Kenmore 153.331761 Manual

A SERVICE OF

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9

FactstoConsiderAbouttheLocation

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 economical

use of the appliance. Thiswaterheaterisnotforusein

manufactured(mobile)homesoroutdoorinstallation.

Whether replacing an old water heater or putting the water heater

in a new location, the following critical points must be observed:

• Selectalocationindoorsascloseaspracticaltothegas

vent or chimney to which the water heater vent is going to be

connected, and as centralized with the water piping system

as possible.

• Selectedlocationmustprovideadequateclearancesfor

servicing and proper operation of the water heater.

Installation of the water heater must be accomplished in such a

mannerthatifthetankoranyconnectionsshouldleak,theow

will not cause damage to the structure. For this reason, it is not

advisabletoinstallthewaterheaterinanatticorupperoor.When

such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable metal drain pan should

be installed under the water heater. Metal drain pans are available

at your local Sears or hardware store. Such a metal drain pan must

have a minimum length and width of at least 2 inches (51 mm)

greater that the water heater dimensions and must be piped to an

adequatedrain.Thepanmustnotrestrictcombustionairow.

Water heater life depends upon water quality, water pressure

and the environment in which the water heater is installed. Water

heaters are sometimes installed in locations where leakage may

result in property damage, even with the use of a metal drain pan

piped to a drain. However, unanticipated damage can be reduced

or prevented by a leak detector or water shut-off device used

in conjunction with a piped metal drain pan. These devices are

available from some plumbing supply wholesalers and retailers,

and detect and react to leakage in various ways:

•Sensorsmountedinthemetaldrainpanthattriggeranalarm

or turn off the incoming water to the water heater when leakage

is detected.

•Sensorsmountedinthemetaldrainpanthatturnoffthewater

supply to the entire home when water is detected in the metal

drain pan.

•Watersupplyshut-offdevicesthatactivatebasedonthewater

pressure differential between the cold water and hot water pipes

connected to the water heater.

•Devicesthatwillturnoffthegassupplytoagaswaterheater

while at the same time shutting off its water supply.

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.]

andothersubstancessuchasadhesives,etc.)emitammable

vaporswhichcanbeignitedbyagaswaterheater’spilotlightor

mainburner.Theresultingashbackandre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ameandmainburner

ameareelevatedfromtheooratleast18inches.Whilethismay

reducethechancesofammablevapors,fromaoorspillbeing

ignited,gasolineandotherammablesubstancesshouldneverbe

stored or used in the same room or area containing a gas water

heaterorotheropenameorsparkproducingappliance.NOTE:

Flammable vapors may be drawn by air currents from other areas

of the structure to the appliance.

Also, the water heater must be located and/or protected so it is

not subject to physical damage by a moving vehicle.