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Store Sales In-Home Service (716)
632-3150 (716) 632-1474
5641 MAIN STREET
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. 14221
Flammable Vapor Ignition
Resistant Technology
On July 1, 2003, all residential gas water heater
manufacturers will introduce 30, 40 and 50-gallon atmospheric models with
"Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant" design. Every manufacturer's
design must meet standards and protocols established by the American National
Standards Institute (ANS Z21.10.1). And, while all manufacturers' designs are
unique in some respects, all incorporate the following features:
A Flame Arrestor, located beneath the burner,
designed to permit combustion air to flow up through it to sustain combustion,
but to prevent flames from escaping downward through it in the event of
flammable vapor ignition.
A Thermal
Cutoff switch (TCO), designed to shut the unit down when it senses excessive
temperatures caused by inadequate combustion air inside the combustion chamber.
There are several
FACTS inherent in the Industry's testing protocols for Flammable Vapor Ignition
Resistant Certification that you must keep in mind:
FACTS
- All designs use
Flame Arrestor technology to prevent a back-flow or back draft of
ignited vapors.
- All flame arrestors
are susceptible to lint, dust or oil (LDO) accumulation
in harsh environments.
- All water heaters must
shut down before exceeding Carbon Monoxide (CO) limits to pass
LDO testing.
All
designs have a temperature sensor to shut down the water heater.
An abnormal situation, creating a "shut down" condition, can be
caused by the accumulation of LDO, ignition of flammable vapors,
inadequate make-up air for combustion, or inadequate exhaust venting.
These conditions (except for ignition of flammable vapors) can cause the
burner flame to flatten out and increase the internal temperature of the
water heaters' combustion chamber.
Plumbing companies are able to sell & install the old style water
heaters till stock runs out with still meeting current codes.
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