A.O. Smith FMD 40 Manuale Utente

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Excessive condensation may be noticed during the winter and 
early spring months when incoming water temperatures are at their 
lowest.
Good venting is essential for a gas fi red water heater to operate 
properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and water 
vapor.
SMOKE / ODOR
It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and odor 
during the initial start-up.  This is due to burning off of oil from metal 
parts, and will disappear in a short while.
THERMAL EXPANSION
As water is heated, it expands (thermal expansion). In a closed 
system, the volume of water will grow. 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. The temperature-
pressure relief valve is not intended for the constant relief of 
thermal expansion. This condition is not covered under the limited 
warranty.
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.
STRANGE SOUNDS
Possible noises due to expansion and contraction of some metal 
parts during periods of heat-up and cool-down do not necessarily 
represent harmful or dangerous conditions.
Condensation causes sizzling and popping within the burner area 
during heating and cooling periods and should be considered normal.  
See “Condensation” in this section.
OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS
SMELLY WATER
In each water heater there is installed at least one anode rod (see 
parts sections) for corrosion protection of the tank.  Certain water 
conditions will cause a reaction between this rod and the water.  
The most common complaint associated with the anode rod is one 
of a “rotten egg smell” in the hot water.  This odor is derived from 
hydrogen sulfi de gas dissolved in the water.  The smell is the result 
of four factors which must all be present for the odor to develop:
a.  A concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
b.  Little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.
c.  A sulfate reducing bacteria which has accumulated within the 
water heater (this harmless bacteria is nontoxic to humans).
d.  An excess of active hydrogen in the tank.  This is caused by the 
corrosion protective action of the anode.
Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater 
models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active material, 
and then chlorinating the water heater tank and all hot water lines.  
Contact the local water heater supplier or service agency for 
further information concerning an Anode Replacement Kit and this 
chlorination treatment.
If the smelly water persists after the anode replacement and 
chlorination treatment, we can only suggest that chlorination or 
aeration of the water supply be considered to eliminate the water 
problem.
Do not remove the anode leaving the tank unprotected.  By doing 
so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
“AIR” IN HOT WATER FAUCETS
HYDROGEN GAS: Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water 
system that has not been used for a long period of time (generally 
two weeks or more).  Hydrogen gas is extremely fl ammable  and 
explosive.  To prevent the possibility of injury under these conditions, 
we recommend the hot water faucet, located farthest away, be 
opened for several minutes before any electrical appliances 
which are connected to the hot water system are used (such as a 
dishwasher or washing machine).  If hydrogen gas is present, there 
will probably be an unusual sound similar to air escaping through the 
pipe as the hot water faucet is opened.  There must be no smoking 
or open fl ame near the faucet at the time it is open.
HIGH WATER TEMPERATURE SHUT OFF SYSTEM
This water heater is equipped with an automatic gas Shut-off system.  
This system works when high water temperatures are present. 
Turn “OFF” the entire gas supply to the water heater.  The high 
temperature Shut-off is built into the gas control valve/thermostat.  
It is non-resettable.  If the high temperature Shut-off activates, the 
gas control valve/thermostat must be replaced. Contact a qualifi ed 
technician.