A sensor inside the water heater will detect if it has ignited a flammable vapor from outside of the water heater and shut off the flow of gas to the burner and pilot light.
Are all water heaters flammable vapor ignition resistant?
All water heaters now produced in North America are Flammable Vapor Ignition-Resistant (FVIR) types. The ANSI Standard was introduced in July 2003. Existing water heaters that did not meet the standard do not have to be replaced, but all new heaters do have this feature.
Are all gas water heaters FVIR?
Residential water heaters manufactured after 2003 are F.V.I.R. (Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant) compliant.10.1a-2002 standard will apply to virtually all gas fired residential water heaters with BTU ratings of 75,000 and below.
Are Bradford White water heaters FVIR?
The Defender Safety System® is the name of Bradford White’s exclusive flammable vapor ignition resistant (FVIR) system. It is a proven feature in many of our residential gas water heaters that resists the ignition of flammable vapors outside of the water heater.
What is a flammable vapor sensor on a water heater?
What is a Flammable Vapor (FV) Sensor? FV Sensors are safety devices on select models of water heaters, which cause a soft lockout (a.k.a. the unit shuts down) when flammable vapors are detected near the unit, to prevent the possibility of their ignition.
What is flammable vapor ignition resistant?
What does FVIR mean? Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) water heaters incorporate design features that make them resistant to igniting flammable vapors such as gasoline, cleaning solvents, and paint thinner outside of the water heater.
What is a flammable vapor?
FLAMMABLE VAPORS ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! Vapors from flammable productssuch as gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner, and solvents can be ignited accidentally by the pilot light of a propane appliance. Sometimes the vapors may follow air currents in the building to higher levels.
Do FVIR water heaters need to be elevated?
jolson8: Most gas water heaters in the 30-50 gallon range sold/manufactured in America since 2003 are FVIR (flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant) By 2005, all sold are FVIR. If a water heater is FVIR, it does not have to be elevated when installed in the garage.
What do all FVIR water tanks have in common?
All FVIR water heater tanks have things in common. 1) A flame arrestor plate. Located under the burner, the metal plate is designed to allow combustion air into the combustion chamber but keep flames from escaping downward and igniting flammable vapors below. 2) Thermal cutoff switch.
Are Bradford White water heaters glass lined?
Bradford White created Vitraglas® and effectively set the standard for glass-lining protection. Since then, we’ve constantly improved both the chemistry and application of this exclusive formula to create the perfect tank lining. Today it’s included as standard equipment on nearly all Bradford White tank water heaters.
What is a flame arrestor on a water heater?
The flame arrestor is factory-built into the bottom of the gas tank-type water heater.The FVIR is the system that is installed in all new models, and it protects the users and surrounding from accidental ignition of flammable vapors (coming from gasoline, paint, and solvents) outside the gas combustion chamber.
Is Bradford White Made in America?
We are Committed to American Manufacturing.
We are an American-owned company and all of our manufacturing facilities are located in the United States of America. Bradford White proudly employs over 2,000 people at our manufacturing operations in Middleville, Niles and Delton, Michigan, and Rochester, New Hampshire.
How do I know if my gas valve is bad on my water heater?
If the burner stays on, turn the gas supply off and replace the gas valve. If the pilot is lit, you have a tank of cold water, the thermostat turned up and the burner does not fire up, either the burner orifice is clogged or the water heater gas valve is bad.
What is classed as combustible material?
A combustible material is a solid or liquid than can be easily ignited and burned. OSHA, DOT, and other federal regulations, apply specific technical definitions to this term. Combustible solids are those capable of igniting and burning. Wood and paper are examples of such materials.
What are examples of flammable materials?
Flammable: A liquid with a flash point under 100°F is considered flammable. Examples: gasoline, acetone, toluene, diethyl ether, alcohols. Hazard: May produce ignitable vapors at normal ambient temperatures.
What is extremely flammable?
A substance is considered highly flammable if its ignition point is lower than 90 degrees F.
Do electric water heaters have an ignition source?
Electric does not need to raised because there is no ignition source. According to the above, it does need to be raised. The “ignition source” is required to be raised 18 inches above the garage floor.
How high does a water heater need to be off the ground?
18 inches
According to the Uniform Plumbing Code, a natural gas tank water heater should be installed at least 18 inches from the ground. It’s also important to note that this measurement doesn’t necessarily start at the bottom of the unit.
Is it OK for a water heater to sit on the floor?
Gas water heaters can sit directly on the floor if they are FVIR(flammable vapor ignition-resistant). All gas 30, 40, and 50-gallon water heaters sold to the North American market after 2005 must comply with ANSI Z21. 10.1a-2002 standards and are FVIR. All electric water heaters can be placed directly on the floor.
Does a water heater temperature valve need a discharge tube?
The Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve or TPR Valve on any heated appliance that contains water, such as a heating boiler, hot water tank, water heater, water cylinder, must have a drain line or discharge tube properly installed, routed, and made of proper materials.
What must be provided at the discharge pipe of a TPR valve to prevent backflow?
An air gap is necessary to prevent backflow and contamination of the potable water system. The discharge pipe must not be reduced in size, and must not be less than the size of the relief valve outlet.
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