A.O. Smith FMD 40 Manual Do Utilizador

23

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 fl ow must not be obstructed.

2.  Damage or deterioration which could cause improper venting or 

leakage of combustion products.

3.  Rusted fl akes around top of water heater.

Be sure the vent piping is properly connected to prevent escape of 
dangerous fl ue gasses which could cause deadly asphyxiation.

Obstructions and deteriorated vent systems may present serious 
health risk or asphyxiation.

Chemical vapor corrosion of the fl 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 the vent system you found sooting or 
deterioration, something is wrong.  Call the local gas utility to 
correct the problem and clean or replace the fl ue and venting before 
resuming operation of the water heater.

Flood damage to a water heater may not be readily visible or 
immediately detectable. However, over a period of time a fl ooded 
water heater will create dangerous conditions which can cause 
DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. 
Contact a qualified installer or service agency to replace a 
fl 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 37.  

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 fi re causing death, serious injury, or property damage.

           

In the event your burner needs cleaning, follow these instructions:

If inspection of the burner shows that cleaning is required, turn the 
gas control knob clockwise ( 

 ) to the “OFF” position, depressing 

slightly.

The burner needs to be removed for cleaning. Call  a service agency 
to remove and clean the burner and correct the problem that required 
the burner to be cleaned.

Vacuum around base of water heater for dust, dirt, and lint on a 
regular basis.

INSTALLED IN SUITABLE AREA: To ensure suffi cient  ventilation 
and combustion air supply, proper clearances from the water heater 
must be maintained.  See “Locating the New Water Heater” section.  
Combustible materials such as clothing, cleaning materials, or 
fl ammable liquids, etc. must not be placed against or adjacent to 
the water heater which can cause a fi re.