Hatco POWERMITE PMG-100 Instruction Manual

FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
POWERMITE®
GAS BOOSTER WATER HEATERS
MODELS: PMG-60, PMG-100 & PMG-200

1
OVERVIEW
This information is provided only as a quick reference. Many of the questions below are covered in more
detail in the operator/owner's manual. The Installation, Operating, Service and Parts Manual should
be read completely before installing and operating the heater. This document is not a substitute for
that reading.
Q: Why gas?
A: The choice will have to be yours. Most often the cost of energy will make gas a practical alternative
to electricity. Ask your Hatco Representative for an Energy Cost Comparison.
Q: What do I have to know about booster water heater ventilation?
A: The National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54 allows all water heaters to vent into the room provided that
certain overall conditions exist. This is explained in the following excerpt:
EXCERPT FROM ANSIZ223.1/NFPA #54
7.2.1 Connection To Venting Systems. Excerpt as permitted in 7.2.2 through 7.2.6, all gas
utilization equipment shall be connected to venting systems.
7.2.2 Equipment Not Required To Be Vented.
A single booster-type [automatic instantaneous] water heater, when designed and used solely for the
sanitizing rinse requirements of a dishwashing machine, provided that the equipment is installed,
with the draft hood in place and unaltered, if a draft hood is required in a commercial kitchen having
a mechanical exhaust system. Where installed in this manner, the draft hood shall not be less than 36
inches (91 cm) vertically and 6 inches (15 cm) horizontally from any surface other than the
equipment.
Where any or all of this equipment is installed so the aggregate input rating exceeds 20 Btu per hour
per cubic foot .(207 watts per meter) of room space in which it is installed, one or more shall be
provided with venting systems or other approved means for removing the vent gases to the outside
atmosphere so the aggregate input rating of the remaining unvented equipment does not exceed the
20 Btu per hour per cubic foot (207 watts per cubic meter ) figure. Where the room or space in
which the equipment is installed is directly connected to another room or space by a doorway,
archway, or other opening of comparable size that cannot be closed, the volume of adjacent room or
space shall be permitted to be included in the calculation.
PMG-60
Q: Tell me about venting the PMG-60.
A: Provided the local code accepts NFPA 54 requirements for venting a gas booster, the PMG-60 vents
directly into the room in which it is installed.
Q: Why would I want to install the auxiliary hood?
A: As a convenience to the end-user HATCO offers an auxiliary hood that can be placed directly over the
PMG-60 booster heater. This hood will direct flue gas products to the rear of the unit. The flue gas may
be directed to exhaust behind the counter or dishwasher or up into a nearby ventilation/exhaust hood.
(See manual for more details.)
Q: Can it be vented through a wall?
A: No. The PMG-60 is designed to exhaust only into the room in which it is installed where the typical
restaurant ventilation system can handle the kitchen atmosphere in accordance with NFPA 54.
Q: Can it be vented outdoors?

2
A: No. The PMG-60 is designed to exhaust only into the room in which it is installed. It is not agency
approved for outside venting
Q: How far can I vent it?
A: The vent hood is approved for a 20 linear foot run. Note that an elbow is equivalent to5 linear feet.For
example: you might place an elbow at the hood exit, run 4 feet, then a second elbow placed behind the
warewasher with a six foot vertical vent tube to exit near the condensate hood. This would add up to 20
linear feet.
PMG-100 & PMG-200
Q: Tell me about venting the PMG-100 and PMG-200
A: Because the PMG-100 & PMG-200 heaters may add significantly to this equation, an induced draft
means is provided to also allow venting directly outside.
Q: Can it be vented through a wall?
A: Yes, provided the correct Thimble or through-the-wall fitting is used for either combustible or
non-combustible wall material as it may apply. If this is not an outside wall, then the pipe must
continue until it can penetrate an outside wall and this adjoining room must be at the same temperature
as the kitchen.
Q: Can it be vented outdoors?
A: Yes. This can be done horizontally through a wall as described above or vertically through the roof
by using the proper approved venting materials. An installer of heating and ventilating equipment should
know the AGA acceptable materials and methods to meet NFPA 54 or local equivalent standards.
Some helpful suggestions appear in the manuals; however, it is the installer's responsibility to meet the
applicable venting system standards.
Q: How far can I vent it?
A: These two models are approved for a 40 linear foot run. Note, however, that an elbow is equivalent
to 5 linear feet of pipe. Beyond this length, consult a ventilating specialist to provide appropriate means
to move the exhaust farther. Booster fans are available in the industry that the specialist would be
capable of applying.
Q: What is the temperature of the exhaust?
A: Exhaust temperature is approximately 200°F. right at the outlet of the heater. It quickly cools to ambient
temperature as it travels through the vent pipe and exits outside or into the room.
PMG60, PMG-100 & PMG-200

HATCO CORPORATION P.O. Box 340500, Milwaukee, WI 53234-0500 U.S.A.
[phone] [phone] • Parts & Service Fax [phone] [phone]
www.hatcocorp.com
Printed in U.S.A. Form No. FAQPMG-1002
Q: Why are they different?
A: The PMG-60 was designed primarily for batch-type washers and because of its low rating may
be allowed to exhaust directly into the room in compliance with NFPA 54. The PMG-100 and
PMG-200were designed to accommodate conveyor and flight-type washers as well. Induced draft
venting was employed to allow the customer to more readily comply with NFPA 54 when these higher
ratings are added to the other appliances in the kitchen.
Q: Can anybody install a gas booster?
A: Only someone capable and knowledgeable of complying with the National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54
and/or applicable local code should install the unit to provide the highest level of safety. Installers of
commercial gas heating and ventilating systems might be an example of such a source.
Q: What do I need to know if I want to operate a unit at high altitudes?
(Higher than 2000 feet above sea level)
A: The unit will operate at less than its sea level capacity due to either natural derating or code compliance
derating. This means that the unit’s sizing selection should be checked for the intended altitude. Also, an
orifice change may be required to achieve the maximum allowable burn rate. Charts are provided in the
manuals to help in this process for compliance with AGA’s limits for our models. NFPA 54 and local
codes, however, should be checked to be sure they don't take precedence. A kit of blank orifices is
available to allow you the flexibility to comply with the specific altitude regulation at your installation.
Q: What should I do when I close down for the winter?
A: All main electric and gas services to the heater should shut OFF. The tank and the heat exchanger should
be drained of all water to prevent damage due to freezing.
Q: What should I do when outside air temperatures are extremely cold?
A: As long as your facility is heated for inhabitancy, the PMG-60 would be unaffected whether ON or OFF.
The PMG-100 and PMG-200 have exhaust fans that keep warm air moving out the vent when they are
ON. Because of this, it is recommended that the heater be left ON at all times when the outside
temperature is below 32°F. to counteract the unlikely occurrence of cold air migrating into the vent pipe.
Q: Do you recommend installing a check valve on the inlet side of the booster?
A: No. A check valve could potentially create a high-pressure situation that would make the pressure release
valve leak.
Q: How does your optional blended phosphate water treatment system work?
A: The system stops mineral scale by introducing a measured amount of polyphosphate into the water. The
mineral molecules, which have a positive charge, are attracted to the negative charge of the
polyphosphate.The mineral molecules are unable to join together, so scale is unable to form.