6 720 608 643
Installation instructions
15
3.11 Combustion air requirements
Twin pipe
The GWH C 800 ES is designed as a sealed
combustion appliance. It is recommended that the
combustion air be provided by a dedicated 3” or 4” pipe
from the outside. The combustion air pipe may be PVC
or any other rigid or semi rigid sealed 3” or 4” pipe. The
combustion air piping must pitch down 1/4 inch per
foot towards termination to prevent rain water from
entering the appliance. The combustion air inlet,
whether terminating vertically or horizontally, must be
located in such a manner as to provide a
minimum 3 foot clearance from the exhaust vent
terminator. See Fig. 36 Letter I, page 24.
The maximum length of the combustion air inlet
is 26 feet with one elbow. Subtract 5 feet for each
additional 90° elbow and 3 feet for each
additional 45° elbow. Maximum number of 90°
elbows permitted is 3.
Single pipe
Note: This appliance requires 9950 cubic feet of
available combustion air, or a minimum of 1243 square
feet of space with an 8 foot ceiling to operate. If the
large amount of air space, which equates to about half
of most average sized homes, is not available, the
appliance must pull air from the outside (see twin pipe
above).
Although it is permissible to draw combustion air from
the inside, it is not the manufacturer’s recommended
installation method. Always install a 3 inch 90° elbow on
the top of the combustion air inlet adaptor to prevent
foreign objects from falling into the unit.
If a single pipe installation is utilized, follow guidelines
below for providing adequate combustion air for the
water heater as well as any other appliances that may
consume air in the same space. Always follow local
codes if they are more stringent and regulations.
•Appliances located in unconfined spaces:
–a) An unconfined space is one whose volume is
greater than 50 cubic feet (1.42 cubic meter) per
1000 Btu per hour (292.81 Watts) of the
combined rating of all appliances installed in the
space. That would be 9950 cubic feet (281.8
cubic meters) for the GWH C 800 ES alone.
–b) In unconfined spaces in buildings of
conventional frame, masonry, or metal
construction, infiltration air is normally adequate to
provide air for combustion.
•Appliances located in confined spaces:
The confined space must be provided with two per-
manent openings, one commencing within 12 inches
(304.8mm) of the top and one commencing within
12 inches (304.8mm) of the bottom of the enclosure.
Each opening must have a minimum free area of one
square inch per:
– 1000 Btu/hr (292.81 Watts) if all air is taken from
inside the building
– 2000 Btu/hr (585.62 Watts) if all air is taken from
the outside by horizontal ducts
– 4000 Btu/hr (1171.24 Watts)if all air is taken from
the outside by direct openings or vertical ducts
Or the confined space must be provided with one
permanent opening or duct that is within 12 inches
(304.8mm) of the ceiling of the enclosure. This opening
must have a minimum free area of one square inch per:
– 3000 Btu/hr (878.43 Watts) if all air is taken from
the outside by a direct opening or vertical duct.
Louvers, grills and screens have a blocking effect, when
used, increase the sizes of your openings by 300% for
wood louvers (as wood type will reduce the free air by
75%) and 43% for metal louvers (as metal will reduce
the free air by 30%). Refer to the National Fuel Gas
Code for complete information. In buildings of tight
construction all air should be taken from outside.
Warning: In areas where outside
temperatures commonly fall below
36°F (2°C), the appliance must be
installed with combustion air being
drawn in from the outdoors using
twin pipe or concentric piping.
Failure to do so may result in cold
outside air being drawn in through the
venting system due to a negative
pressure in the house and across the
heat exchanger coil, causing it to freeze
and burst. This failure is not covered
under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Warning: When installed in an
environment where corrosive chemicals
or dirty air are present the twin pipe
system is required.
Warning: Terminations must prevent
rain and debris from entering the
combustion air and exhaust vent piping.