Bradford White Defender Safety System 238-48248-00 Configuration guide

238-48248-00A 10/09
PE MODEL WATER HEATERS
SUPPLEMENT TO INSTRUCTION MANUAL
P/N 238-44219-00
(Replaces pg. 2 in instruction manual.)
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have just purchased one of the finest water heaters on the market today!
This installation, operation and instruction manual will explain in detail the installation
and maintenance of your new Programmable Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant Gas
Water Heater. We strongly recommend that you contact a plumbing professional for
the installation of this water heater.
We require that you carefully read this manual, as well as the enclosed warranty, and
refer to it when questions arise. If you have any specific questions concerning your
warranty, please consult the plumbing professional from whom your water heater was
purchased. For your records, we recommend that you write the model, serial number
and installation date of your water heater in the maintenance section in the back of this
manual.
Special Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant System:
This water heater is equipped with a Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant System. In
the event of improper usage or storage of gasoline or other flammable materials in the
location where the water heater is installed, the technology will resist ignition of the
flammable vapors outside the confines of the water heater.
The Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant System Features:
•Advanced Flame Arrestor Design
•Re-settable Thermal Switch to prevent burner/pilot operation with restricted
airflow
•Flammable Vapor Sensor
•Automatic Ignition Device
•Sight Window to observe operation of pilot and burner
FOR YOUR SAFETY: Activation of the Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant System
occurs when flammable vapors are drawn into the water heater and are combusted. If
flammable vapors are detected:
•Do not try to light any appliance.
•Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use any phone in your building.
•Leave the premises and immediately call the fire department from a
neighbor’s phone. Follow the fire department’s instructions.
Once the flammable vapor has been evacuated, contact your plumbing professional or
the manufacturer for further instructions. Replacement of a Flammable Vapor Ignition
Resistant System equipped water heater due to a flammable vapor shutdown is not
covered under the terms of the limited warranty.

2
Minimum Clearances
(Replaces pg. 9 in instruction manual.)
WARNING
Failure to adhere to these installation and operating instructions may create a hazard to
life and property and will nullify the warranty.
This installation must allow access to the front of the water heater and adequate
clearance must be provided for servicing and operating this water heater. The water
heater may be installed on either a combustible or non-combustible floor. If the water
heater is to be installed directly on carpeting, it must be installed on top of a metal or
wood panel (or equivalent) extending beyond the full width and depth of the water
heater by at least 3 in. (7.6 cm) in any direction or, if the appliance is to be installed in
an alcove or closet, the entire floor must be covered by the panel. If the rating plate or
the label on the front of the heater specifies minimum clearances less than those listed
in the below table, the water heater must be installed in accordance with the minimum
clearances listed on the rating plate or the label on the front of the heater.
If it is necessary to install this water heater in an alcove, use the clearances listed in
Figure 1.
Figure 1. Minimum Clearances for an Alcove Installation.

3
Lighting and Shutdown Instructions
(Replaces pg. 18 in instruction manual.)
to light the pilot by hand.
A. This appliance is equipped with an ignition device
which automatically lights the pilot. Do not try
FOR YOUR SAFETY READ BEFORE
WARNING: If you do not follow these instructions exactly, a fire or explosion
may result causing property damage, personal injury or loss of life.
If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the
fire department.
B. BEFORE OPERATING smell all around the
ance area for gas. Be sure to smell next to the
floor because some gas is heavier than air and
Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use
neighbor's phone. Follow the gas supplier's
TO TURN OFF GAS TO APPLIANCE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
will settle to the
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS
Do not try to light any appliance.
instructions
any phone in your building.
Immediately call your gas supplier from a
C. Use only your hand to slide the gas control switch.
Never use tools. If the switch cannot be moved by
hand, do not try to repair it, call a service
technician. Force or attempted repair may result in
D. Do not use this appliance if any part has been
under water. Immediately call a qualified
technician to inspect the appliance and to replace
any part of the control system and any gas
control which has been under water.
a fire or
Appliance" and call your
gas valve down to the "OFF" position
5. Slide the switch on the right side of the
technician or gas
the pilot by hand.
3. Set the thermostat to lowest setting.
2. Turn off all electric power to the
1. STOP! Read the safety information above.
lights the pilot. Do not try to light
ignition device which
4. This appliance is equipped with an
appliance Smell for gas, including near the floor.
the instructions "To Turn Off Gas To
10. If the appliance will not operate, follow
If you the smell gas, STOP! Follow
"B" in the safety information at left on
this label. If you don't smell gas, go to
7. Slide the switch on the right side of the
gas valve up to the "ON" position.
8. Set thermostat to desired setting.
9. Turn on all electric power to the appliance.
the next step.
6. Wait five (5) minutes to clear out any gas.
1. Turn off all electric power to the
appliance if service is to be
2. Set the thermostat to the lowest setting.
3. Slide the switch on the right side of the
gas valve down to the "OFF" position.
HO
T
LOW
HO
T
VERY
SWITCH SHOWN
IN "ON" POSITION
ABC
T
HERMOSTA
T
DIAL
ON
OF
F
STATUS
Honeywell

4
THERMOSTAT ADJUSTMENT
(Replaces pg. 19 in instruction manual.)
The thermostat dial is adjusted to its lowest setting when shipped from the factory.
When adjusting the thermostat, it should be remembered that lower temperature
settings are more energy efficient. To adjust the thermostat, turn the dial clockwise until
the minimum acceptable temperature is set. It is suggested that the starting point
setting not exceed the 120°F (49°C) or “HOT” setting on the thermostat.
HOT
LOW
HOT
VERY
SWITCH SHOWN
IN "ON" POSITION
A
B
C
THERMOSTAT
DIAL
ON
OFF
STATUS
Honeywell
Figure 2. Gas Valve.
The thermostat dial is set to its lowest temperature setting when shipped from the
factory. Remember that lower temperature settings are more energy efficient. Adjust
the temperature by turning the thermostat dial. It is suggested that the starting point
setting not be greater than the “Hot” mark on the thermostat dial (approximately 120°F
[48.9°C]). Rotate the thermostat dial counter-clockwise to decrease the
temperature setting. Rotate the thermostat dial clockwise to increase the
temperature setting. Adjust the dial until the minimum acceptable temperature is
achieved.
DANGER
Hotter water increases the risk of scald injury. Scalding may occur within five (5)
seconds at a temperature setting of 140°F (60
° C). To protect against hot water injury,
install an ASSE approved mixing valve in the water system. This valve will reduce
point of discharge temperature by mixing cold and hot water in branch water lines. A
licensed plumbing professional or local plumbing authority should be consulted.
Note: This water heater is equipped with an energy cut out device to prevent
overheating. Should overheating occur or the gas supply fails to shut off, turn off the
manual gas control valve to the water heater, and call a qualified service technician.
Note: Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, condensate will form on the
cool tank surface and drops of water will fall on the hot burner and combustion
chamber surfaces producing a “sizzling” noise. Condensation is normal and does not
indicate a leak. It will disappear when the tank becomes heated.

5
BURNER FLAME CHECK
(Replaces pg. 22 in instruction manual.)
Steel Burner: These models are equipped with self adjusting air mixture and do not
have an adjustable air shutter (See Figure 3). At periodic intervals, a visual check of
the main burner and pilot flames should be made to determine
if they are burning properly. The main burner flame should light smoothly from the
pilot.
Figure 3. Burner and Pilot Assembly Used.

6
INSTALLATION FOR POTABLE WATER
(Replaces pg. 28 in instruction manual.)
Figure 4

7
PARTS LIST DRAWING
(Replaces pg. 29 in instruction manual.)
Figure 5
1
3
4
5
67
8
9
10
12
13
14
15
16
15
A
19
20
21
22
23
24 25
27
28
11
26
2
18
17

8
PARTS LIST
(Replaces pg. 30 in instruction manual.)
PART NAME AND DESCRIPTION
1. Draft hood 15A. Resettable Thermal Switch
2. Setback Control Junction Box Assembly 16. Left side inner door
3. Jacket head 17. Accessory Module
4. Jacket 18. Junction box wire harness
5. Heat trap (outlet) 19. Thermal well
6. Anode Outlet Device 20. Gas control
7. Heat trap (inlet) 21. FV sensor / RTS wire harness
8. Baffle 22. FV sensor clip
9. Diptube 23. FV sensor
10. T&P valve 24. Outer door
11. Tank 25. Burner
12. Combustion chamber 26. Orifice
13. Pedestal base 27. Pilot assembly
14. Drain valve 28. Main burner feedline
15. Right side inner door

9
THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR INSTALLATION
OF:
GAS WATER HEATERS SUITABLE FOR WATER (POTABLE)
HEATING AND SPACE HEATING
(Replaces pg. 31 in instruction manual.)
All piping components connected to this water heater for space heating applications
must be suitable for use with potable water. In Massachusetts, space heating piping
length must not exceed 50 feet.
1. Toxic chemicals, such as those used for boiler treatment, must not be introduced
into potable water used for space heating.
2. This water heater must not be connected to an existing heating system or
component(s) previously used with a non-potable water heating appliance.
3. When the system requires water for space heating at temperatures higher than
required for other means, such as an ASSE approved mixing valve must be
installed to temper the water for those uses in order to reduce the scald hazard
potential.
Please refer to Figure 6 for suggested piping arrangements.
Figure 6

10
(In addition to the instruction manual.)
original equipment.
incident.
Do not block or in any way restrict jacket air inlet slots
located at the bottom front of the water heater.
Do not operate water heater with jumpered, altered,
loosely tightened or absent controls and/or components.
Do not operate water heater with replacement controls
and/or components which are not exact duplicates of
Thoroughly inspect and replace, (as needed) burner inner
door gasket and/or sight window gasket any time burner
inner door is removed or disturbed.
Replace water heater if involved in flammable vapor
This water heater is equipped with a flammable vapor
water heater control will shut down the water heater and
display a code of 7 flashes and then a 3 second pause.
If a 7 flash error code is present, check to see if flammable
vapor is present in the area. If flammable vapor is
present or suspected in the area, immediately leave the
area and contact a service professional.
If you are certain there is no flammable vapor present,
check the flammable vapor sensor to make certain
it has not become disconnected from the control.
See the instruction manual for troubleshooting.
sensor. If the sensor is exposed to flammable vapor, the
Do not try to light any appliance.
Do not touch any electric switch; do not use any
phone in your building.
CAUTION
Protect the Setback Control and Accessory Module from solder and falling
water during installation.