Warning – American Water Heater 317994-002 User Manual

Page 11

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11

TABLE 3

BTUH Input

Minimum

Square

Feet with

8’ Ceiling

Typical Room

with 8’ Ceiling

30,000

188

9 x 21

45,000

281

14 x 20

60,000

375

15 x 25

75,000

469

15 x 31

90,000

563

20 x 28

105,000

657

20 x 33

120,000

750

25 x 30

135,000

844

28 x 30

IMPORTANT:

The area must be open and be able to provide the

proper air requirements to the water heater. Areas that

are being used for storage or contain large objects

may not be suitable for water heater installation.

Water heaters installed in open spaces in buildings

with unusually tight construction may still require out-

door air to function properly. In this situation, outside

air openings should be sized the same as for a con-

fined space.

Modern home construction usually requires supplying

outside air into the water heater area.

Confined Space

For the correct and proper operation of this water heater,

ample air must be supplied for the combustion, ventilation,

and dilution of flue gases. Small enclosures and confined

areas must have two permanent openings so that sufficient

fresh air can be drawn from outside of the enclosure. One

opening shall be within 12 inches of the top and one within

12 inches of the bottom of the enclosure as shown in

Figure 4.
The size of each opening (free area) is determined by the

total BTUH input of all gas utilization equipment (i.e., water

heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, etc.) and the method by

which the air is provided. The BTUH input can be found

on the water heater rating plate. Additional air can be

provided by two methods:

1. All air from inside the building.
2. All air from outdoors.

COMBUSTION AIR & VENTILATION

WARNING

Carbon Monoxide Warning

Water heater must be vented to outdoors.
Vent must be installed by a qualified technician using
the installation instructions.
Examples of a qualified technican include: gas
technicians, authorized gas company personel, and
authorized service persons.
Failure to so do can result in death or carbon monoxide
poisoning.

IMPORTANT: Air for combustion and ventilation must not

come from a corrosive atmosphere. Any failure due to

corrosive elements in the atmosphere is excluded from

warranty coverage.
The following types of installation (not limited to the

following) will require outdoor air for combustion due to

chemical exposure and may reduce but not eliminate the

presence of corrosive chemicals in the air:
• beauty

shops

photo processing labs

buildings with indoor pools

water heaters installed in laundry, hobby, or craft

rooms

water heaters installed near chemical storage areas

Combustion air must be free of acid-forming chemicals such

as sulfur, fluorine, and chlorine. These elements are found

in aerosol sprays, detergents, bleaches, cleaning solvents,

air fresheners, paint, and varnish removers, refrigerants,

and many other commercial and household products. When

burned, vapors from these products form highly corrosive acid

compounds. These products should not be stored or used

near the water heater or air inlet.
Combustion and ventilation air requirements are determined

by the location of the water heater. The water heater may

be located in either an open (unconfined) area or in a

confined area or small enclosure such as a closet or small

room. Confined spaces are areas with less than 50 cubic

feet for each 1,000 BTUH of the total input for all gas-using

appliances.

Unconfined Space

A water heater in an unconfined space uses indoor air for

combustion and requires at least 50 cubic feet for each

1,000 BTUH of the total input for all gas appliances. The

table below shows a few examples of the minimum square

footage (area) required for various BTUH inputs.

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