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Booster Water Heater (Gas)

Can anybody install a gas booster?

Only someone capable and knowledgeable of complying with the National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54 and/or applicable local code should install the unit to provide the highest level of safety, like installers of commercial gas heating and ventilating systems.

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Can the PMG-100/-200 Gas Booster Water Heater be vented outdoors?

Yes. This can be done horizontally through a wall or vertically through the roof by using the proper approved venting materials. An installer of heating and ventilating equipment will know the AGA acceptable materials and methods to meet NFPA 54 or local equivalent standards. Some helpful suggestions appear in the manuals; however, it is the installer's responsibility to meet the applicable venting system standards.

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Can the PMG-100/-200 Gas Booster Water Heater be vented through a wall?

Yes, provided the correct Thimble or through-the-wall fitting is used for either combustible or non-combustible wall material as it may apply. If this is not an outside wall, then the pipe must continue until it can penetrate an outside wall. Any adjoining room it runs through must be the same temperature as the kitchen.

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Can the PMG-60 Gas Booster Water Heater be vented outdoors?

No. The PMG-60 is designed to exhaust only into the room in which it is installed. It is not agency approved for outside venting.

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Can the PMG-60 Gas Booster Water Heater be vented through a wall?

No. The PMG-60 Gas Booster is designed to exhaust only into the room in which it is installed where the typical restaurant ventilation system can handle the kitchen atmosphere in accordance with NFPA 54.

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Do you recommend installing a check valve on the inlet side of the booster?

No. A check valve could potentially create a high-pressure situation that would make the pressure release valve leak.

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How are the PMG-60 and the PMG-100/-200 Gas Booster Water Heaters different?

The PMG-60 was designed primarily for batch-type washers and because of its low rating may be allowed to exhaust directly into the room in compliance with NFPA 54. The PMG-100 and PMG-200 were designed to accommodate conveyor and flight-type washers as well. Induced draft venting was employed to allow the customer to more readily comply with NFPA 54 when these higher ratings are added to the other appliances in the kitchen.

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How does your optional Blended Phosphate Water Treatment System work?

The system stops mineral scale by introducing a measured amount of polyphosphate into the water. The mineral molecules, which have a positive charge, are attracted to the negative charge of the polyphosphate. The mineral molecules are unable to join together, so scale is unable to form.

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How far can I vent the PMG-100/-200 Gas Booster Water Heater?

These two models are approved for a 40 linear foot run. Note that an elbow is equivalent to 5 linear feet of pipe. Beyond this length, consult a ventilating specialist to provide appropriate means to move the exhaust farther. Booster fans are available in the industry that the specialist would be capable of applying.

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How far can I vent the PMG-60 Gas Booster Water Heater?

The vent hood is approved for a 20 linear foot run. Note that an elbow is equivalent to 5 linear feet. For example: you might place an elbow at the hood exit, run 4 feet, then a second elbow placed behind the warewasher with a six foot vertical vent tube to exit near the condensate hood. This would add up to 20 linear feet.

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Tell me about venting the PMG-100 and PMG-200 Gas Booster Water Heaters?

Because the PMG-100 and PMG-200 heaters may add significantly to the equation, these Hatco gas boosters are equipped with an exhaust blower to aid with venting and allow for compliance to NFPA 54.

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Tell me about venting the PMG-60 Gas Booster Water Heater?

Provided the local code accepts NFPA 54 requirements for venting a Gas Booster, the PMG-60 vents directly into the room in which it is installed.

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What do I have to know about Gas Booster Water Heater ventilation?

The National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54 allows all Water Heaters to vent into the room provided that certain overall conditions exist. This is explained in the following excerpt: EXCERPT FROM ANSIZ223.1/NFPA 54 7.2.1 Connection To Venting Systems. Excerpt as permitted in 7.2.2 through 7.2.6, all gas utilization equipment shall be connected to venting systems. 7.2.2 Equipment Not Required To Be Vented. A single booster-type [automatic instantaneous] water heater, when designed and used solely for the sanitizing rinse requirements of a dishwashing machine, provided that the equipment is installed, with the draft hood in place and unaltered, if a draft hood is required in a commercial kitchen having a mechanical exhaust system. Where installed in this manner, the draft hood shall not be less than 36" (91 cm) vertically and 6" (15 cm) horizontally from any surface other than the equipment. Where any or all of this equipment is installed so the aggregate input rating exceeds 20 BTU per hour per cubic foot (207 watts per cubic m) of room space in which it is installed, one or more shall be provided with venting systems or other approved means for removing the vent gases to the outside atmosphere so the aggregate input rating of the remaining unvented equipment does not exceed the 20 BTU per hour per cubic foot (207 watts per cubic m) figure. Where the room or space in which the equipment is installed is directly connected to another room or space by a doorway, archway, or other opening of comparable size that cannot be closed, the volume of adjacent room or space shall be permitted to be included in the calculation.

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What do I need to know if I want to operate a Gas Booster Water Heater at high altitudes (higher than 2000 feet (610 m) above sea level)?

The unit will operate at less than its sea level capacity due to either natural derating or code compliance derating. This means that the units sizing selection should be checked for the intended altitude. Also, an orifice change may be required to achieve the maximum allowable burn rate. Charts are provided in the manuals to help achieve compliance with AGA's limits for our models. NFPA 54 and local codes should be checked to be sure they don't take precedence. A kit of blank orifices is available to allow you the flexibility to comply with the specific altitude regulation at your installation.

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What is the temperature of the Gas Booster Water Heater exhaust?

Exhaust temperature is approximately 200°F. (93°C) at the outlet of the heater. It quickly cools to ambient temperature as it travels through the vent pipe and exits outside or into the room or under a condensate hood.

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What should I do when I close down for the winter?

All main electric and gas services to the heater should shut OFF. The tank and the heat exchanger should be drained of all water to prevent damage from freezing.

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What should I do when outside air temperatures are extremely cold?

As long as your facility is heated for inhabitancy, the PMG-60 would be unaffected whether ON or OFF. The PMG-100 and PMG-200 have exhaust fans that keep warm air moving out the vent when they are ON. Because of this, it is recommended that the heater be left ON at all times when the outside temperature is below 32°F (0°C) to counteract the unlikely occurrence of cold air migrating into the vent pipe.

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Why choose Gas Booster Water Heaters?

The choice is yours. Sometimes the cost of energy will make gas boosters a better choice than electric models. Ask your Hatco Representative for an Energy Cost Comparison.

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Why would an auxiliary hood be installed for a PMG-60 Gas Booster Water Heater?

Hatco offers an auxiliary hood that can be placed directly over the PMG-60 Gas Booster Water Heater that will direct flue gas products to the rear of the unit. The flue gas may be directed to exhaust behind the counter or dishwasher or up into a nearby ventilation/exhaust hood. (See manual for details.)

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Are slide mount brackets available in lieu of legs on ALL water booster heaters, and is there an extra charge?

Slide mounting brackets are available only on Compact boosters because of weight and size limitations. Imperial booster heaters must be mounted on legs. There is no charge for slide mounting brackets when ordered in lieu of legs. When you order slide mounting brackets, you will not receive legs with your booster.

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