venting question

John_11

I have an oil-fired burner for hot water baseboard, and I also have a gas hot water heater. The vent on both units is connected inside the basement before it exists the chimney. Is this a problem? If so how do I solve this without a lot of cost? Install a flexi able pipe down the chimney for the gas hot water heater. Note: there is really no way I could put a separate vent on the outside of the chimney without going way-out of the way. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks John

ScottMP

John

In Mass the vents should enter the chimney seperatly. There is a section of the code that allows them to be joined together if there is no room for seperate connections. If the hot water heater is a standard gas hot water heater this really is not an issuie. Its done all the time. The only concern is that the piping is correctly installed and in good shape.

What made you concerned about this ?

Scott

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John_11

My wife is looking into changing jobs, which would result in having someone live in the house (home care giving). Before this can happen I would have to have the agency inspect my house. Someone from the agency came by to talk to us and while he was their he looked at the house to give us a heads up of anything that he thinks might need to be looked at. This was one thing he said he was not sure if this is ok. Both units are new and I installed them both myself, so he thought if it passed inspection before it might have been due to the grandfathers clause, since they are new, the clause it broke. That would only be true if this set-up does not meet code. So do you think I am ok. Where would I have to look in the code to prove I am ok with what I have? I live in Vermont and I do not have any room it install a seperate access to the chimney. It is only a single flue. Thanks for your help! John

Alan R. Mercurio

According to NFPA 211-2000 Table 6-8 Interconnections (Chimney Connector and Vent Connector)

6-8.1 Connectors serving appliances operating under natural draft shall not be connected into any portion of a mechanical draft system operating under a positive pressure.

6-8.2 Unless listed for such connection, solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be connected to a chimney flue serving another appliance.

6-8.3 Gas utilization appliances and appliances burning liquid fuel shall be permitted to be connected to one chimney flue through separate openings or shall be permitted to be connected through a single opening, provided they are joined by a suitable fitting located as close as practicable to the chimney and provided both of the following apply:

(1) Sufficient draft is available for the safe combustion of each appliance and for the removal of all products of combustion.


(2) The appliances so connected are equipped with primary safety controls and all appliances are located in the same room.

6-8.4 If two or more openings are provided into one chimney flue, They shall be at different levels, and the smaller connection shall enter at the highest level consistent with available head room or clearances to combustible material.

The following information can be found in the 2000 Edition of NFPA 211 page 211-27

I hope this helps you some!


Your friend in the industry,

Alan R. Mercurio

Oil Tech Talk

ScottMP

Thanks Alan

6-8.3 is the code I was referring to.

John would be concerned about you doing this work without a permit or inspection by the local authority. Many people have the ability to do this work, but with out inspection or permit, your liabilty insurance will have nothing to do with any issuies from a problem.

Scott

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Alan R. Mercurio

You're very welcome.

Your friend in the industry,

Alan R. Mercurio

Oil Tech Talk