7
Location
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
with local codes.
Diameter of water
heater plus 2 in.
(5.1 cm) min.
Max.
2.75 in.
(7 cm)
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.
Notice: DO NOT allow the
flammable vapor sensor to
become submerged in water.
Make sure the catch pan is
properly drained.
Flammable
Vapor
Sensor
Notice: DO NOT allow the
catch pan to obstuct the
flammable vapor sensor.
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 water heater must be centered in the
catch pan.
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 sufficient-
ly support the weight of the water heater
once it is filled with water.
This gas-fired water heater or any other
appliance should not be installed in a
space where liquids which give off flam-
mable vapors are to be used or stored.
Such liquids include gasoline, LP gas
(butane or propane), paint or adhesives,
thinners, solvents and/or combustible
removers.
DO NOT obstruct or block the Flammable
Vapor Sensor.
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 main burner
can ignite these vapors creating a shut
down condition which will not allow the
water heater to ignite.
Rheem Water Heating FVIR certified gas
water heaters can be installed on a residen-
tial garage floor without the use of an 18
in. (46 cm.) stand in accordance with the
National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/
NFPA 54, 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.
● We recommend this water heater be
installed in locations where the ambient
temperatures do not exceed 100°F
(38°C).
IMPORTANT: Do not install the water
heater in a location where it may be
subjected to ambient temperatures
exceeding 125°F (52°C).
● The water heater should be installed so
as to minimize the length of plastic vent
and combustion air-inlet pipe and the
number of vent and combustion air-inlet
connection fittings required.
● See Vent and Combustion Air-Inlet
Section for vent system requirements.
● Hot water lines should be insulated to
conserve water and energy.
● Protect the water heater and water lines
from exposure to freezing temperatures.
● DO NOT install this water heater out-
doors.
● Minimum clearances from combustible
construction:
FrontV
Sides Rear
TopVV
5 in.
(12.7 cm)
0 in.
(0 cm)
0 in.
(0 cm)
12 in.
(30.5 cm)
V "Front" Clearance dimension is mea-
sured from the water heater jacket to
the closet door.
VV "Top" clearance dimension is mea-
sured from the jacket top of the water
heater to the ceiling.
● If the water heater is to be installed
directly on carpeting, the water heater
shall be installed on a metal or wood
panel extending beyond the full width
and depth of the water heater by at least
3 in. (7.6 cm) in all directions or, if
the water heater is to be installed in an
alcove or closet, the entire floor must be
covered by a wood or metal panel.