Method and apparatus for operating gaseous fuel fired heater

In an apparatus for combusting a fuel and air mixture, the apparatus having a combustion chamber wall defining a combustion chamber, an exhaust flue forming communication between the combustion chamber and an ambient environment, the improvement comprising:

• a pressure relief void in communication with the combustion chamber and the ambient environment, and the pressure relief void sized large enough to relieve an ignition pressure from the combustion chamber upon ignition of the fuel and air mixture and sized small enough to prevent a combustion flame from passing through the pressure relief void during at least one of ignition and operational combustion of the fuel and air mixture.

A mounting apparatus for releasably attaching a burner assembly to a bottom wall that at least partially defines a combustion chamber of a water heater, the mounting apparatus comprising:

• a flange on the burner assembly, a clip attached to the bottom wall, the clip having an end portion spaced from the bottom wall forming a receiver, a first portion of the flange engageable within the receiver, and a removable fastener fastening a second end of the flange against the bottom wall.

In a gaseous fuel fired water heater apparatus having a bottom wall at least partially defining a combustion chamber, a fuel supply and an air supply introducing fuel and air into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust flue forming communication between the combustion chamber and an ambient environment, the improvement comprising:

• a plurality of burner assemblies mounted to the bottom wall, the fuel supply and the air supply in communication with each of the burner assemblies, and each of the burner assemblies having a burner exposed to the combustion chamber.

In a gaseous fuel fired water heater apparatus having a bottom wall at least partially defining a combustion chamber, a fuel supply and an air supply introducing fuel and air into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust flue forming communication between the combustion chamber and an ambient environment, the improvement comprising:

• an arcuate burner assembly mounted to the bottom wall, the fuel supply and the air supply in communication with the burner assembly, the burner assembly having a burner exposed to the combustion chamber, and the arcuate burner assembly forming a centrally positioned catch area.