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Home > Archive > Building and Construction > April 2006 > residential building codes
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residential building codes
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| Chris Jarshant 2006-04-19, 4:21 pm |
| All,
The specific issue.. I'd like to move my spa heater
closer to the house, which would place it closer to
a window, which according to the pool builder must be
10' away.
Are the documents that detail this restriction freely
available on the internet? Can anyone tell me why this
restriction is in place?
If I move it without understanding the consequences,
and disaster strikes (I don't even understand the reason
behind the code!), is my insurance company likely to say
"sorry, you were 9.99999 feet from the window, instead
of the code-mandated 10 feet, so you're on your own" ?
Even without disaster, if someone comes to work on the
equipment at a later date, will they say "hey, you're
in violation of code, I'm not touching your equipment!"
for fear of somehow being liable since they knew stuff
was out of code but didn't report it or went ahead and
serviced the equipment anyway?
cj
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| 3D Peruna 2006-04-19, 5:21 pm |
| Chris Jarshant wrote:
> All,
>
> The specific issue.. I'd like to move my spa heater
> closer to the house, which would place it closer to
> a window, which according to the pool builder must be
> 10' away.
What is your "spa" heater? Is it electric? Gas? Wood? For instance,
if it's a combustion heater, there may be some codes that prohibit it
from being within 10' of a window. If it's all electric, I can't
imagine why. Local codes might be different.
| |
| Chris Jarshant 2006-04-19, 6:21 pm |
| 3D Peruna > wrote:
> Chris Jarshant wrote:
>
>
> What is your "spa" heater? Is it electric? Gas? Wood? For instance,
> if it's a combustion heater, there may be some codes that prohibit it
> from being within 10' of a window. If it's all electric, I can't
> imagine why. Local codes might be different.
>
Yes, it's gas. There will be a propane tank hooked up to it.
That's why I want to move it. Propane co. won't put tank any
closer than 10' from anything with electricity hooked to it
(which the heater has, for ignition purposes). The AC unit is
also in the vicinity, and there isn't enough clearance between
the AC and heater for the propane tank.
I've also looked into burying the tank which is possible but
expensive.
I just hate being told "that will violate code". I get the feeling
it's more like "we don't want to hassle with your special request,
we'd like to do it like every other job we do". I want the codes
to say "yes, you can do this" with confidence.
cj
| |
| Verizon 2006-04-19, 7:21 pm |
| Depending on which codes are in effect for your local area, this may or
may-not be correct information. The most widely referenced code is now the
2003 IRC. In chapter 19 of the IRC, Sauna Heaters, references Chapter 18;
which states that the requirements for *direct vent terminations* shall be
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
For Type L systems, you must stay away from the building at least 10'.
(Doubt you have a Type L type of vent).
For *mechanical draft systems*, it must discharge away from the building,
must not be located less than 4' from a window, and if it has a *power
discharger*, not less than 10' from lot lines or buildings. (M1804.2.6 (6).
If it were me, I would the installer to show me the code that they are
referencing. Also ask to see the manufacturer's instructions. Often these
will govern.
Dennis
"Chris Jarshant" <cj2112@cfl.rr.com> wrote in message
news:yGv1g.174392$g47.47063@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
> All,
>
> The specific issue.. I'd like to move my spa heater
> closer to the house, which would place it closer to
> a window, which according to the pool builder must be
> 10' away.
>
| |
|
| So, I could use any material? I have to clarify. There is already a pipe
to the outside, with a flapper right flat to the block. There is a fan
already. It is mounted in the ceiling. It has been a finished washroom for
years. I am talking about taking over where the pipe already goes outside,
placed horizontal. All this work/materials is outside. The extension away
from the current location is either straight up 4.5' or 8.5', either way,
leaving a pipe open to the elements pointing straight up. But a 4" pipe on
the outside of siding is going to be very obnoxious. Is there something
maybe shaped more like downspout, and how to install it?
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| whoops, sorry, lost my place
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|
| "Chris Jarshant" <cj2112@cfl.rr.com> wrote in message
news:yGv1g.174392$g47.47063@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
> All,
>
> The specific issue.. I'd like to move my spa heater
> closer to the house, which would place it closer to
> a window, which according to the pool builder must be
> 10' away.
>
> Are the documents that detail this restriction freely
> available on the internet? Can anyone tell me why this
> restriction is in place?
>
> If I move it without understanding the consequences,
> and disaster strikes (I don't even understand the reason
> behind the code!), is my insurance company likely to say
> "sorry, you were 9.99999 feet from the window, instead
> of the code-mandated 10 feet, so you're on your own" ?
>
> Even without disaster, if someone comes to work on the
> equipment at a later date, will they say "hey, you're
> in violation of code, I'm not touching your equipment!"
> for fear of somehow being liable since they knew stuff
> was out of code but didn't report it or went ahead and
> serviced the equipment anyway?
>
> cj
Building code is legislated by the municipality you live or build in. These
are freely available for viewing at the municipality. You have to
inquire/ask for it.
--
Jonny
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| JerryD\(upstateNY\) 2006-04-22, 11:21 pm |
| Put the tank away from everything and run a gas line to the heater.
--
JerryD(upstateNY)
Yes, it's gas. There will be a propane tank hooked up to it.
That's why I want to move it. Propane co. won't put tank any
closer than 10' from anything with electricity hooked to it
(which the heater has, for ignition purposes). The AC unit is
also in the vicinity, and there isn't enough clearance between
the AC and heater for the propane tank.
I've also looked into burying the tank which is possible but
expensive.
I just hate being told "that will violate code". I get the feeling
it's more like "we don't want to hassle with your special request,
we'd like to do it like every other job we do". I want the codes
to say "yes, you can do this" with confidence.
cj
| |
| mrsgator88 2006-04-23, 10:21 am |
| > I just hate being told "that will violate code". I get the feeling
> it's more like "we don't want to hassle with your special request,
> we'd like to do it like every other job we do". I want the codes
> to say "yes, you can do this" with confidence.
>
> cj
First, check the code for your town. Even the code allows you to be closer,
maybe get another installer to take a look. You might even need a permit
for what you're doing.
Second, anything that makes it into the code is there because "yes, you can
do it this way with confidence." An inspector told me once, if its against
code, then probably somebody, somewhere, died because it wasn't done this
way.
S
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| Verizon 2006-04-25, 11:21 am |
| The propane tank regulator & safety valve vents excess gas (esp. on hot
days). The electrical devices often produce a spark as part of normal
operation (switches and relays will produce a spark during a make/brake
operation unless "ignition protected" components are used. Even then there
still is a spark, just contained however.)
The gas company are just following national codes by keeping a source of
ignition away from a highly flammable substance. Like it or not, it's for
your own safety. (BTW, even if you own the tank, the AHJ probably will not
allow you to place it any closer.)
"JerryD(upstateNY)" <jerry@righthere.com> wrote in message
news:cCA2g.711$Gg.622@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> Put the tank away from everything and run a gas line to the heater.
>
> --
> JerryD(upstateNY)
>
> Yes, it's gas. There will be a propane tank hooked up to it.
> That's why I want to move it. Propane co. won't put tank any
> closer than 10' from anything with electricity hooked to it
> (which the heater has, for ignition purposes). The AC unit is
> also in the vicinity, and there isn't enough clearance between
> the AC and heater for the propane tank.
>
> I've also looked into burying the tank which is possible but
> expensive.
>
> I just hate being told "that will violate code". I get the feeling
> it's more like "we don't want to hassle with your special request,
> we'd like to do it like every other job we do". I want the codes
> to say "yes, you can do this" with confidence.
>
> cj
>
| |
| Verizon 2006-04-25, 11:21 am |
|
"Verizon" <webmaster@npcc.net> wrote in message
news:ujp3g.10$%N2.5@trnddc08...
> The propane tank regulator & safety valve vents excess gas (esp. on hot
Sorry, regulator doesn't, just the safety pop-off.
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| Andy writes:
Verizon's answer is a good one. If your installation of propane gas
starts to leak (age, materials, kids with baseballs) for any reason,
you
do not want it near a window or a place where an electric spark can
occur.... That is the basis for the "CODE".... They are trying to save
your XXX.......
Sure, it's a nuisance from an installation standpoint, and the chance
of an accident happening are very very very small..... But the death
on only one kid in an explosion that could have been avoided can
save you from despair OR being sued and remaining poor for the
rest of your life....
The codes have substance. They are not sacrosanct and Moses
probably never heard of them... But , if you decide to violate them,
you should fully understand WHY they were legislated..... If you are
willing to take the risk , then you are making a responsible decision.
Mostly, I follow the "CODE" myself. Sometimes I figure the risk is
too low and blow it off.. But I'll stand behind my mistakes.......
........ like buying insurance.....
Andy in Eureka, Texas
( If you upgraded the electrical in your barn from fence wire to
aluminum, you
might live in Eureka, Texas )
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