Water Heaters-Side Wall Venting

[Kungur]

Are there any side wall venting water heater that are not power vented?

[Masterplumb]

Are there any side wall venting water heater that are not power vented?

Yes. Direct vent heaters.

[JCsPlumbing]

Do manufacturers specs supercede fuel/plumbing code?

J.C.

[Masterplumb]

Do manufacturers specs supercede fuel/plumbing code?

J.C.

Not sure where you are going with that question J.C. but many inspectors will follow manufactures specs on things like c.s.s.t. and other things not written in the code book

[boillerman]

I can't find the one I used to refer to, but this one is the same except for it says SWG Series Power venter on it. I got this off the Fields Control website. It follows these Codes:
a. The exit termination of mechanical draft systems shall not be less than 7' above grade when located adjacent to public walkways.
b. A venting system shall terminate at least 3' above any forced air inlet located within 10'. (6' in Canada)
c. The venting system of other than a direct vent appliance shall terminate at least 4' below, 4' horizontally from, or 1' above any
door, window or gravity air inlet into the building. (Canada etc etc)
d. The vent termination of a direct vent appliance with an input of 50,,,
blah blah blah
e. The vent termination point shall not be installed closer than 3' from an
inside corner of an L-shaped structure.
f. The vent termination should not be mounted directly above, or within
3' horizontally from an oil tank vent or gas meter.
g. The bottom of the vent terminal shall be located at least 12" above
the finished grade or maximum expected snow height.

[JCsPlumbing]

I don't have a situation. Just curious as to how other plumbers' inspectors handle situations.

Here they would follow the code or whatever is more stringent.

J.C.

[boillerman]

Oops wrong thread. Sorry.

[Masterplumb]

Oops wrong thread. Sorry.

Well JC still thanks you!

[JCsPlumbing]

Well JC still thanks you!

It was for the other pic.

J.C.

[ToUtahNow]

I don't have a situation. Just curious as to how other plumbers' inspectors handle situations.

Here they would follow the code or whatever is more stringent.

J.C.

That is how everyone should be doing it.

Mark

[boillerman]

Some will allow you to go by manufacturers if it's in writing. Some won't if it's not in the code.

The pic with venting rules was for the Stupid Question post. I thought I had it opened while I
was looking for it, and uploaded the pic into this thread.

Direct Vent still has fans.

[DuckButter]

I'm sitting here, wondering why codes refer us to MFG manuals.
When a fixture is approve by any code, it's engineering is scrutinized, the code authority then approves it as being effective.
What might be approved for distance for a Bradford White tank, might not be approved for a Weil MacClain boiler.

Why?
The blower on the power vent/ Direct vent may be stronger on one or the other.
The output on one or the other might be more or less...the venting may have different heat capacities.
The sensors may be more or less sensitive.
In other words, I was mistaken to use a Burnham manual spec for a Water heater power vent terminal on the "stupid question" post.

Even the NFPA or local code might not be correct for the specific fixture.
As long as the fixture has been approved by the code specific to that jurisdiction, I'd adhere to MFG specs.

[DuckButter]

Are there any side wall venting water heater that are not power vented?

I think what you're asking is whether you can run a draft vent through the side of your house.
DON'T
Call a plumber.

[DuckButter]

Not sure where you are going with that question J.C. but many inspectors will follow manufactures specs on things like c.s.s.t. and other things not written in the code book

Absolutely, here at least, you have to have the manual on hand for boiler inspections.

[NHMaster3015]

In NH, manufacturers instructions and recomendations always superced code, including the nat fuel gas code and nfpa 54.