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LinkedIn New Rheem Guardian System Water Heater.
July 1, 2003
Rheem Water Heaters recently unveiled the RHEEM GUARDIAN SYSTEM™, a new line of residential gas-fired, atmospheric water heaters that are specially designed to meet the new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard governing flammable vapor ignition resistant (FVIR) water heaters. ANSI Z21.10.1a-2002, which went into effect July 1, 2003, addresses the problem caused by improper storage or use of gasoline or other flammable liquids near gas-fired water heaters. The new Standard covers residential gas-fired water heaters with storage capacities of 30, 40 or 50-gallon capacities.
To meet the new Standard, any water heater produced on or after the effective date must be designed so it cannot ignite flammable vapors caused by spilled gasoline outside the unit. The new ANSI FVIR Standard will not affect the current installed base of residential gas-fired water heaters or any unsold water heaters manufactured prior to the effective date, regardless of size or BTU/hour input.
The new Rheem GUARDIAN SYSTEM will initially include 30, 40 and 50-gallon models in a variety of dimensions and inputs. The units will be available for shipment July 1 of this year.
WHAT MAKES THE GUARDIAN SYSTEM SPECIAL? “Every residential gas water heater will eventually have to meet the new ANSI Standard,” says Rheem Water Heater vice president of marketing David R. Martin, “but not all FVIR designs are the same — or equal.” The new Rheem GUARDIAN SYSTEM incorporates a number of high-performance design features that are unique:
• Exclusive air shutoff system offers double protection against vapor fires. Like all FVIR water heaters, the GUARDIAN SYSTEM will include a flame arrestor plate that will prevent the ignition of flammable vapors outside the water heater. But that doesn’t stop gasoline vapors from continuing to burn inside the combustion chamber. The GUARDIAN SYSTEM goes beyond the new ANSI Standard with an exclusive safety mechanism that delivers double protection against vapor fires.
• Exclusive air shutoff system offers double protection against vapor fires. Like all FVIR water heaters, the GUARDIAN SYSTEM will include a flame arrestor plate that will prevent the ignition of flammable vapors outside the water heater. But that doesn’t stop gasoline vapors from continuing to burn inside the combustion chamber. The GUARDIAN SYSTEM goes beyond the new ANSI Standard with an exclusive safety mechanism that delivers double protection against vapor fires.
In the event of a flammable vapor incident, this mechanism completely shuts off not only the gas, like other FVIR water heaters, but also the air supply. Starved of oxygen as well as fuel, the flammable vapors in a Rheem GUARDIAN SYSTEM water heater will be extinguished quickly and safely, preventing a prolonged vapor burn inside the combustion chamber.
• Maintenance-free air-filtration system assures reliable performance. The GUARDIAN SYSTEM has no special filters or screens to clean, service or replace… and nothing to reset – ever. Meanwhile, the unique GUARDIAN SYSTEM design keeps the flame arrestor plate clean and free of lint, dust and oil (LDO) contamination in three ways.
1. First, air is delivered to the unit’s combustion chamber through hundreds of small perforations along the sides of the water heater jacket – well above the floor where lint and dust collect.
2. In the process, 100% of the incoming air is pre-filtered by this intake design.
• Maintenance-free air-filtration system assures reliable performance. The GUARDIAN SYSTEM has no special filters or screens to clean, service or replace… and nothing to reset – ever. Meanwhile, the unique GUARDIAN SYSTEM design keeps the flame arrestor plate clean and free of lint, dust and oil (LDO) contamination in three ways.
1. First, air is delivered to the unit’s combustion chamber through hundreds of small perforations along the sides of the water heater jacket – well above the floor where lint and dust collect.
2. In the process, 100% of the incoming air is pre-filtered by this intake design.
3. Finally, the air pathway is equipped with a series of air-flow baffles that cause lint, dust and oil to drop down and away, preventing the LDO from reaching and clogging the arrestor plate.
“The key to long and efficient product life is to limit the amount of LDO that can reach the arrestor plate,” notes Martin. “The GUARDIAN SYSTEM has undergone months of rigorous laboratory and field testing to assure that its robust design will operate safely and effectively while also preventing LDO contamination. “Builders and plumbing contractors can confidently assure their customers that the GUARDIAN SYSTEM needs no cleaning or replacement of filters, nor any other form of periodic maintenance. “With this new water heater design, Rheem’s commitment to the customer remains the same as ever,” Martin concludes. “That is to furnish a water heater that will deliver years of dependable, maintenance-free, low-cost hot water.”
RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, headquartered in New York City, is a leading producer of residential and commercial water heaters, with manufacturing operations on three continents. In addition to Rheem and Ruud brand water heaters for the wholesale channel, the company also makes and markets pool and spa heaters, boilers, and heating and air-conditioning products.
