American Water Heater (A)BCG385T500-8N User Manual

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Servicing should only be performed by a Qualifi ed Service Agent
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
AIR REQUIREMENTS
Carefully review the requirements for combustion and ventilation air in the instruction 
manual that came with the water heater. Failure to meet these requirements when the 
water heater is installed or overlooking their importance when servicing the water heater 
often results in operational problems (some are listed below), needless down time, 
unnecessary parts replacement, and customer dissatisfaction.
Ensure additional air for combustion and ventilation is provided when additional gas fired 
appliances are installed to increase hot water supply in an existing location.
Air Supply
Stoichiometric or theoretical complete combustion requires 10 cubic feet of air per 1,000 
BTUH of gas supplied. The National Fuel Gas Code also recommends an additional 2.5 
cubic feet of “excess” air.  For information on minimum make-up air opening sizes for 
various building installations, refer to the National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54, ANSI Z223.1.
Figure 1
Table 1
NATURAL GAS
PROPANE (LP) GAS
 Maximum Supply Gas Pressure
10” W.C. (2.49 kPa)
12” W.C. (2.99 kPa)
 Minimum Supply Gas Pressure
5.2” W.C. (1.29 kPa)
11” W.C. (2.74 kPa)
*
 Manifold Gas Pressure
3.5” W.C. (0.87 kPa)
10” W.C. (2.49 kPa)
‡ Maximum supply pressure; readings are taken while gas is not fl owing (static pressure) AND while gas is fl owing (dynamic pressure).  
Supply pressure must never exceed this maximum value.
† Minimum supply gas pressure; readings are taken while gas is not fl owing (static pressure) AND while gas is fl owing (dynamic 
pressure).  Supply pressure must never fall below the minimum values.  Supply gas pressures should be measured with all gas fi red 
appliances conencted to a common main fi ring at full capacity.  If supply pressure drops more than 1.5” W.C. as gas begins to fl ow, 
the supply gas system (gas line/regulator) may be restricted or undersized.  See the instruction manual for more information.
* Manifold gas pressure; reading can only be taken while gas is fl owing.  Reading taken should be ± 0.3” W.C. of the listed value.  
These water heaters are certifi ed for use without modifi cation for altitudes up to 10,000 feet.  For elevations above 10,000 feet 
(3,048 meters), see High Altitude Installations section of instruction manual.