Safety Precautions
The annual cleaning and inspection of gas heating equipment is important not only because it contributes to its efficient operation but also because it provides an additional safety factor.
Electrical controls should be connected on a separate switch. This enables the circuit to be broken should the equipment malfunction.
Because fuel gas is extremely volatile, it should be handled and stored with the utmost care. Propane is especially dangerous when it leaks. Because it is heavier than air, propane will accumulate at low points in a room and present an explosion hazard.
Be sure to observe the following basic safety rules when working with heating gases and gas controls:
• Always shut off the gas supply to the device when installing, modifying, or repairing it. Allow at least 5 minutes for any unburned gas to leave the area before beginning work. Remember that LPG is heavier than air and does not vent upward naturally.
• Always conduct a gas leak test after completing the installation, modification, or repair. To test for a gas leak, coat the pipe joint, pilot gas tubing connections, and valve gasket lines with a soap-and-water solution. Then, with the main burner in operation, watch for bubbles at those points. The bubbles will indicate a gas leak, which can normally be eliminated simply by tightening joints or screws or by replacing the gasket.
Note
Never use a flame to check for a gas leak.
• Always disconnect the power supply to prevent electrical shock or equipment damage before connecting or disconnecting any wiring.
• Change the main burner and pilot orifice(s) to meet the appliance manufacturer’s instructions when converting a gas sys- tem from one type of gas to another.
• Always read and carefully follow the installation and operating instructions supplied with the appliance or component. Failure to follow them could result in damage or cause a haz- ardous condition.
• Make certain that the appliance or component is designed for your application. Check the ratings given in the instructions and on the appliance or component.
• Check the operation of the appliance or component with the manufacturer’s instructions after installation is completed.
• Do not bend the pilot tubing at the control after the compression nut has been tightened. This could cause a gas leak at the connection.
• Never jump (or short) the valve coil terminals on 24-volt controls. Doing so could short out the valve coil or burn out the heat anticipator in the thermostat.
• Never connect millivoltage controls to line voltage or to a transformer, because doing so will burn out the valve opera- tor or the thermostat anticipator.
• Do not remove the seals covering control inlets or outlets until you are ready to connect the piping. The seals are there to prevent dirt and other materials from getting into the gas control and interfering with its operation.