valves, check valves, and back flow
preventers. Devices such as these cause the water system to be a
closed system.
therMal eXpansIon
As water is heated, it expands (thermal expansion). In a closed
system the volume of water will grow when it is heated. As the
volume of water grows there will be a corresponding increase in
water pressure due to thermal expansion. Thermal expansion can
cause premature tank failure (leakage). This type of failure is not
covered under the limited warranty. Thermal expansion can also
cause intermittent temperature pressure relief valve operation:
water discharged from the valve due to excessive pressure build
up. This condition is not covered under the limited warranty. The
temperature-pressure relief valve is not intended for the constant
relief of thermal expansion.
A properly sized thermal expansion tank should be installed on all
closed systems to control the harmful effects of thermal expansion.
Contact a local plumbing service agency to have a thermal
expansion tank installed.