Hot Water Heater Flue Pipe Clearance

Make the vent pipe section between the water heater and the chimney as short and as straight as possible.

Hot water heater flue pipe clearance. Gas fired heating equipment. All water heater venting systems use a vent duct or pipe also called a chimney or flue to bring exhaust gases from the water heater to the outdoors. Basement finishing projects are notorious for this code violation. Even if you keep the clearances at the entrance and exit from that space whatever section is inside must be double wall type pipe.

Fire clearances required range from 6 to 36 depending on the equipment. The duct may be metal or plastic depending on the type of vent system. Note some modern high efficiency water heater may have pvc vents. Water heater venting basics.

Single wall vents get very hot requiring a 6 in. 1 inch or 6 inches water heater vents generally are of two types. The minimum distance between the single wall vent pipe and combustible materials is 6 the single wall vent pipe cannot be concealed inside the wall or floor. A vent pipe is an important part of the gas water heater maintenance don t forget your schedule.

An exception is made for non combustible walls such as solid masonry or concrete. Atmospheric venting refers to a system in which exhaust from the water heater naturally rises out of the appliance s combustion chamber then travels up through a standard chimney style flue. A single walled vent pipe should be six inches away from any combustible material and a double walled vent pipe should be one inch away. 9 is a typical clearance between a gas fired boiler or furnace flue connector and combustibles.

The water heater vent pipe is too close to combustible material and should be serviced before the close of escrow. Here s an example of what i say. Metal single wall and double wall. Home plumbing water heater water heater vent clearance to wood or combustionable materials.

For gas fired water heater vents. In an attempt to maximize finished floor space when boxing off the water heater from the rest of the room people often don t leave enough clearance between the new wall framing and the vent pipes. This construction defect is considered a fire hazard. Metal flue fire clearance requirements single wall metal pipe flues gas fired equipment.

6 minimum clearance from single wall vent pipe or flue vent connector to any combustible material.