Bradford White RTG 199HE, RTG 199ME Installation Instructions Manual

Installation Instructions

Models: RTG 199HE / RTG 199ME

Outdoor kit

Warning: This kit must be installed by a qualified

installer in accordance with these instructions and all
applicable codes and requirements of the authorities
having jurisdiction.

6 720 811 755 (2014/05) US

2

Key to symbols and safety instructions

Outdoor kit – 6 720 811 755 (2014/05)

1 Key to symbols and safety instructions

1.1 Key to symbols

Warnings

The following keywords are defined and can be used in this
document:

• DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

• WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

• CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in minor to moderate injury.

• NOTICE is used to address practices not related to
personal injury.

Important information

Additional symbols

2 Outdoor Installation

2.1 Warnings

Warnings in this document are identified by
a warning triangle printed against a grey
background.
Keywords at the start of a warning indicate
the type and seriousness of the ensuing risk
if measures to prevent the risk are not taken.

This symbol indicates important information
where there is no risk to people or property.

Symbol Explanation

▶ Step in an action sequence
 Cross-reference to another part of the

document

• List entry
– List entry (second level)

Table 1

DANGER:

The top of the outdoor kit will get very hot
during operation.

▶ Keep away from children. Install heater

in a location where the top of the kit
cannot be reached by small children.

DANGER: Flue gas is very hot and contains
carbon monoxide.

Flue gas will be released through the
outdoor kit.

▶ The outdoor kit cannot be installed on a

water heater mounted indoors. To
prevent risk of fire and carbon monoxide
poisoning, maintain all clearances
indicated in these instructions.

DANGER:

▶ Do not place or store any combustible

material within 5 feet of the appliance.
Maintain specified clearance to
combustibles on the wall where the
appliance is installed and any adjacent
walls or overhang. Observe all
clearances required in this manual.

DANGER:

▶ Surface temperature of the kit is less

than 140 °F, except highest top surface
which may reach 300 °F.

DANGER:

▶ Do not mount water heater directly onto

vinyl siding, see Fig. 10.

3

Selecting heater location

Outdoor kit – 6 720 811 755 (2014/05)

2.2 This outdoor kit includes:

• Supports (2) with screws

• Sealing gasket

• Control panel shield

• Outdoor vent cap.

3 Selecting heater location

Before proceeding, read the water heater installation manual. If
the information in that manual is not followed exactly, a fire,
explosion or poisoning by carbon monoxide may result causing
property damage, personal injury or death.

▶ This appliance is not designed to be installed outdoors in

climates that commonly fall below freezing (32 °F).

▶ Choose an outside wall for the installation. Installation on a

wall protected by an overhang above is recommended.

▶ Size the water and gas connections according to the

instructions in the water heater installation manual. Use
unions when connecting both water lines and gas supply
line to the heater.

3.1 Minimum clearances

If the appliance is installed under an overhang, there must be a
minimum 36” clearance from the top of the appliance and the
mounting area must be open in front and on the sides of the
appliance.

Fig. 1

DANGER:

The freeze prevention kit on the appliance is
designed to provide protection from
temperatures down to approximately 5 °F
for short term conditions only. It will not
protect the appliance in areas where the
temperature is routinely expected to be
below freezing. The freeze prevention kit will
not protect plumbing outside the appliance
from freezing. Precautions must be taken:

▶ Always drain the water heater if it will be

exposed to long term freezing
conditions.

DANGER:

The water in this appliance is cold and
always remains cold except for the times
when the burner is on.

▶ In the event of power outage in

conjunction with freezing temperatures,
it is recommended that the heater be
drained.

DANGER:

▶ Damage to the appliance from freezing

is not covered under the manufacturer's
warranty.

Ref. Description

Min.
distances

A Directly below or adjacent to an

opening; operable windows, doors and
any fresh air openings

1 ft
B
C
D From any adjacent wall 1 ft
E Below a gutter, sanitary pipework,

eaves or overhang

3 ft

F Above ground 1 ft
G From a gas meter or gas regulator 3 ft

Table 2 Clearances

Best practice note: The clearances in Fig. 1
and table 2 are the minimum allowed by the
standard.

When possible consider maximizing the
clearances A, B, C, D and E to allow for the
effects of wind and frequently used door and
window openings.

4

Installing outdoor kit

Outdoor kit – 6 720 811 755 (2014/05)

4 Installing outdoor kit

4.1 Replace the control panel shield

▶ Loosen the two Philips head screws located on bottom rear

of cover (see Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Loosen the two screws

▶ Remove the front cover panel and replace the original

control panel shield with shield provided in the kit, see Fig.

3.

Fig. 3 Replace the control panel shield

▶ After replacing the control panel shield re-position the

front cover.

▶ 1. Remove the cover plate (A) from the top of the

appliance, as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

▶ 2. Attach the supports (B) to the appliance with the four

provided screws, as shown in Fig. 4.

Before mounting the outdoor kit on the appliance:

Remove the exhaust seal from outdoor vent cap:
For condensing appliances only:

▶ Remove inner seal, see Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 Condensing appliances only (RTG 199HE)

WARNING:

▶ The control panel shield must always

remain closed, except when making
adjustments, to prevent damage to
heater from weather.

6720645551-16.1V