Bradford White 30S, 32L, 50L, 70L Installation & Operating Instruction Manual

238-42458-00E REV 05/07

THE WARRANTY ON THIS WATER HEATER IS IN EFFECT ONLY WHEN
THE WATER HEATER IS INSTALLED AND OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH LOCAL CODES AND THESE INSTRUCTIONS. THE
MANUFACTURER OF THIS HEATER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGE RESULTING FROM FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE
INSTRUCTIONS. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE
STARTING.

For your family’s comfort, safety and convenience, we
recommend this water heater be installed and serviced by a
plumbing professional.

OIL-FIRED WATER HEATER

A Spanish language version of these instructions is available by contacting
the manufacturer listed on the rating plate.
La version Espanola de estas instrucctions se puede obtener al escribirle a
la fábrica cuyo nombre aparece in la placa de especificaciones.

INSTALLATION & OPERATING

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

2

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 Oil-Fired 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.

This manual should be kept with the water heater.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Information.................................................................................. 3

Installation ................................................................................................. 3

Locating the water heater.................................................................. 3

Minimum clearances .......................................................................... 4

Combustion air supply....................................................................... 5

Electrical connections........................................................................ 5

Venting................................................................................................. 6

Water connections.............................................................................. 6

Installation for potable water and space heating .................................. 8

Oil tanks and piping.................................................................................. 9

Operation ...................................................................................................11

Burner and thermostat information ........................................................11

Maintenance...............................................................................................16

Notes ..........................................................................................................18

3

General Information

Note: It is recommended that the installation and service of this water heater be

performed by a plumbing professional.
This water heater must be installed in accordance with local codes. In the

absence of local codes, it must be installed in compliance with the National Fire
Protection Standard For Oil Burning Equipment NFPA No. 31 (latest edition). In
Canada the installation of this water heater shall be in accordance with the
regulation of authorities having jurisdiction and CSA STANDARD B139.

The warranty of this water heater is in effect only when the water heater is
installed, adjusted, and operated in accordance with these installation and
operating instructions.

DO NOT use this appliance if any part has been submerged in water. You should
contact the plumbing professional who installed the water heater to inspect the
appliance and to replace any part of the control system and any component which
has been submerged in water.

A sacrificial anode is used to extend tank life. The removal of this anode, for any
reason, will nullify the warranty. In areas where water is unusually reactive, an
odor may occur at the hot water faucet due to a reaction between the sacrificial
anode and the impurities in the water. If this should happen, an alternative anode
may be purchased from the supplier that sold you this water heater. This will
minimize the odor while protecting the tank. Additionally, the water heater should
be flushed with appropriate dissolvers to eliminate any bacteria.

INSTALLATION

Locating the water heater

The location of this water heater is of the utmost importance. Before installing the
water heater, you should select a location where the floor is level and is easily
accessible to water supply lines as well as to a chimney or vent. DO NOT locate
the water heater where water lines could be subjected to freezing temperatures.

This water heater MUST be installed indoors out of the wind and weather.

To comply with NSF requirements this water heater is to be:

a) Sealed to the floor with sealant, in a smooth and easily cleanable way, or
b) Installed with an optional leg kit that includes legs and/or extensions that

provide a minimum clearance of 6” beneath the water heater.

Note: For California installation this water heater must be braced, anchored,
or strapped to avoid falling or moving during an earthquake. See
instructions for correct installation procedures. Instructions may be
obtained from California Office of the State Architect, 400 P Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814.

4

Minimum Clearances

This water heater shall be installed on NON-COMBUSTIBLE flooring only. This water
heater may be installed in an alcove. Refer to the marking on the front of the water
heater for clearances to combustible materials.

The installation should allow access to the front of the water heater and adequate
clearance should be provided for servicing and operating the water heater. It is
recommended that a minimum clearance of 3” be provided on the side of the water
heater for servicing and maintenance of the temperature and pressure relief valve.

This water heater must be located in an area where leakage of the tank or water line
connections will not result in damage to the area adjacent to the water heater or to
lower floors of the structure. When such locations cannot be avoided, a suitable drip
pan must be installed under the water heater. The drain pan must have a minimum
length and width of at least 4 in. (10.2 cm) greater than the diameter of the water
heater and must not restrict proper combustion air flow to the water heater. The drain
pan, as described above, can be purchased from your plumbing professional. The
piping must be at least ¾” in diameter and pitched for proper drainage. The pan must
not restrict the combustion airflow.

WARNING
Water heaters are heat-producing appliances. To avoid damage or injury,
there shall be no materials stored against the water heater. Proper care shall
be taken to avoid unnecessary contact (especially by children) with the water
heater. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL FLAMMABLE MATERIALS,
SUCH AS GASOLINE OR PAINT THINNER, BE USED OR STORED IN THE
VICINITY OF THIS WATER HEATER OR IN ANY LOCATION FROM WHICH
FUMES COULD REACH THE WATER HEATER.

Note: The failure to adhere to these instructions may create a hazard to life
and property and will nullify the warranty.
Water heater corrosion and component failure can be caused by heating and
breakdown of airborne chemical vapors. Examples of typical compounds that
are potentially corrosive are: spray can propellants, cleaning solvents,
refrigeration and air conditioning refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals,
calcium and sodium chloride, waxes and process chemicals. These materials
are corrosive at very low concentration levels with little or no odor to reveal
their presence.

NOTE: DAMAGE TO THE WATER HEATER CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO
CORROSIVE VAPORS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.

IMPORTANT!!

THE FLOW OF COMBUSTION AND VENTILATING AIR MUST NOT

BE OBSTRUCTED!!

5

Combustion Air Supply

Installation of this water heater requires that provisions be made to supply
adequate air for combustion and ventilation. If the building is unusually tight
or if this water heater is installed in a small room, provisions for additional
makeup air must be provided. This air must be supplied through two
permanent openings located so that the lower edge of the lower opening is 6
inches below the top of the enclosure.
The minimum free air area for such openings shall not be less than one
square inch per 1000 BTU/HR of the total input rating of all appliances in that
enclosure of 100 square inches, whichever is greater. For outside air, in the
absence of local codes, refer to the National Fire Protection Standard For Oil
Burning Equipment NFPA No. 31 (latest edition).

Electrical Connections

This water heater is normally wired for 120 volts and shall be electrically
grounded in accordance with local codes, or in the absence of local codes,
with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA No. 70 (latest Edition).

If any of the original wiring must be replaced, replacement shall be with 105
degree C wire or equivalent.

Figure 1

6

Venting

The connection from the water heater vent to the stack must be made as
direct as possible and of the same diameter as the vent outlet. The
recommended slope of any horizontal breaching is at least 1/2" rise per
linear foot. A barometrically operated draft regulator (barometric damper)
shall be installed in the vent connector at a location just above the water
heater.

Caution: The stack must extend at least three feet above the highest point of
the roof to insure proper venting. The stack should be provided with a weather
cap of approved design.

Note: Provisions shall be made to prevent contact of the vent pipe with
combustible materials in accordance with all codes and regulations.

A separate vent for each appliance is strongly recommended. A separate
vent is required for installation and application of multiple power vent(s). If
combined venting of multiple appliances is necessary or if an unusual
situation arises consult the National Fire Protection Standard For Oil Burning
Equipment NFPA NO.31 (latest edition), for sizing and installation information.

Water Connections

NOTE: Before proceeding with the installation, close the main water supply
valve. After shutting off the main water supply, open and close the appropriate
faucets and valves to prevent any water from leaking out of the pipes while
making the water connections to the water heater. The cold water inlet and
hot water outlet are identified on the top of the water heater. The fittings at
the cold water inlet and hot water outlet are dielectric fittings with a 3/4 NPT
male thread. Make the proper plumbing connections between the water
heater and the plumbing system of the house. A shut-off valve should be
installed in the cold water supply line.

If sweat fittings are to be used, Do Not apply heat to the nipples on top of the
water heater. Sweat the tubing to the adapter before fitting the adapter to
water connections. It is imperative that no heat be applied to nipples
containing a plastic liner. Heat traps may have been provided in the inlet and
outlet nipples. Although they may appear to be plastic plugs, Do Not attempt
to remove the plastic insert.

If this water heater is installed in a closed water system, such as one having
a back-flow preventer in the cold water supply, provisions shall be made to
control thermal expansion. Your water supplier or local plumbing inspector
should be contacted on how to control this situation.