FVIR Technology

FVIR Technology: A New Standard in Gas-Fired Water Heaters

The new American National Standards Institute standard for Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) water heaters is the result of a voluntary, joint effort involving every major producer in the water heater industry. Current water heater designs have long proven themselves safe and reliable when installed, used and maintained properly. Unfortunately, occasional accidents have been caused by the improper use and storage of flammable vapor producing liquids near gas-fired equipment, such as water heaters. To address this issue, the water heater manufacturers came together, in cooperation with the Consumer Products Safety Commission, to form the Joint Research and Development Consortium and developed new technology. This new design uses a sealed combustion chamber with an air inlet, where air flows through the flame arrestor plate, which is made of perforated steel. If any flammable vapors enter the combustion chamber, the flame arrestor plate controls the burning vapors and prevents flames from escaping.

New Technology in FVIR Water Heaters

The following trio of technologies will be included in every new FVIR water heater, regardless of manufacturer.

a one-way intake system to control the movement of makeup air into the combustion chamber;
a flame arrestor plate, the single biggest component change in the new FVIR designs; and
a sealed burner access door and burner assembly, to create a sealed junction with the combustion chamber, preventing combustion air and flammable vapors from entering the chamber through the front of the water heater.

Here’s how these new water heaters will generally work:

Combustion air – and potentially flammable vapors flow through the flame arrestor plate into the combustion chamber where they are ignited. The flame arrestor’s job is to create a one-way path. Once inside the water heater, combustion air and flammable vapors cannot reverse direction. That is, they cannot migrate back through the plate, outside the water heater and into the room. Consequently, in the event of a flammable vapor event, the flames would be contained within the water heater, protecting the surrounding area.

At BGE HOME we carry the Rheem Guardian System™ water heater that exceeds the new standard providing the following features:

Air Shut Off System Should a spill incident occur, the Guardian System shuts off the gas supply and the air supply preventing a sustained vapor burn in the combustion chamber. Rheem’s one-of-a-kind, air-and-fuel shut-off device provides extra reliability and ultimate protection.
Flame Arrestor Plate A specially designed flame arrestor prevents ignition of vapors outside the combustion chamber.
Superior Air Filtration Preventing the flame arrestor from becoming clogged by lint, dust and oil is a challenge faced by all water heater manufacturers. The Rheem solution provides a maintenance-free way to assure an uninterrupted supply of hot water.
Filter Free With the Guardian water heater, there are no filters to service, replace or clean – ever!
Standard Replacement Parts The Guardian uses standard water heater parts, making parts replacement worry-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by FVIR?
"FVIR" stands for Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant. A new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard calls for water heaters that prevent ignition of flammable vapors outside the combustion chamber.
When does the new ANSI standard go into effect?
The effective date of the ANSI standard is July 1, 2003 for residential gas-fired water heaters.
What products are affected by the new standard?
All residential gas-fired water heaters – both propane and natural gas with storage capacities of 30, 40 and 50 gallons must meet the new FVIR standard in 2003.
Can I buy an old style, non-FVIR gas water heater after the effective date?
Yes, as long as the non-FVIR units are available. The ANSI standard prevents manufacturers from producing non-FVIR water heaters for sale on July 1, 2003 and thereafter. Any product built prior to that implementation date is not affected.