drilling test holes in direct vent

laxman

Recently received  a memo from   a Massachusetts state agency "The installation of direct vented gas heating systems  must include a suitable, resealable combustion   efficiency test hole in the flue pipe unless specifically prohibited  by the equipment manufacturer. The test hole of a direct vent system must be sealed in a manner that  allows access for future testing. "   I know the Burnham Alpine has  a designated test port.  Any other manufacturers that would specifically prohibit this ??

Tim McElwain

Be careful as to what they

mean by the term direct vent. Do they mean mechanical exhausting with a separate vent for air and a separate vent for flue gases, or do they mean a concentric vent with flue gases passing through the middle pipe and air being drawn in on the outside pipe? The code makes a definite distinction between direct vent and mechanical exhausting.



The Alpine is a concentric vent appliance with separation for testing flue gases inner pipe and a separate test point for cross contamination outer pipe.

laxman

dv

I believe they are referring to a 2 pipe system  with separate exhaust and intake