Lochinvar Lock-Temp Bare Tanks Installation Manual

The information contained in this manual is intended for
use by qualified professional installers, service technicians
or gas suppliers. Consult your local expert for proper
installation or service procedures.

MAINTENANCE

A new tank installation should have a regular inspection
program set up initially. The first inspection should be within
the first three months of operation. Once the tendency to
accumulate sediment has been established, the inspection
program can be modified to suit the water conditions. Typical
inspection programs flush the tank at six-month intervals and
clean the tank in yearly intervals.

Deliming solvents or acid type flush agents are not
recommended for use in lined storage tanks. These chemical
cleaners are usually designed for use in non-potable systems
such as heating boilers. These chemicals may be aggressive
and cause damage to the tank lining and deteriorate the
magnesium anodes supplied in glass-lined Lock-Temp
storage tanks.

FLUSHING THE LOCK-TEMP STORAGE TANK:

Since the mineral accumulation is occurring in an un-fired tank
it will be in a soft sediment form. This soft sediment can be
removed by a regular flushing of the lower portion of the tank.

To flush the tank, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the electricity and gas supply to the
finned copper tube water heater piped to the
storage tank.

2. Turn off electrical power to the circulating pump.

3. Close the valve on the hot water outlet on the top
of the storage tank.

4. Ensure that the drain located on the bottom of the
tank is routed to a floor drain with adequate
capacity to allow the tank to be flushed.

Hot water will be released under pressure. Avoid
contact with the hot discharge water to prevent the
risk of severe scald injury.

WARNING:

5. Open the drain valve and allow the incoming
cold water to flush the soft sediment out the
bottom of the storage tank. Use extreme caution,
as the water exiting the tank drain may be very
hot. Avoid contact with the hot discharge water
to prevent the risk of severe scald injury.

6. Observe the color of the water initially
discharged from the tank drain. This water will
generally be milky or slightly discolored by the
sediment discharge. Allow the drain to run until
the water runs clear.

7. Close the drain valve on the tank.

8. Open the hot water outlet valve on the top of the
tank.

9. Open an adjacent hot water tap to purge any air
that may have entered the storage tank during the
draining process. Close the hot water tap if no air
discharge is observed.

10. Turn on electric power to the water heater and
circulating pump.

11. Turn on the gas supply to water heater.

12. Observe heater and piping to ensure all
components are functioning properly.

CLEANING THE LOCK-TEMP STORAGE TANK:

The mineral accumulation in an un-fired tank will be in a soft
sediment form that can be removed by a regular cleaning of the
lower portion of the tank. Many tanks will have a hand hole
or a larger manway to allow access to the interior of the tank
for complete removal of accumulated sediment. An access
opening to remove the manway or hand hole is provided in the
exterior jacket. The sheet metal jacket components are
removed with hand tools. The opening will be in the bottom
portion of a vertical tank and on the end of a horizontal tank.

To clean the tank, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the electricity and gas supply to the finned
copper tube water heater piped to the storage tank

2. Turn off electrical power to the circulating pump.

3. Close the valve on the hot water outlet on the top
of the storage tank and the cold water supply to the
system.

LOCK-TEMP STORAGE TANK

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

13. Check the manway or hand hole and all related
piping for any water leaks.

14. Turn on electric power to the water heater and
circulating pump.

15. Turn on the gas supply to water heater.

16. Observe heater and piping to ensure all
components are functioning properly.

MAGNESIUM ANODE ROD INSPECTION

Glass lined Lock-Temp storage tanks have a magnesium
anode(s) to cathodically protect the lining and minimize
corrosion. Aggressive water conditions in some areas of the
country may accelerate the deterioration of the anode(s). The
anode(s) should be periodically removed and inspected to
determine if replacement is necessary.

The tank must be valved off from the system and fully drained
to remove an anode for inspection. A single anode is supplied
in a threaded coupling on the top head of small vertical storage
tanks. Top mounted anodes may be accessed by removing the
jacket top. Large vertical storage tanks and horizontal storage
tanks have multiple anodes installed in threaded tappings
along the length of the tank. These anodes may be accessed by
removing a jacket panel and/or corner post corresponding to
the mounting point of the anodes. Adequate service clearance
is required to allow removal of an anode. The anode(s) should
be replaced when more than six inches of the core wire is
exposed at either end of the rod.

4. Ensure that the drain located on the bottom of the
tank is routed to a floor drain with adequate
capacity to allow the tank to be drained.

5. Open the drain valve and open a vent to allow the
air to enter the tank (manually opening the relief
valve will usually accomplish this). Use extreme
caution, as the water exiting the tank drain may be
very hot. Avoid contact with the hot discharge
water to prevent the risk of severe scald injury.

6. Allow the tank to drain completely.

7. Remove the cover over the manway or hand
hole. Remove the bolt(s) securing the tank access
opening. Use a flashlight to observe the sediment
collected in the tank.

8. Use hand tools to remove all sediment from the
interior of the tank. Use care not to damage the
interior lining of the storage tank.

9. Use a water hose to flush the remaining sediment
from the interior surfaces of the tank and ensure
that all debris is removed. Scale or sediment
allowed to reach the potable system can foul
valves, pumps, strainers and other water fixtures.
Ensure that the tank interior is clean before
refilling the vessel.

10. Install a new gasket on the manway or hand hole
to prevent any possible leaks. Tighten the gasket
properly to prevent leaks. Caution: Over
tightening can result in cutting the gasket and
allowing a water leak to occur.

11. Install the jacket cover over the tank access.

12. Close the drain and open the cold water supply
and hot water outlet. If the relief valve was used for a
vent ensure that it is now closed. Open the closest hot
water valve to allow the air in the tank to vent as water
enters the vessel. Close the valve opened for a
vent when water flows from the valve.

2/02–Printed in U.S.A.

T&P RELIEF VALVE
(RNA/RGA)

HOT WATER OUTLET

RELIEF VALVE

OPENING (RJS/RJA)

ANODE RODS

T&P RELIEF VALVE

HOT WATER OUTLET

ANODE RODS

COLD WATER INLETS

MANWAY
OPTIONAL

DRAIN

MANWAY

STANDARD

(RNA)

OPTIONAL

(RGA)

DRAIN PIPE

(RNA/RGA)

COLD
WATER
INLETS

DRAIN PIPE

(RJS/RJA)

AQUASTAT

HANDHOLE
CLEANOUT