Just What Are The Requirements When It Comes To Having A Water Heater In The Garage

You might reside in an area of the country where the majority of water heaters are located in the garage. It is okay to have water heaters in the garage however there are several factors that you will need to understand. The authority on determining what the requirements are for residential water heater installation as well as safety is the ICC (International Code Council). The following material is taken from the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) section P2801.6 and P2803.6.1 commentary.

Water heaters using an ignition source shall be elevated so that the source of ignition is not less than 18" above the garage floor. An ignition source may be plenty of things, including an open flame, electrical switch, open resistance heating coils, or an electrical igniter unit. Household garages have a high potential for volatile liquids, such as gasoline and also paint thinners that may spill or even leak from their containers. Due to the fact that the vapors from these liquids are heavier than air, they concentrate right above floor level, posing an explosion hazard within garages having a water heater. long island home inspection

Many electric water heater thermostats have enclosed contacts, however they are just not sealed gas tight. That is why, if ever an electric water heater with an ignition source located less than 18" from the bottom of the unit, it is mandated that the unit be elevated so that the ignition source (thermostat) is at least 18" above the garage floor. Electric water heaters having every switching controls located above 18" from the bottom of the water heater are not mandated to be elevated.

Gas-fired appliances must meet the elevation requirement for elevation above the garage floor, but have an exception to enable gas-fired appliances having flammable vapor ignition resistant (FVIR) design to be installed without elevating the unit.

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