Materials System Specification

31 December 2000

05-SAMSS-002
Automatic Electric Water Heaters
Plumbing and Utilities Standards Committee Members
Al-Mulhim, K.A., Chairman
Al-Hamid, A.S.
Al-Ismail, A.A.
Churches, D.K.
Evans, D.G.
Magtanong, E.L.
Mullen, A.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
2
2
2
3
4
4
5
7
8

Scope.............................................................
Conflicts and Deviations................................
References.....................................................
General..........................................................
Types and Sizes............................................
Material..........................................................
Design and Construction................................
Inspection and Tests......................................
Preparation for Shipment...............................

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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Previous Issue: 31 December 1996 Next Planned Update: 1 January 2004

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin
Primary contact: Khalid A. Al-Mulhim on 874-5230

05-SAMSS-002
Automatic Electric Water Heaters

Document Responsibility: Plumbing and Utilities

Issue Date: 31 December 2000
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2004
Scope

This Specification covers the minimum requirements for automatic electric

water heating and storage tanks rated no more than 600 volts and 12 kilowatts to
be installed in accordance with the National Electric Code, NFPA 70.

1.1

These requirements do not cover water heaters with a storage tank capacity of
less than 4 liters (1 gallon) or more than 450 liters (120 gallons).

1.2

These requirements do not cover immersed electrodes, side arm, booster,

instantaneous or immersion type water heaters.

1.3

Conflicts and Deviations

Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.1

Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company
or Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP302 and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department
of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2

References
The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this specification shall comply with the
latest edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.
Saudi Aramco References
Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

SAEP-302

Industry Codes and Standards

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
Energy Conservation in New Building Design

ASHRAE 90A-80

American Society for Testing and Materials

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3.1

3.2

05-SAMSS-002
Automatic Electric Water Heaters

Document Responsibility: Plumbing and Utilities

Issue Date: 31 December 2000
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2004

General Requirements for Steel Plates for

Pressure Vessels

ASTM A20/A20M

Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated

Welded and Seamless

ASTM A53

General Requirements for Steel, Sheet, Carbon,

and High-Strength, Low-Alloy, Hot-Rolled and
Cold-Rolled

ASTM A568/A568M

Consumer Product Specification for Garden

Hoses

ASTM D3901

Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Tube

ASTM B75

American National Standards Institute/

American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Pipe Threads, General Purpose

ANSI/ASME B1.20.1

General Requirements for Steel Plates for

Pressure Vessels

ASME SA-20/SA-20M

National Fire Protection Association

National Electric Code

NFPA 70

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Household Electric Storage Tank Water Heaters

UL 174

Sheathed Heating Elements

UL 1030
General

The order to which this Specification is attached will contain the following information:
Size and types of water heaters required

a)

Destination and shipping instructions

b)

Minimum heating value to be used, using 100% efficiency factor of recovery

c)

Inspection and test requirements if they differ from the Standard (procedure
indicated herein)

d)

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05-SAMSS-002
Automatic Electric Water Heaters

Document Responsibility: Plumbing and Utilities

Issue Date: 31 December 2000
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2004

Types and Sizes

The basic types and sizes of heaters are as tabulated below:

75

(20)

Electric Water Heater

Non-Simultaneous
(208V (240V) (480V)
Low Watt Density
Heating Elements
2000

115

(30)

3500/3500

150

(40)

190

(50)

300
450

Approximate
Storage Capacity
Liters (Gallons)

L/Hr (GPH) Recovery

at 15.5C (60F)
Rise Using 100%
Efficiency Factor
(Minimum Values)
51.8 (13.7)

Water Connection
NPS
mm (inches)
Minimum Size
20 mm

()

83.2 (22.0)

20 mm

()

3500/3500

83.2 (22.0)

20 mm

()

4500/4500

83.2 (22.0)

20 mm

()

(80)

4500/4500

83.2 (22.0)

20-25 mm OD

(120)

4500/4500

83.2 (22.0)

(-1)

As specified

Water inlet and outlet connections are the nominal pipe size male thread to which the
external piping is connected.
Material
Steel Plate

6.1

The steel plate used in fabricating the tank shall conform to ASME SA-20/SA20M (ASTM A20/A20M) quality; and steel sheet material shall conform to
ASTM A568/A568M.
Glass Lining

6.2

The internal surface of the water heater tank shall have a vitreous (glass) or
porcelain enamel lining regardless of tank wall thickness.
Insulation

6.3

The thermal insulation shall be rigid polyurethane foam water heater insulation,
or insulation blanket or batt fiber glass wool in accordance with UL 174. The
material shall be nonconductive, nonabsorbent and resistant to combustion. The
thermal conductivity shall be energy efficient.
Heating Elements
The heating elements shall be high efficiency, low-watt density type elements.

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6.4

05-SAMSS-002
Automatic Electric Water Heaters

Document Responsibility: Plumbing and Utilities

Issue Date: 31 December 2000
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2004
Pipe

6.5

Pipe and pipe fittings shall conform to ASTM A53 for pipe sizes, wall thickness
and material. Cold water inlet, hot water outlet and drain pipe and fitting shall
be galvanized.
Gasket

6.6

The sealing gasket should be non-conductive, heat resistance and resilient type.
Wiring

6.7

The wiring should conform to UL standard.

Design and Construction
The tank capacity shall be as indicated in paragraph 4.

7.1

The minimum thickness of steel plates and steel sheets shall meet ASME SA20/SA-20M (ASTM A20/A20M) standards before shaping and the glass lining
is applied.

7.2

The tank shall be fusion welded construction.

7.3

The tank shall be treated by pickling or other process to ensure a clean surface
before the internal coating is applied.

7.4

The tank shall be equipped with an aluminum sacrificial anode rod or rods.

7.5

The tank shall have manually adjustable automatic temperature controls for a
desired temperature range from 27C to 60C (80F to 140F) for standard usage,
and a specified higher temperature control range as specified.

7.6

The tank shall have automatic over-temperature protectors to cut off the power if
excess temperature occurs. All controls shall meet UL 174.

7.7

The tank shall have a cold water inlet tube to replace the cold water at the
bottom of the tank to prevent mixing with already heated water.

7.8

The tank shall have high efficiency and low-watt density type elements sheathed
in copper, nickel silver (UNS C75200 preferred) or alloy UNS N0800 per UL
1030.

7.9

The opening for the temperature and pressure relief valve shall be located on top
of the tank bell head. If it is located on the side of the tank, the opening shall be

7.10

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05-SAMSS-002
Automatic Electric Water Heaters

Document Responsibility: Plumbing and Utilities

Issue Date: 31 December 2000
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2004

within 150 mm (6 inches) from the top of the tank. The opening shall be
separate from the openings for the water connections.
The tank openings shall be reinforced with welded plate of the proper thickness
to ensure that full length pipe threads are cut. Openings shall be taper pipe
threads conforming to the requirements of ANSI/ASME B1.20.1. The tank
water inlet, water outlet, tank drain and temperature and pressure relief valve
shall not be less than 20 mm ( inch ) nominal pipe size (NPS). The control
connection shall be sized as needed for the selected control equipment.

7.11

The heads shall be designed to withstand the pressure rating of the tank.

7.12

The connections to tank shall be fitted as follows:

7.13

The cold water inlet and hot water outlet shall be a galvanized nipple
of minimum Schedule 40 pipe size as given in paragraph 5 of this
specification. The outer end of the nipple that extends through the
shell, shall be threaded with male taper pipe thread as indicated in
paragraph 7.11. The nipple shall be exposed to permit the coupling of
connecting pipe.

7.13.1

A length of durable plastic or copper tubing on the cold water inlet of

tank shall extend into tank to not less than six inches from the bottom
as required in paragraph 6.8 of this specification. A 6 mm ( inch)
diameter hole shall be drilled through the wall of this tubing, near the
top of the tank as an anti-siphoning device. If copper tubing is used for
the anti-siphoning device, soft annealed tubing conforming to ASTM
B75 shall be used.

7.13.2

The drain shall not be less than 20 mm ( inch) NPS, Schedule 40

male-threaded, galvanized nipple extending through the shell as
indicated in paragraph 7.11. A faucet with a pressure rating suitable
for the service with a composition renewable disc shall be attached to
this nipple. The outlet male faucet thread shall conform to ASTM
D3901 garden hose standard.

7.13.3

The control connections needed are to comply with paragraph 7.11.

7.13.4

All electrical connections including the thermostats and heater

elements shall conform to UL 174.

7.13.5

The tank shall be built to withstand a minimum 300 psig (2068 kPa)
hydrostatic test pressure, and a minimum working pressure of 150 psig
(1034 kPa).

7.13.6

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05-SAMSS-002
Automatic Electric Water Heaters

Document Responsibility: Plumbing and Utilities

Issue Date: 31 December 2000
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2004

The shell (outer jacket) that surrounds the storage tank shall be as follows:
The outer steel jacket shell shall be of U.S. No. 24 Standard Gage (0.6
mm) minimum thickness before coating. The shell shall be provided
with reinforced holes conforming to the drain and control connections
specified in paragraph 7.11. The outside surface shall be provided with
a baked-on enamel finish.

7.14.1

The outer steel jacket top shall be of sheet steel of U.S. No. 20
Standard Gage (0.9 mm) minimum thickness before coating. The top
shall be provided with reinforced holes conforming to the water inlet
and outlet connections specified in paragraph 7.11. (Carefully made
extruded openings are acceptable in lieu of reinforced holes.) The
outside surface shall be provided with a baked-on enamel finish.

7.14.2

The outer steel jacket bottom shall be constructed of sheet steel of

adequate thickness. Legs, if provided, shall be attached to the bottom
to support the complete unit above floor. The outer jacket shall be so
constructed as to prevent the ingress of moisture to the insulation.

7.14.3

Insulation
The insulation shall fill the space between the inner water storage and
heating tank and the outer steel jacket. The insulation shall be in
accordance with paragraph 6.3. The thicknesses shall meet the energy
efficient insulation standards of ASHRAE 90A-80.

7.15.1

The insulation of all electrical devices and connections shall be tested

in accordance with UL 174.

7.15.2
Controls

The controls shall comply with all requirements established in UL 174.

7.16.1

The automatic temperature controls shall meet the requirements of

paragraph 7.6 and 7.7 of this specification. The selection of the desired
temperature shall be readily made without the use of special tools nor
the necessity of dismantling any part of the controls.

7.16.2

A manually operated reset thermostat control shall be provided.

7.16.3

7.14

7.15

7.16

Inspection and Tests

Each water heater shall be UL listed; and shall be indelibly stamped "UL listed"
together with the UL listed number.
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8.1

05-SAMSS-002
Automatic Electric Water Heaters

Document Responsibility: Plumbing and Utilities

Issue Date: 31 December 2000
Next Planned Update: 1 January 2004

Each water heater shall be subject to inspection by the manufacturer's Inspector

during process of fabrication. Certification of compliance to this specification
shall be provided with each water heater. All tests and inspections shall be
made at the place or places of manufacture or fabrication.

8.2

Pressure testing on the tanks shall be in accordance with UL 174.

8.3

At least one water heater of each type or design shall be tested as indicated in
UL 174. In addition, each unit shall be tested per the vendor's standards, to
ensure consistent quality and performance per specifications established for the
water heater.

8.4

Preparation for Shipment

Each water heater shall be prepared for shipment to conform with Saudi Aramco
export packing specifications.

9.1

All pipe connections shall be protected from the entrance of debris by use of
suitable tight fitting wooden plugs, or other suitable plugs or covers of metal or
plastic.

9.2

31 December 2000

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Revision Summary
Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and
reissued with minor changes.