Quote:
quote:Originally posted by LazyPup
In fact, in some geologically active regions or in Hurricane regions you are required to strap the tank to the wall to prevent it falling over.
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Yes, you need two approved straps, one each in the upper and lower thirds of the unit. Also, the water and gas lines to the heater must be flexible. That removes all stress on the rigid plumbing. SOP used to be brass nipples in the heater, corrugated copper flex tubes with 3/4 females on both ends, and 3/4 female NPT adapters sweated to the copper pipe. Now we use galvanized in the heater and braided stainless flex lines. That corrodes less, and is easier to work with.
The strapping requirement is because in several cases, houses survived an earthquake with minor damage only to burn to the ground because the weight of the water in the heater caused it to move and rupture the gas line.
-- J.S.