The Rinnai Infinity Recess Box (pictured below) has been redesigned to include a flashing kit to meet the water tightness requirements of the NZ Building Code.

In most installations, the Rinnai Infinity is mounted on the outside wall of a home. The recess box allows a Rinnai Infinity continuous flow gas water heater to be recessed into an external wall, achieving a flush, clean look on the exterior of a house and enabling the Infinity to be enclosed behind a small door out of sight.

The handy Rinnai Recess Box houses the unit, and associated pipe work and power supply behind a simple hinged door. The recess box is supplied white which can be easily customised to match the exterior colour of any home.

The redesigned kit is suitable for new buildings, however, it can also be fitted in an existing installation. Simply cut an opening and install the box by drilling holes in the sides and fix in position with suitable flush headed masonry anchors.

The actual flashing is four pieces of L shaped powder coated galvanized steel, which insert between the wall of the recess box and the framing. The outer lip of the flashing folds over the cladding. The flashing is also compatible with all cladding systems.

Rinnai Marketing Services Manager, Audrey Smith, says consumers can be confident of a quality installation that complies with the building code. "The flashing prevents water entering past the cladding and into the wall, potentially rotting framing and damaging any house."

Both the flashing kit and installation methods meet the water tightness requirements of the NZ Building Code. Audrey says a black rubber seal surrounding the flashing provides an additional water seal and the flashing can be used at all depths of installation as it is moveable.

Listing some tips on installation, Rinnai says the recess boxes:

• Are usually installed by builders.
• Take about 1.5 hours to install.
• Are installed typically during external wall construction prior to cladding.
• Framing must be protected first with building paper then with sill flashing tape
• The rear wall of the box must be separated from the interior wall with suitable thermal break board, available from building supply stores.

"Space in the cavity must be allowed for plumbing under the recess box. Spacers must be used to prevent the recess box contacting the framing, allowing a 5mm clearance from all framing and building paper," Audrey says. Once the flashing is riveted in place, a silicone sealant is applied between the flashing and the outer wall of the recess box.

Rinnai has produced a comprehensive instruction manual for the recess box, which it states is a guide only. It warns that local councils, which issue building inspections and consents may have their own additional requirements for the installation of recess boxes.

Rinnai suggests that councils are consulted before installation if there is any doubt about compliance with building codes.