PVI Industries, Incorporated
Start-Up of Gas-Fired Water Heaters
May 1998
PV 17-A
START-UP OF GAS-FIRED WATER HEATERS
**FOR DETAILED INFORMATION SEE INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE MANUAL **
1. Visually inspect water heater and components for damage and proper installation.
2. Check all electrical connections for tightness and proper voltage.
3. Check water heater tank to make sure it is full of water.
(Remove air through T&P valve).
4. Pull nozzle assembly from burner and check gap settings on electrodes
(see I&M).
5. While nozzle is removed, look inside through burner for obstructions.
6. Check fan rotation.
7. Check air shutter setting
(guideline on burner tag).
8. Drill hole in vent pipe 12” to 24” from heater flue outlet but below draft regulator
(for analysis equipment).
9. Attach voltmeter to controller to record flame signal.
10. Check inlet static gas pressure before gas train
(see rating on heater decal).
11. Attach manometer to manifold to read pressure
(tapping closest to burner).
12. Turn off main manual gas valve and start burner on pilot
(if burner has separate pilot).
a) Set pilot to give good flame signal with just enough gas to reliably light pilot.
NOTE: If there is no pilot, set gas pressure (guideline on burner tag).
b) Slowly open main gas and set gas pressure
(guideline on burner tag).
c) Check flame signal
(should be in range called for by control).
13. Check inlet flow gas pressure before gas train.
NOTE: Should meet or exceed minimum rating listed on heater decal.
14. Check vent draft in stack
(should be negative .02” to negative .06” W.C.).
15. Perform flue gas analysis after achieving water temperatures above 120
º
F.
NOTE: Modulating burners should be checked at 25% increments.
a) Net stack temperature should be 3 00
º
F - 400
º
F
(read in stack, all units).
b) O2 should be from 4% to 7%
(atmospheric units tested below draft diverter).
c) CO2 should be from 8% to 10%
(atmospheric units tested below draft diverter).
d) CO should not exceed 200 PPM
(atmospheric units tested below draft diverter).
NOTE: A complete and proper start-up includes checking the operation of all controls and limits (i.e. airflow
switch, LWCO, thermostats, and modulating controls), and filling out the entire start-up report. All discrepancies
should be reported to the PVI Customer Service Department (800-433-5654) from the job site and detailed on
the comment section of the start-up report. Attach notes to report if needed. Also, please call if you have any
questions or need assistance.
