A.O. Smith BL-80 - Periodic Maintenance; Venting System Inspection; Burner Inspection and Cleaning; Housekeeping Recommendations

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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
VENTING SYSTEM INSPECTION
Atleastonceayearavisualinspectionshouldbemadeoftheventing
system.Youshouldlookfor:
1.Obstructions which could cause improper venting. The
 combustionandventilationairowmustnotbeobstructed.
2. Damage or deterioration which could cause improper venting
 orleakageofcombustionproducts.
3. Rustedakesaroundtopofwaterheater.
Besurethe vent pipingis properly connected toprevent escape
ofdangerousuegaseswhichcouldcausedeadlyasphyxiation.
Obstructionsanddeteriorated vent systemsmaypresent serious
health risk or asphyxiation.
Chemicalvaporcorrosion oftheueandventsystemmayoccur
ifairforcombustioncontainscertainchemicalvapors.Spraycan
propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerator and air conditioner
refrigerants,swimmingpoolchemicals,calciumandsodiumchloride,
waxes,bleachandprocesschemicalsaretypicalcompoundswhich
arepotentiallycorrosive.
Ifafterinspectionofventsystemyoufoundsootingordeterioration,
somethingiswrong.Callthelocalgasutilitytocorrectproblemand
cleanorreplacetheueandventingbeforeresumingoperationof
water heater.
BURNER INSPECTION
Flood damage to a water heater may not be readily visible or
immediatelydetectable.However,overaperiodoftimeaooded
water heater will create dangerous conditions which can cause
DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Contactaqualiedinstallerorservicetechniciantoreplaceaooded
waterheater.Donotattempttorepairtheunit!Itmustbereplaced!
Atleastonceayearavisualinspectionshouldbemadeofthemain
burnerandpilotburner,seeFigure19.Inspectburneramesthrough
viewport.Flamesshouldbeverysmallwithabluehazeandsmall
amountsofyellowororangeattheedges.Afterseveralminutesof
operationtheburnerscreenmayglowred.
Youshould check for sooting. Soot is not normal and will impair
propercombustion.
Sootbuild-upindicatesaproblemthatrequirescorrectionbefore
furtheruse.Turn“OFF”gastowaterheaterandleaveoffuntil
repairs are made, because failure to correct the cause of the
sooting can result in a re causing death, serious injury, or
propertydamage.
Flame Characteristics
Correct Flame
Red/Orange
FIGURE 19.
Natural Gas (Low Nox)
Burner Door Assembly
Use brush on this surface
Burner Pilot Assembly
FIGURE 20.
BURNER CLEANING
Ifinspectionoftheburnershowsthatcleaningisrequired,turn
the gas control knob clockwise (
 ) tothe “OFF” position,
depressingslightly.
NOTE: The knob cannot be turned from “PILOT” to “OFF”
unless knob is depressed slightly. DO NOT FORCE.
Checktheburnertoseeifit’sdirtyorclogged.Theburnermaybe
cleanedwithasoftpaintbrush,seeFigure20.Donotuseawire
brushoranytoolthatmaydamagetheburnerscreen.Important:Do
notusetheburneriftheburnerscreenisdamaged.NOTE:Damage
mayberipsorholesintheburnerscreen.Discolorationisnormal.
HOUSEKEEPING
Fire and Explosion Hazard
Do not obstruct combustion air
openings at the bottom of the
water heater.
Do not use or store flammable vapor
products such as gasoline, solvents
or adhesives in the same room or area
near water heater or other appliance.
Can cause serious injury or death.
Vacuum around base of water heater fordust, dirt, and lint on a
regularbasis.